Ethanol metabolism in women taking oral contraceptives

Abstract

The relationship between oral contraceptives and ethanol metabolism in women was examined in a group of 40 female social drinkers between the ages of 21 and 30. Twenty women taking oral contraceptives and 20 women not taking oral contraceptives were given a moderate dose of ethanol (0.52 g/kg) during the menstrual, intermenstrual and premenstrual phases of the menstrual cycle. The group of women taking oral contraceptives demonstrated a significantly decreased ethanol elimination rate (105 mg/kg/hr) than the women not taking oral contraceptives (121 mg/kg/hr, p less than .005). Ethanol disappearance rate also was significantly decreased for women taking oral contraceptives (0.015%/hr) than women not taking them (0.019%/hr, p less than .001). These results were consistent across the three phases of the menstrual cycle and when body leanness was taken into consideration. The decreased rate of ethanol metabolism in women taking oral contraceptives is consistent with reports of other drugs having decreased metabolic rates in women taking birth control pills. These results suggest that women taking oral contraceptives should be cautioned concerning their possible interaction with ethanol, as well as other drugs.

PIP: The relationship between oral contraceptives (OCs) and ethanol metabolism in women was examined in a group of 40 female social drinkers between the ages of 21-30. 20 women taking OCs and 20 not taking OCs were given a moderate dose of ethanol (0.52 g/kg) during the menstrual, intermenstrual, and premenstrual phases of the menstrual cycle. The group of women taking OCs demonstrated a significantly decreased ethanol elimination rate (105 mg/kg/hour) than those not taking OCs (121 mg/kg/hour, P.005). Ethanol disappearance rate was also significantly decreased for women taking OCs (0.015%/hour) than women taking not them (0.019%/hour, P.001). These results were consistent across the 3 phases of the menstrual cycle and when body leanness was taken into consideration. The decreased rate of ethanol metabolism in women taking OCs is consistent with reports of other drugs having decreased metabolic rates in women taking birth control pills. These results suggest that women taking OCs should be cautioned concerning their possible interaction with ethanol, as well as other drugs.