Regulon - a hormonal contraceptive, which is taken for a long time. Therefore, women are often interested in the question whether it is possible on the background of the daily administration of hormones to drink alcohol. The instructions to the regulon, developed by the manufacturer (pharmaceutical company Gedeon Richter), it does not say anything.

How alcohol affects the liver

The liver - an organ, without which man can not exist. Reduced liver function is considered to be very dangerous for the life of the state, since it is degraded in the liver of all toxic substances that enter the body from the outside and inside of the body are formed as a result of metabolism Metabolism: The basis of life of all living things . In the liver, the expansion occurs or toxic substances to less toxic substances, or increase their water solubility, which makes removal from the body. An important role in the removal of toxins have liver enzymes.

Alcohol enzymatically degraded to acetaldehyde, which is a direct poison hepatotoxic (it destroys the cells of the liver). The liver produces an enzyme that breaks down the poison (atsetaldegidroksidazu), but if alcohol entered into the body too much acetaldehyde is not time neutralizes and kills liver cells. Liver cells gradually replaced by fat and connective tissue and loose their function. So develop severe disease - cirrhosis.

Disorders of the liver may occur in mild, moderate and severe. When light changes a person usually does not notice them, he continues to use alcohol and other substances that kill liver cells, that sooner or later will lead to serious consequences.

Of great importance in the use of toxic effects on the liver substance is heredity - the individual characteristics of the structure and functioning of this body. Some alcoholics with an active, almost daily long-term use of alcohol does not have a large probleem liver. Others are people enough random combination of two hepatotoxic agents to deal a heavy blow to the liver.

What is the effect on the liver regulon

Virtually all modern hormonal contraceptives have a more or less pronounced hepatotoxicity. Regulon is not an exception, even though it has a minimal liver toxicity. But the problem is that this drug is taken continuously. Therefore, if a woman has a family history of liver disease, damage her still possible.

Before the appointment of regulon (as well as other hormonal contraceptives), a woman must pass inspection, including checked and liver function. In the presence of obvious signs of liver dysfunction regulon contraindicated. But there are subtle hereditary features of the functioning of the liver, which by means of functional tests can not always be identified. They also are the "weakest link", which can lead to liver damage even at low toxic effects.

So you can or can not drink alcohol while taking regulon?

Alcohol, of course, does not reduce the contraceptive action regulon Regulon - helps to normalize hormonal Otherwise this would be specified in the instruction.

But in the instructions to the regulon has a clause which states that, while the use regulon with hepatotoxic drugs significantly increases the risk of hepatotoxicity, especially in women older than 35 years. The producers did not indicate in the instructions on the regulon combination with alcohol.

And as a producer of well-known pharmaceutical company Gedeon Richter, which values ​​its reputation, we can hope that this combination will give serious complications. But it's certainly if alcohol will be used only occasionally and in small quantities.

Rather, a small amount of alcoholic beverages rather weak on holidays will not affect health. But spirits and frequent reception of even weak alcoholic beverages (for example, daily consumption of beer) - it is dangerous. Also, do not forget about heredity, because no one knows what kind of surprise it can teach us.

Regulon - a quality hormonal contraceptive, which has very few side effects. However, such action is still possible in the case where the woman before the reception of the contraceptive passes necessary inspection and will not adhere to the rules of its reception. Women taking regulon, can not afford the excessive use of alcohol, especially if the reception regulon lasts several years.

Galina Romanenko

Because the drug Yasmin is designed to prevent pregnancy, it can not be taken by pregnant women. If you suspect that you are pregnant during treatment, stop taking it and contact your doctor immediately.

Contained in the hormone drugs reduce the production of breast milk, so their intake during lactation is not recommended. Yasmin can start taking after feeding, or at least six months after birth.

Side effects

Yasmin may cause the following side effects:

• Nausea and vomiting;
• Headache, migraine;
• Breast tenderness, breast enlargement;
• Weight changes;
• Fluid retention in the tissues of the body;
• Thrush (Candida);
• Change the duration and intensity of menstrual bleeding;
• Smearing bleeding; in rare cases - a very severe bleeding;
• Depression;
• Skin reactions;
• Decreased sex drive;
• Increased blood pressure;
• The appearance of brown spots on the skin, usually on the face (chloasma);
• Change the bend of the cornea, which can make contact lens wear uncomfortable;
• Abnormal liver function;
• Gallstones;
• Diseases associated with formation of blood clots in the blood vessels (eg, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, heart attack, stroke - see. Warning above

Bayer has spent about $ 750 million to settle out of court 3490 lawsuits filed by women taking Yasmin and some other contraceptive drugs produced by pharmaceutical giant. The bulk of the allegations against the company was that contraceptives cause blood clots deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism Pulmonary embolism - a dangerous violation And some other serious violations. However, the case is far from over. According to rough estimates, there are still about 3,800 lawsuits, which involve pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis - in the amount it will cost the company about $ 1.5 billion. In addition, Bayer filed against nearly 5,000 complaints about cases where Yasmin caused problems with the gall bladder, and even sudden death patients. Even after the amount of compensation will be determined, payments can take months, if not years.

German pharmaceutical company Bayer, known for the fact that in 1897 began to produce aspirin - put on the market a few years ago Yarin. New hormonal contraceptives containing drospirenone, a synthetic form of progestin, quickly became popular.

It is known that drospirenone increases the level of potassium in the blood, causing hyperkalemia - a condition which, in the absence of timely diagnosis may lead to disruptions of cardiac rhythm. As a result, it slows down blood flow and formation of blood clots, which in some cases lead to a heart attack, pulmonary embolism or stroke.

The plaintiffs argue that the Bayer management was aware of the risks associated with taking Yasmin, but adequate measures to inform them of the potential buyers were not accepted. Among the plaintiffs have similar women whose deaths allegedly been linked with taking Yasmin and other birth control production Bayer. The youngest of them was 17 years old. Meanwhile, Yasmin still being sold in the US and in other countries.

Drug interactions

If you are taking drugs such as aldosterone antagonists such as eplerenone, or potassium-sparing diuretics such as spironolactone, along with Yasmin during the first months of taking Yasmin advised to do some blood tests to check potassium levels in the blood. This is particularly important for people suffering from various liver problems.

The following drugs accelerate contained with Yasmin hormones liver enzymes, which is why the contraceptive effectiveness decreases:

• Aprepitant;
• Bosentan;
• Barbiturates;
• Carbamazepine;
• Modafinil;
• Nevirapine;
• Oxcarbazepine;
• Phenobarbital;
• Phenytoin;
• Primidone;
• Rifampicin;
• Rifabutin;
• Ritonavir;
• St. John's wort;
• Topiramate.

If you are taking any of these drugs regularly, Yasmin does not give you protection against pregnancy. Sometimes doctors recommend that patients who need these drugs, taken with Yarin another hormone drug Hormonal treatments - not only contraceptives . The dose of the hormone that gets the patient, while significantly increasing. Moreover, in such cases it is often advised to take three packages Yarin (21 tablets) without interruption. This is followed by a four-day break, and resumed the former regime oral contraceptives. The objective of such a regime - to reduce the chance of pregnancy during the reception is not very good compatibility with Yarin drugs.

When the patient is assigned a short-term intake of these medicines (two months), your doctor may recommend the use of both a barrier contraceptive Yasmin.

If you are appointed as rifampicin or rifabutin, the use of additional means of contraception is a must. Previously, it was considered necessary in cases where women were appointed by other antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, erythromycin or doxycycline. Now this requirement abolished because it does not prove that antibiotics (except rifampicin and rifabutin) decrease the effectiveness of Yasmin.

Emergency contraception drug ulipristal may adversely affect the effectiveness of Yasmin. Within 14 days after receiving it necessary to use additional means of contraception.

The drug orlistat for weight loss (OTC drug with the active ingredient - Alli, a prescription - Xenical), can cause severe diarrhea. If you are taking orlistat in conjunction with Yarin, and you develop diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours, follow the same instructions that for a missed dose Yasmin.

Yasmin may antagonize the effect of drugs for diabetes, reduce blood sugar Blood sugar Blood sugar - a very important indicator   - One of the main indicators of human health . Diabetics, who are starting to take Yasmin, the first time it is necessary to make regular tests to monitor possible changes in blood sugar. In addition, Yasmin may violate the effects of drugs against hypertension. During the reception, Yasmin is generally recommended to periodically measure the pressure, and those who are taking medications for hypertension, it is especially important to do. Yasmin may also violate the effect of diuretics, preventing fluid excreted from the body quickly and on a large enough scale.

Those who suffer from hypothyroidism (decreased thyroid activity) while taking Yasmin may be necessary to increase the dose of thyroid hormone, and regularly check the level of hormones in the blood.

Yasmin has the property to reduce the level of antiepileptic drug lamotrigine in the blood. Because of that seizures may return and become stronger than before, Yasmin, is usually not recommended for women taking lamotrigine.

Yaryna can increase following drugs in the blood, thus increasing the risk of side effects:

• Melatonin;
• Selegiline (it concomitantly with Yasmin to avoid);
• Tacrolimus;
• Theophylline (required dose reduction);
• Tizanidine;
• Voriconazole.