Is Prozac Safe To Take With Birth Control Pills?

Quick Answer

There is no evidence to suggest that Prozac (fluoxetine) interacts with birth control pills (such as levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol). They are considered safe to take together.

Detailed Answer

It's always important to speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking any new medications, especially if you have concerns or are already taking some, so I appreciate you reaching out.

In regard to birth control pills (such as levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets), it is extremely important to be aware of other drugs that could alter their effectiveness, as this could have major consequences, such as unintended pregnancy.

One common way interactions with birth control pills occur is when other drugs induce (i.e., make it more potent) the enzyme that is primarily responsible for metabolizing some of the hormones contained in birth control pills (this enzyme is known as CYP3A4).

For example, rifampin, a medication used to treat tuberculosis and other bacterial infections, can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives via this mechanism (i.e., enzyme induction). Additionally, some medications used to treat epilepsy, such as carbamazepine and phenytoin, can also reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives this way.

Prozac (fluoxetine) is metabolized primarily by an enzyme known as CYP2D6, and studies show it can be an inhibitor of this enzyme.

However, the effects Prozac has on CYP2D6 aren't thought to have any effect on birth control pills because oral contraceptives are primarily metabolized by a different enzyme, as mentioned above (CYP3A4).

Several clinical trials found that fluoxetine doesn't significantly inhibit or induce CYP3A activity. As one example, in one study, researchers gave 12 healthy male volunteers both fluoxetine and terfenadine, a drug that is metabolized by CYP3A. The results showed that fluoxetine didn't inhibit the metabolism of terfenadine, suggesting that it's unlikely to affect the metabolism of other drugs that are also metabolized by CYP3A.

We also have some studies we can draw from that have specifically evaluated the effects of Prozac on birth control pills.

A study published in the journal Contraception reviewed the data from 17 clinical trials involving Prozac, and concluded the following:

There is no clinical evidence that concomitant use of oral contraceptives and fluoxetine affects the safety or efficacy of either agent.

So, based on the information we have available, overall, if you're taking birth control pills and have been prescribed Prozac, you can rest assured that the two medications are unlikely to interfere with each other.

Final Words

Thanks for reaching out and I hope you found this helpful.