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Oral contraceptives and delayed emptying: what the data shows

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Solved by vial_slope in post #9
Thyroid medications: semaglutide is associated with a slowing of gastric emptying, which might affect thyroid medication absorption if they are taken very close together. Separating them by a few hours is the conservative approach.

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CA
c.amankwahTL2 Moderator3 Jul 2024#1

Posting this under the heading it deserves: Oral contraceptives and delayed emptying: what the data shows Everything below is what sits behind that.

Reporting something rather than asking about it, in case the pattern is useful to anyone else.

Over 11 weeks I logged this consistently: date, dose, time of day, and a simple severity score from 0 to 4 for each symptom. That is 82 data points, all self-reported, all unblinded, and collected by someone who knew what he expected to find. Treat it accordingly.

The reason I am posting is that my experience does not match the shape people usually describe here, and I would like to know whether that is unusual or whether the usual description is just the loudest version.

0 likes 2.1y
WM
w.moreauTL2 Moderator4 Jul 2024#2

On the opening post — agreed on the reasoning, with one qualification.

Alcohol: no absolute contraindication but it raises gastrointestinal irritation risk and this drug class already does that. The conservative position during titration is to limit it.

0 likes 2.1y
DE
d.eriksenTL2 Moderator4 Jul 2024#3

Picking up post #2: that is the part I would want checked first.

Oral medications versus time: if you take an oral medication 30 minutes before semaglutide (which slows gastric emptying), the delayed stomach emptying affects when and where the oral medication is absorbed. Separating by a larger interval (1 to 2 hours) usually resolves this.

9 likes 2.1y
MS
m.strand_rphTL3Pharmacist5 Jul 2024#4

SGLT2 inhibitors: frequently co-administered and relevant to renal and cardiovascular discussion, not to interactions. There is no pharmacokinetic interaction of concern.

21 likes 2.1y
BV
b.vanheckeTL2 Moderator5 Jul 2024#5
d.eriksen, post #3: Picking up post #2: that is the part I would want checked first. Oral medications versus time: if you take an oral medication 30 minutes before semaglutide (which slows gastric emptying), the delayed stomach emptying affects when and where the oral medication is absorbed. Separating by a larger interval (1 to 2 hours) usually resolves… Go to post

Food interactions: most interactions are absorption interactions. Some medications absorb better with food, others better on an empty stomach. With an incretin agonist that already slows gastric emptying, food effects interact with the drug effect as well.

29 likes in reply to #3 2.1y
PE
ppm_errorTL3Analytical chemist5 Jul 2024#6
m.strand_rph, post #4: SGLT2 inhibitors: frequently co-administered and relevant to renal and cardiovascular discussion, not to interactions. There is no pharmacokinetic interaction of concern. Go to post

Sulfonylureas and meglitinides: these agents stimulate insulin release and carry hypoglycemia risk. Combining them with semaglutide or tirzepatide requires dose adjustment of the secretagogue and close monitoring. The combination is not contraindicated but requires active management.

0 likes in reply to #4 2.1y
AP
a.pereiraTL2 Moderator6 Jul 2024#7

This follows post #4 rather than contradicting it.

Insulin interaction: semaglutide and tirzepatide are not contraindicated with insulin but the combination carries hypoglycemia risk if insulin doses are not adjusted. That is a reason for close monitoring, not for avoiding the combination.

5 likes 2.1y
P
preregisteredTL3Research methods6 Jul 2024#8

I read post #6 twice before replying, because I had assumed the opposite.

Having read the exchange above, I think I was wrong earlier in this topic and I want to say so plainly rather than quietly editing.

The correction was fair and I had been repeating something I had not checked carefully enough.

14 likes 2.1y
VS
vial_slopeTL3Regular Solution6 Jul 2024#9

Thyroid medications: semaglutide is associated with a slowing of gastric emptying, which might affect thyroid medication absorption if they are taken very close together. Separating them by a few hours is the conservative approach.

22 likes 2.1y
VM
v.malinowskiTL2 Moderator6 Jul 2024 · edited#10

Vitamins: most vitamins have no significant interaction. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) might be affected by the slowing of fat absorption during weight loss, but that is a nutritional consequence rather than an interaction.

0 likes 2.1y
MD
m.dumitruTL2 Moderator7 Jul 2024#11

Coming back to post #9, because the follow-up matters more than the original answer.

Anticoagulants: no direct interaction with the compounds in this class. Weight loss and body composition changes might affect the clearance or effect of warfarin if you are on it; monitoring INR more frequently during weight loss is reasonable.

11 likes 2.1y
W
WickramasingheTL2Member7 Jul 2024#12
vial_slope, post #9: Thyroid medications: semaglutide is associated with a slowing of gastric emptying, which might affect thyroid medication absorption if they are taken very close together. Separating them by a few hours is the conservative approach. Go to post

Separation timing versus clinically important interaction: a separation timing inconvenience (taking one medication 2 hours before or after another) is not the same as a clinically important interaction. Both can reduce absorption of one or the other, but only true interactions require active management.

3 likes in reply to #9 2.1y
DN
d.ndiayeTL2 Moderator7 Jul 2024#13

Two things before anyone answers the substance.

First, the context in the first post is clear and specific. Second, the question is framed so that an answer can actually address it. Both are the norm here and both matter more than they sound.

0 likes 2.1y
LA
l.aaltonenTL3Regular7 Jul 2024#14

post #13 answers the question as asked. The question underneath it is different.

Metformin: commonly co-administered and relevant to gastrointestinal tolerability. Gastrointestinal side effects can overlap and additive. Taking them separately or adjusting one if tolerability is poor are reasonable approaches.

32 likes 2.1y
BN
b.nwosuTL2 Moderator8 Jul 2024#15

I read post #13 twice before replying, because I had assumed the opposite.

Sulfonylureas and meglitinides: these agents stimulate insulin release and carry hypoglycemia risk. Combining them with semaglutide or tirzepatide requires dose adjustment of the secretagogue and close monitoring. The combination is not contraindicated but requires active management.

7 likes 2.1y
BP
baseline_peakTL2Member8 Jul 2024#16
m.dumitru, post #11: Coming back to post #9, because the follow-up matters more than the original answer. Anticoagulants: no direct interaction with the compounds in this class. Weight loss and body composition changes might affect the clearance or effect of warfarin if you are on it; monitoring INR more frequently during weight loss is reasonable. Go to post

This follows post #13 rather than contradicting it.

Food interactions: most interactions are absorption interactions. Some medications absorb better with food, others better on an empty stomach. With an incretin agonist that already slows gastric emptying, food effects interact with the drug effect as well.

1 like in reply to #11 2.1y
BJ
b.jansenTL2 Moderator8 Jul 2024#17

Metformin: commonly co-administered and relevant to gastrointestinal tolerability. Gastrointestinal side effects can overlap and additive. Taking them separately or adjusting one if tolerability is poor are reasonable approaches.

0 likes 2.1y
Z
ZieglerTL3Regular8 Jul 2024#18

Insulin interaction: semaglutide and tirzepatide are not contraindicated with insulin but the combination carries hypoglycemia risk if insulin doses are not adjusted. That is a reason for close monitoring, not for avoiding the combination.

24 likes 2.1y
FR
f.rasmussenTL2 Moderator9 Jul 2024 · edited#19
b.vanhecke, post #5: Food interactions: most interactions are absorption interactions. Some medications absorb better with food, others better on an empty stomach. With an incretin agonist that already slows gastric emptying, food effects interact with the drug effect as well. Go to post

Practical note that does not fit anywhere else. Whatever you conclude from this topic, write down what you did and when. The single most useful thing in your own records is not any individual result; it is that they are dated and consecutive.

23 likes in reply to #5 2.1y
MD
m.dalgaardTL3Regular9 Jul 2024#20

Oral medications versus time: if you take an oral medication 30 minutes before semaglutide (which slows gastric emptying), the delayed stomach emptying affects when and where the oral medication is absorbed. Separating by a larger interval (1 to 2 hours) usually resolves this.

10 likes 2.1y
HS
hana.satoTL4 Moderator9 Jul 2024#21
vial_slope, post #9: Thyroid medications: semaglutide is associated with a slowing of gastric emptying, which might affect thyroid medication absorption if they are taken very close together. Separating them by a few hours is the conservative approach. Go to post

Picking up post #18: that is the part I would want checked first.

Supplements and herbs: many have no established interaction. Some do. If you are taking something unusual, checking a reference (like a pharmacist) is more useful than guessing from forum discussion.

14 likes in reply to #9 2.1y
CO
c.ostergaardTL2 Moderator9 Jul 2024#22

Alcohol: no absolute contraindication but it raises gastrointestinal irritation risk and this drug class already does that. The conservative position during titration is to limit it.

29 likes 2.1y
EP
e.piresTL2 Moderator10 Jul 2024#23

SGLT2 inhibitors: frequently co-administered and relevant to renal and cardiovascular discussion, not to interactions. There is no pharmacokinetic interaction of concern.

0 likes 2y
FA
f.amankwahTL2 Moderator10 Jul 2024#24

Two things before anyone answers the substance.

First, the context in the first post is clear and specific. Second, the question is framed so that an answer can actually address it. Both are the norm here and both matter more than they sound.

5 likes 2y
TW
t.wojcikTL2 Moderator10 Jul 2024#25

This follows post #22 rather than contradicting it.

Thyroid medications: semaglutide is associated with a slowing of gastric emptying, which might affect thyroid medication absorption if they are taken very close together. Separating them by a few hours is the conservative approach.

9 likes 2y
AK
a.kowalskiTL2 Moderator10 Jul 2024#26

I read post #24 twice before replying, because I had assumed the opposite.

Vitamins: most vitamins have no significant interaction. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) might be affected by the slowing of fat absorption during weight loss, but that is a nutritional consequence rather than an interaction.

21 likes 2y
VB
v.bhattacharyaTL2 Moderator11 Jul 2024#27

I disagree with the reply above, and I think the disagreement is substantive rather than terminological.

The distinction being drawn does not survive when you look at the published data for this specific question. I would be glad to be shown wrong on this, because the version I am arguing against is more convenient.

0 likes 2y
JD
j.dahlbergTL2 Moderator11 Jul 2024#28
w.moreau, post #2: On the opening post — agreed on the reasoning, with one qualification. Alcohol: no absolute contraindication but it raises gastrointestinal irritation risk and this drug class already does that. The conservative position during titration is to limit it. Go to post

Anticoagulants: no direct interaction with the compounds in this class. Weight loss and body composition changes might affect the clearance or effect of warfarin if you are on it; monitoring INR more frequently during weight loss is reasonable.

2 likes in reply to #2 2y
MY
m.yilmazTL2 Moderator11 Jul 2024#29

Separation timing versus clinically important interaction: a separation timing inconvenience (taking one medication 2 hours before or after another) is not the same as a clinically important interaction. Both can reduce absorption of one or the other, but only true interactions require active management.

6 likes 2y
SD
s.duarteTL2 Moderator11 Jul 2024#30

Two things before anyone answers the substance.

First, the context in the first post is clear and specific. Second, the question is framed so that an answer can actually address it. Both are the norm here and both matter more than they sound.

15 likes 2y