In this article, we study the compatibility of Regulon and alcohol. The drug is an oral monophasic hormonal contraceptive. It is used by women to prevent an unplanned pregnancy.
Composition and dosage form
The drug is produced in the form of white tablets, which have a rounded biconvex shape. They contain two main active elements - desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. In addition, in the composition of such a drug there are certain auxiliary substances, which include:
- povidone;
- magnesium stearate;
- alpha tocopherol;
- lactose monohydrate;
- hypromellose;
- silica;
- macrogol 6000;
- potato starch;
- stearic acid.
Tablets are packaged in blisters of 21 pieces. In a cardboard package contains one blister with tablets and instructions for using the medication. Women often ask - can I drink alcohol with Regulon or not.
Pharmacological properties
The pharmacological agent due to the active elements present in the composition (ethinyl estradiol is an analog of estrogen, and desogestrel is progesterone) contributes to the contraceptive effect on the body. It inhibits the production of gonadotropin hormones and ovulation.
Also, the active elements impede the process of sperm movement in the cervical canal due to thickening of the cervical mucus and changes in the quality of the endometrial epithelium (inner layer of the uterine wall), which prevents the implantation of the ovum (attachment of a fertilized egg).
Also, such a drug has a positive effect on lipid metabolism in the female body, increasing the level of high density lipoproteins, contributing to the normalization of the menstrual cycle, reducing the intensity of monthly bleeding.
How fast is it?
After taking the medicine "Regulon", orally acting elements are rapidly absorbed in the systemic circulation from the intestine. They have the ability to bind to plasma proteins and evenly distributed in the tissues. The metabolic process occurs in the liver with the formation of inactive decay products, which are excreted in the feces and urine. Can “Regulon” be combined with alcohol? About it below.
Indications for use and contraindications
The main indication for the use of such a pharmacological product is contraception in order to prevent the onset of an unplanned pregnancy.
Clinically, a number of pathological conditions of the body are distinguished, which may be contraindications to the use of the Regulon medication. Their list includes:
- the presence in the body of pathological processes in which the likelihood of developing thrombosis inside the vessels, including arterial hypertension (high blood pressure), is significantly increased;
- the presence of precursors of thrombosis, as well as transient ischemic attacks, at the time the medication is started (or in the anamnesis);
- the formation of blood clots in arteries or veins with the occurrence of complications in the form of a stroke, heart attack or pulmonary embolism;
- a history of venous thromboembolism;
- migraine with the appearance of focal neurological symptoms not only at the time of admission, but also in the past;
- diabetes mellitus with signs of angiopathy (damage to blood vessels against metabolic processes);
- dyslipidemia - a violation of metabolic processes with a change in the ratio of lipid classes;
- inflammation in the pancreas (pancreatitis) with a high level of triglycerides;
- severe liver pathologies with a decrease in its activity, including cholestatic jaundice, hepatitis;
- the occurrence of jaundice (a high concentration of bilirubin in the blood) with the use of glucocorticosteroid drugs;
- gallstone disease, past or present at the time of taking the medicine;
- genetic congenital pathologies of the liver;
- benign or malignant neoplasms in the liver, including in the anamnesis;
- pruritus, damage to the middle or inner ear (otosclerosis) during pregnancy or while using glucocorticosteroids;
- malignant hormone-dependent formations in the mammary glands or organs of the reproductive system;
- vaginal bleeding, the nature of the origin of which could not be determined;
- pregnancy or suspicion of it;
- lactation;
- smoking of the patient after the age of 35 years, as this increases the likelihood of blood clots;
- intolerance to existing or additional elements of the medication.
Careful reception
With caution, Regulon is used for concomitant pathological conditions that increase the risk of thrombosis, smoking, heart defects, epilepsy, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, dyslipidemia, prolonged immobilization, severe depression, after childbirth, after volumetric surgery, and systemic lupus erythematosus , with ulcerative colitis, sickle cell anemia, etc. Before taking this medicine, you should make sure that there are no restrictions. It is better to familiarize yourself with the reviews on Regulon’s compatibility with alcohol in advance.
Side effects
Against the background of taking the drug, undesirable symptoms may occur:
- Cardiovascular system: increased pressure, the development of thrombosis of various localization with a high risk of developing vascular pathology (myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, cerebral stroke).
- Digestive system: periodic vomiting, nausea, ulcerative lesions of the intestines, jaundice associated with stagnation of bile in the departments of the hepatobiliary system.
- Sensory organs: increased sensitivity of the cornea, otosclerosis with a lack of hearing or its decrease.
- Nervous system: headaches, including migraine-like, depression, mood swings.
- Metabolism: decreased carbohydrate tolerance, fluid retention, obesity.
- Skin: chloasma, occurrence of nodular rash.
- Reproductive system: bleeding not associated with the menstrual cycle, amenorrhea after drug withdrawal, inflammatory processes, including those provoked by candidal infections, enlargement and tenderness of the mammary glands, galactorrhea.
- Allergic symptoms: rash, itching, Quincke's edema.
The occurrence of side effects from the heart and blood vessels, hearing organs, exacerbation, the development of porphyria are the basis for the cancellation of such a drug.
Interaction of Regulon with alcohol and consequences
As a rule, all hormonal contraceptives are used by women for a long time, excluding intervals for pregnancy and lactation. During this time, there are meetings with friends, holidays, where it is supposed to drink alcohol. Is Regulon compatible with alcohol or is it absolutely contraindicated?
In the annotation developed by the manufacturer of the medication, there is no information on the side effects of alcohol in combination with this contraceptive, and it can be assumed that such an interaction will not cause harm to the body and will not reduce the contraceptive effectiveness of the tablets.
However, given the effect of the drug on the liver and the occurrence of side symptoms in the form of a hepatotoxic effect, do not abuse it with prolonged use of alcoholic beverages. The breakdown of ethyl alcohol occurs precisely in the liver, while its cells suffer greatly from intoxication, and the influence of the drug can aggravate such properties of ethyl alcohol. Drinking alcohol while taking "Regulon" is better to minimize.
With hypertension
With hypertension, the simultaneous administration of a medication and alcohol can provoke a sharp rise in pressure, which increases the likelihood of a heart attack. With existing coagulation disorders, alcohol is contraindicated for women during oral contraceptive use, since both Regulon and ethyl alcohol have similar properties. They thicken blood, which is extremely dangerous due to the development of thrombosis.
Thus, alcohol and "Regulon" in combination with pathological conditions of the cardiovascular system are contraindicated. Nevertheless, small doses of alcohol, subject to infrequent use, can peacefully "get along" with oral contraceptives.
Since there are no contraindications to the use of weak alcohol and Regulon, there are also no peculiarities and distinctions in the time of taking these substances. But this applies only to low alcohol cocktails and drinks. Frequent feasts and excessive drinking of strong alcohol are categorically contraindicated.
Regulon and alcohol: reviews
The drug, when used correctly, is a fairly reliable contraceptive medication. Experts say that compatibility with alcoholic beverages of this remedy is permissible only on the condition of rare cases of alcohol consumption in small doses.
Patient reviews are very diverse. Women note the high contraceptive effectiveness of such a drug, its good tolerability. In rare cases, they had negative side effects in the form of severe headache, nausea and dyspepsia symptoms, impaired concentration, and malaise.
In general, according to patients, this drug does not provoke any serious disorders in the body and helps not only prevent an unwanted pregnancy, but also regulate the menstrual cycle.
Aggravation of side effects
As for the simultaneous administration of this drug with alcoholic beverages, the women who consumed them observed exacerbation of side effects, the occurrence of abdominal pain, severe weakness. They do not recommend drinking alcohol while taking the medicine. Now you know if you can drink Regulon with alcohol.