Does Bowel Movement After Taking Emergency Contraceptive Affect Absorption?

Q: Does Bowel Movement After Taking Emergency Contraceptive Affect Absorption?

Hello, Miss： The Yejimi coated tablet contains hormones, with each tablet containing 3 mg of drospirenone and 0.03 mg of ethinylestradiol. <br>Drospirenone is rapidly and almost completely absorbed in the human body, reaching peak serum concentration approximately 1-2 hours after

Issues with the absorption of contraceptive pills?

Hello doctor, I would like to ask if having a bowel movement about an hour and a half after taking the emergency contraceptive pill (Ella) will affect the absorption of the medication? (I ate half an hour after taking the pill).
Thank you.

Nìmíng, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2020/04/20

Dr. Zheng Shuwen reply Pharmacology

Hello, Miss: The Yejimi coated tablet contains hormones, with each tablet containing 3 mg of drospirenone and 0.03 mg of ethinylestradiol.
Drospirenone is rapidly and almost completely absorbed in the human body, reaching peak serum concentration approximately 1-2 hours after a single dose, with a bioavailability of about 85%.
Food intake prior to administration does not make a difference; ethinylestradiol is also rapidly and completely absorbed, reaching peak serum concentration within 1-2 hours after administration.
During absorption and hepatic first-pass metabolism, ethinylestradiol undergoes significant metabolism, with an average oral bioavailability of about 45%, but there is considerable individual variability, ranging from 20-65%.
About 25% of subjects may experience a decrease in the bioavailability of ethinylestradiol due to food intake, while this phenomenon is not observed in other subjects.
Therefore, food intake has minimal impact on the absorption of this medication and does not cause significant fluctuations in blood concentration.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to call during business hours.
Thank you.
Consultation phone: 03-3698553.
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Reply Date: 2020/04/20

More Info

When it comes to emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), such as the one you mentioned (悦己), the timing of bowel movements after taking the medication can raise concerns about its absorption and effectiveness. Generally, ECPs are designed to be effective even if taken shortly before or after a meal. However, the timing of bowel movements can play a role in how well the medication is absorbed, particularly if it occurs very soon after ingestion.

Emergency contraceptive pills work primarily by delaying ovulation, preventing fertilization, or preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. The most commonly used ECPs contain either levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate. These medications are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, and their effectiveness can be influenced by how quickly they are absorbed into the bloodstream.

If you have a bowel movement shortly after taking the ECP, it is unlikely to significantly affect the absorption of the medication, especially if you took it with food. The body typically absorbs most medications within a few hours, and the gastrointestinal transit time varies from person to person. In most cases, bowel movements occurring one and a half hours after taking the pill should not lead to a substantial loss of the medication's effectiveness.

However, if you experience vomiting within two hours of taking the emergency contraceptive, this could potentially affect absorption. In such cases, it is often recommended to take another dose. If you have concerns about the effectiveness of the ECP due to bowel movements or any other reason, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.

In summary, while bowel movements can theoretically impact the absorption of medications, in the case of emergency contraceptives, a bowel movement occurring one and a half hours after taking the pill is unlikely to significantly affect its effectiveness, especially if you had eaten shortly after taking the medication. If you have further concerns or experience any unusual symptoms, it is always best to reach out to a healthcare professional for guidance.

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