Re: Metabolife and BCP's? -- Thanks Dr Wang
From: AMD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 23 Oct 2000 18:16:57 -0500 (CDT)
Thanks for your response. I also wonder if the increased metabolism and
diuretic effect could have an adverse effect on the reliability of
BCP's.
For the record, I do not take this stuff, but know lots of women who do.
The possibility of higher risk of contraceptive failure would be
important to most of them!! This is probably not a good thing to be
taking the first few weeks of pregnancy, especially if you ignore the
1st missed period since that can be "normal" on BCP's.
For what it's worth, I sent an email to the medical director at
Metabolife asking about this and what data they have regarding
safety/risks in early pregnancy. I know I have seen the question here
of "I was taking xxx herbal diet pills when I found out I was
accidentally pregnant". It will be interesting to see if I get a cow
manure response or a helpful one.
Andrea
At Mon, 23 Oct 2000, j wang, M.D. wrote:
>
>Im no expert on herbals, but Ma Huang, ginger, giseng all have
>properties that can act "like" estrogen. Some of the others may too.
>Could be a factor.
>
>P.S. "bovine complex" ???!!!???!!!
>
>At Mon, 23 Oct 2000, AMD wrote:
>>
>>Does this help figure out the theoretical possibility?
>>
>>>From the web site:
>>
>>The ingredients in the dietary supplement Metabolife 356® include:
>>Guarana, Ma Huang, Siberian Ginseng, Lecithin, Ginger Root, Damiana,
>>Sarsaparilla Root, Goldenseal, Gotu Kola, Spirulina Algae, Bee Pollen,
>>Nettle Leaf, Royal Jelly and Bovine Complex. The exact amounts of each
>>ingredient are proprietary, but each tablet contains 12 mg of ephedrine
>>group alkaloids and 40 mg of caffeine alkaloids. In addition to the
>>ingredients mentioned above there is 6 iu Vitamin E, 75 mg Magnesium
>>Chelate, 5 mg Zinc Chelate, and 75 mcg Chromium Picolinate.
>>
>>At Mon, 23 Oct 2000, j wang, M.D. wrote:
>>>
>>>I don't know what's in the pills, but theoretically, they could
>>>interfere with absorption of the pill or the metabolism of the hormones.
>>>
>>>At Mon, 23 Oct 2000, AMD wrote:
>>>>
>>>>I saw a comment in another response about pregnancies resulting from OCP
>>>>failure while taking Metabolife (or similar diet pills). Any theories
>>>>why this would occur?
>>>>
>>>>--
>>>>AMD
>>>>
>>>--
>>>James Wang, M.D
>>>Assitant Clinical Prof.
>>>Tufts University School of Medicine
>>>
>>>**Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only
>>>and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship.
>>>This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to
>>>consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options
>>>and/or interventions.
>>>
>--
>James Wang, M.D
>Assitant Clinical Prof.
>Tufts University School of Medicine
>
>**Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only
>and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship.
>This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to
>consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options
>and/or interventions.
>
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