Re: Metabolife and BCP's? -- Response from the manufacturer
From: AMD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 24 Oct 2000 16:29:45 -0500 (CDT)
I did get an email back from a nurse at Metabolife. The guts of her
response is as follows:
--
===================================
There is no
substantiated medical evidence that Metabolife affects the action of
oral
contraceptives, however, we do recommend consultation with your personal
physician prior to beginning the program.
====================================
Well, that's the BS answer I expected, and it was followed by 2 pages of
advertisement for their other products. No harm in asking though....
Andrea
t Mon, 23 Oct 2000, AMD wrote:
>
>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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