Birth control pills and alcohol interaction

Examples: Angeliq, Apri, Beyaz, desogestrel plus ethinyl estradiol, drospirenone plus ethinyl estradiol, levonorgestrel plus ethinyl estradiol, Loestrin, Necon, norethindrone plus ethinyl estradiol, norgestimate plus ethinyl estradiol, Ortho Tri Cyclen, Yasmin, Yaz etc.

What happens when you take medicine after alcohol?

Alcohol and medications can react in many ways. For example, medication can increase effect of alcohol. When that happens, you can feel drunk faster. Or you can feel drunk even after drinking less alcohol. Or your hangover can stay longer. Alcohol can also increase blood levels of medications. More medicine in your blood means you can get more side effects. Read more about how alcohol reacts with medications.

Can birth control pills increase or decrease blood levels of alcohol?

We don't know if birth control pills increase or decrease blood levels of alcohol. Discuss alcohol use with your doctor. Your doctor knows your medical history best. Your doctor can make recommendations about safe alcohol use.

Can alcohol increase or decrease blood levels of birth control medications?

We don't know if alcohol increases or decreases blood levels of birth control medications. Discuss alcohol use with your doctor. Your doctor knows your medical history best. Your doctor can make recommendations about safe alcohol use.

Can alcohol and birth control pills react in other ways?

Yes. Alcohol and birth control pills can react in other ways. You might not get these reactions. But be aware these can happen.

First off, you need to take your pill daily. You might forget to take your pill on your drinking day (or the day after). You might need to start the cycle all over again. Best to write down somewhere to not forget your pill.

Birth control pills can cause headache, nausea, and vomiting. Alcohol can make these worse. If you vomit out your pill, you will need to take another pill

Birth control pills can cause stomach acidity (heartburn). Alcohol can also give your heartburn. Fried food or spicy food with drinking can also increase stomach acid. People with heartburn GERD, stomach acidity, ulcers need to be careful

Birth control pills can affect how you feel (emotional, moody, sad, depressed). Alcohol use can also affect your emotions. Be careful if you use these together.

Birth control pills can increase your blood pressure. Regular use of alcohol for long time can also increase your blood pressure. Be careful if you have been using birth control pills and alcohol together for long time (several months or years).

Birth control pills can hurt your liver. Regular use of alcohol for long time can also hurt your liver. Taking them together for long time (several months or years) can give you serious liver problems.

If you have been drinking for several years, your liver might have become weaker. Your liver might not be able to metabolize (get rid of) birth control medicine. You can get more side effects from birth control pills.

Birth control pills can mess up your blood sugar and lipids. Regular use of alcohol for long time can also affect your blood sugar and lipids. Be careful if you have been using birth control pills and alcohol for long time (several months or years).

Special precautions

Did you just start taking birth control pill? Or did the doctor just change your dose? Your body still might be adjusting to the medication. Avoid alcohol till you know how the medication is affecting you.

The risk of serious reaction can be even higher on days when you are tired, dehydrated, had a long day at work, didn't have enough sleep. Be very careful if you drink on such days (read more about dangerous situations to avoid).

Frequent questions

Can alcohol make birth control pills ineffective?

No. Alcohol does not make birth control pills ineffective.

Can alcohol make birth control pills toxic?

No. Alcohol does not make birth control pills toxic.

I want to drink a lot of alcohol. Can I skip my birth control pill today?

Remember: Skipping your medication does not mean the effect of the medication is gone. Your body gets rid of medications slowly. If you have been regularly taking a medication and if you stop for one day, little bit of medication remains in your system. So even if you don't take your medication today, little bit of medication might still be in your system (or the effect of the medication might still be there). You can get a serious reaction with alcohol. Do not skip your medications and do not drink too much. Read more why skipping medications is a bad idea.

I am a regular drinker. I have been drinking for several months (or years). My doctor just prescribed birth control pill. What precautions I should take?

Tell your doctor about your drinking. Regular use of alcohol affects many body functions. For example, if you have been drinking for several years, your liver might have become weaker. That means your liver might not be able to metabolize (get rid of) birth control medicine. Talk to your doctor. Your doctor can test your liver. Then your doctor can choose the best birth control pill for you. Or your doctor might give you a lower dose of birth control pill.

What Planned Parenthood says about mixing alcohol and birth-control. Read here

Page last updated: 24-August-2019