The Pill - one for the ladies

cazaline

Hey everyone, hope everyone is doing well at the moment.

I have a bit of a query and hoping someone might be able to help me or point me in the right direction.

Have recently been prescribed the contraceptive pill (Yasmin), but the doctor was a bit reluctant to do so as she doesn't know what affect it has on Enbrel and Metho, she gave me the prescription anyway and to ask my Rheumy but he is on paternity leave at the moment, typical! Just wondering if anyone else knows at all? I take Enbrel for the RA and I'm due to visit the nurse in a couple weeks to be put on Metho, but it won't be until after I'm supposed to be taking the pill so thought I'd ask around here first. Anyone else taking it?

Any help appreciated.

Caroline xXx

valval

no sorry on hrt but different meds to you does rhummy nurse know they usually good

cthornley

hi Caroline
I can't answer for Enbrel but the contraceptive pill is fine with MTX,
in fact its often recommended as you must avoid getting pregnant whilst on MTX and this is one of the more reliable ways of avoiding it :roll:
Many of us who are of childbearing age are on it so you will not be alone.

I don't know why your GP deferred answering this and if they were concerned they shouldn't have prescribed it. Your GP should usually be able to check this as they all have a book called BNF which lists all the drugs available and their contra-indicators (side effects and drugs that shouldn't be mixed), pharmacies also have a copy so you can ask them to check when you pick up your prescription if you are concerned.

Hope that helps
Chrissie

cazaline

Thanks Valval and Chrissie that's really helpful! Yeah I thought the doc could check in the book too, but she said she knew every drug in it and knew Etanercept wasn't one of them. I have been on a different pill before a few years ago and there were no interactions with that one, came off it ages ago and want to go on a different one so fingers crossed this one is fine! It didn't occur to me to ask the pharmacist one I picked it up, silly me! I will double check with my rheumy nurse when I see her too, just to be on the safe side. But it is a relief to know there are others taking it too!

Thanks for your help .

Caroline xXx

madgirlzzz

Hi
I'm on methetrexate and humira and on the pill too, i too was advised to take to prevent pregnancy whilst on both of these.
But yes your right check with your rheumy nurse first
Gx

cazaline

Hi Madgirlz, thanks for your input. Helps to know others are in the same boat too. I haven't been able to get hold of my rheumy nurse over the phone and have already started taking it but will mention it to rheumy nurse anyway as due to see her next week.

Thanks.

Caroline.

rachelj

I am not sure about the pill, I am on the depo injection, and before my last one the nurse called the local rheumatology dept to make sure it was OK with anything they may decide to treat RA with.

Nothing like yet more medication to take is there

Rach

cazaline

Hi Rachel

Yes I know what you mean, I think all us 'Arthurs' are very much used to a whole variety of medications and the worry of possible interactions between them. It does seem the pill, injection etc is something that we don't have to worry about though .

Take care.

Caroline.