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Beware ‘natural’ hangover remedy that could lead to accidental pregnancy: warning
Health experts warn that activated charcoal, sometimes taken as a “natural” hangover remedy, can reduce the absorption of oral contraceptive pills and may make them less effective. The warning matters because the supplement is widely marketed for everyday uses despite limited evidence that it prevents hangovers or provides other claimed benefits.
Activated charcoal is used in some poisoning and overdose emergencies, but it does not work for alcohol or several other substances. A study cited in the article found birth control efficacy was not affected when charcoal was taken three hours after a pill and at least 12 hours before the next dose; IUDs, implants, patches, rings and injections are not affected because they bypass the digestive system. The supplement is not reviewed by the FDA before sale and can also cause digestive problems or, if inhaled, serious lung issues.
In short
- Activated charcoal may interfere with oral contraceptive pills.
- Evidence for its hangover benefits is limited.
- Other contraceptive methods that bypass digestion are unaffected.
Explained simply
Activated charcoal is a substance used in some poisoning emergencies because it can bind to certain chemicals in the gut and limit their absorption. It is also sold as a supplement, including for hangovers, though evidence for those uses is limited.
Because charcoal can affect what the gut absorbs, taking it close to an oral contraceptive pill may reduce the amount of medicine absorbed and make the pill less effective. This concern does not apply in the same way to contraception that bypasses the digestive system, such as implants, coils, patches, rings and injections.
Supplements are not reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration before they go on sale, and activated charcoal can cause side effects. Understanding how it may interact with medicines matters to people who use the supplement and rely on oral contraception.