A clinical trial has found that taking an anti-inflammatory drug alongside a widely used morning-after pill increases its effectiveness. Levonorgestrel, which is one of the most commonly used emergency contraceptives, works by preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries. However, its effectiveness decreases when taken 49 to 72 hours after unprotected sex. To address this issue, researchers suspected that anti-inflammatory drugs, which inhibit prostaglandins that are involved in reproductive processes, could further reduce the likelihood of pregnancy.
The clinical trial involved 860 women who sought emergency contraception within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Half of the women received levonorgestrel and an anti-inflammatory drug called piroxicam, while the other half received levonorgestrel and a placebo pill. The study found that only one woman became pregnant in the group that took the anti-inflammatory drug, compared to seven women in the placebo group. The anti-inflammatory drug group also had a higher prevention rate of expected pregnancies. The trial only included women not on hormonal contraceptives to focus on those at the highest risk of unwanted pregnancy.
The researchers state that they are unsure of the exact mechanisms by which the anti-inflammatory drug helps prevent pregnancy, but it is known that prostaglandins play a crucial role in reproductive processes. They hope that these findings will influence healthcare professionals to prescribe emergency contraceptives alongside anti-inflammatory drugs. Piroxicam is an inexpensive and widely available drug that can be easily prescribed with levonorgestrel.
The study also suggests that combining piroxicam with another emergency contraceptive called ulipristal, which works similarly to levonorgestrel, could be effective. However, further research is needed to confirm this.
Experts believe that these findings could lead to significant changes in clinical practice, but they emphasize the importance of confirming the results through additional studies. It would also be beneficial to determine whether this drug combination is effective for individuals who have missed one of their daily contraceptive pills.
