What foods should be avoided when taking drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol tablets?

Nov 11, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, when taking drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol tablets, it is advisable to avoid foods that may affect drug efficacy or increase the risk of adverse effects. These主要包括 spicy and stimulating foods, high-sugar and high-fat foods, caffeinated beverages, alcoholic drinks, and certain fruits and vegetables that may interfere with metabolism. A light and balanced diet is recommended during treatment with drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol tablets.

Under normal circumstances, when taking drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol tablets, it is advisable to avoid foods that may affect drug efficacy or increase the risk of discomfort. These mainly include spicy and stimulating foods, high-sugar and high-fat foods, caffeinated beverages, alcoholic drinks, and certain fruits and vegetables that affect metabolism. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Spicy and stimulating foods: such as chili peppers, Sichuan pepper, ginger, garlic, etc. These foods may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Since drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol tablets themselves may cause mild gastrointestinal reactions, combining them with these foods can worsen physical discomfort and negatively impact the medication experience.

2. High-sugar and high-fat foods: such as cakes, milk tea, fried foods, etc. Long-term and excessive consumption of these foods can disrupt hormonal balance in the body, potentially interfering with the hormonal regulation effect of drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, reducing contraceptive effectiveness, and increasing risks of abnormal weight gain and blood glucose fluctuations.

3. Caffeinated beverages: such as coffee, strong tea, energy drinks, etc. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and may exacerbate side effects like insomnia and anxiety that may be caused by drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. It may also affect the metabolic rate of the drug in the body, impairing stable drug performance.

4. Alcoholic beverages: such as white liquor, beer, red wine, etc. Alcohol can impair liver function, and since drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol are metabolized in the liver, drinking alcohol may increase the liver's workload, reduce drug metabolism efficiency, and raise the risks of thrombosis and menstrual disorders, thereby decreasing medication safety.

5. Certain fruits and vegetables affecting metabolism: such as large amounts of grapefruit, pomegranate, etc. Components in these fruits may inhibit the activity of drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver, leading to increased blood concentrations of drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, thus raising the likelihood of adverse reactions such as breast tenderness and irregular vaginal bleeding.

During treatment with drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol tablets, it is recommended to maintain a light and balanced diet, follow regular作息 (daily routines), and avoid the above-mentioned foods to ensure stable drug efficacy and safe use of medication.