Article
Is It Safe to Take MemoPryl With Birth Control?
MemoPryl with birth control is a pairing to clear with a pharmacist first. St. John's wort is one of the six names listed for MemoPryl, and health sources say it can weaken birth control pills. No study of the finished capsule exists, so ask before you start.
Prepared by the MemoPryl label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The short answer01
Is it safe to take MemoPryl with birth control?
MemoPryl with birth control is not a pairing to start on your own, because St. John's wort is among its six listed names. Federal health sources say this herb can weaken birth control pills (NCCIH, St. John's wort).
The herb amounts in MemoPryl are not published, so nobody can say how large the effect would be. Keep taking your prescribed medicine and ask your doctor or pharmacist first.
The reason02
Why does St. John's wort affect birth control pills?
St. John's wort affects birth control pills because it speeds up the liver enzymes that break down many medicines.
A medical digest lists oral contraceptives among its clinically significant interactions (NCCIH, herb-drug interactions). The herb is studied for mild to moderate depression, not memory (NCCIH, St. John's wort).
| Named herb | Link to birth control | Other cautions |
|---|---|---|
| St. John's wort | Can weaken the pill (NCCIH, St. John's wort) | Warfarin, antidepressants, HIV drugs |
| Ginkgo | None found | Blood thinners, seizures (MSK, Ginkgo) |
| Bacopa | None found | Thyroid hormone (Merck Manual, Bacopa) |
Other methods03
Does the warning cover patches, rings and IUDs?
The sources we read name birth control pills, and they do not sort out patches, rings, shots or IUDs.
Tell the pharmacist exactly which method you use. For wider cautions, see the MemoPryl side effects guide.
Before you start04
What should you do before taking a capsule with St. John's wort?
Before taking any capsule that lists St. John's wort, check the bottle, then ask a pharmacist. More on mixing herbs and prescriptions is in memory supplements and medicines.
- 01
Read the bottle first
This site has no Supplement Facts panel. When the bottle arrives, read its serving size, every ingredient name and the warnings before the first capsule.
- 02
Match it to the six names
The brief names phosphatidylserine, ginkgo, N-Acetyl L-Carnitine, St. John's wort, bacopa and L-glutamine. If your panel lists other ingredients, it is a different formula.
- 03
Show it to your pharmacist
Put the bottle next to your medicine list. St. John's wort and ginkgo are the two names that most often matter.
- 04
Note a start date and check in
Write down the date and how you feel about memory and focus. If the signs of memory trouble grow, see a doctor instead of waiting out a bottle.
If you still want to look05
Where can you see the current MemoPryl listing?
The seller's checkout shows the current listing, the pack options and the price. A 60-day window is reported; confirm the live listing.
FAQ06
Questions about herbal capsules and birth control
Can St. John's wort make the pill less effective?
Yes, health sources list birth control pills among the medicines St. John's wort can weaken (NCCIH, St. John's wort). Ask a pharmacist first and keep taking your pill.
Should I use a backup method with an herbal memory capsule?
Ask your prescriber or pharmacist, because the answer depends on the herb and your method. If a capsule lists St. John's wort, raise it at once and do not skip your regular birth control.
Who can check a supplement against my prescriptions?
A pharmacist can compare each name on a label with your medicine list (NCCIH, supplements wisely).
Who wrote this07
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the official site, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Find our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a U.S. order-link partner, not by the maker of MemoPryl. This site earns a commission when you buy through our order links.
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