Dear Terri
Since many decades ago (1960s), some research indicated that some antimalarial, such as pyrimethamine, would be used as oral contraceptives (Sareen et al. Oral contraceptives. VII. Antimalarials as antifertility agents. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1962 Oct;6:174-9). Later, in 1990s other studies evidenced spermatogenic arrest and male infertility in mice in a dose-dependent manner with pyrimethamine (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1990 Feb; 87(4): 1431–1435; Res Exp Med (Berl). 1997;197(1):45-52; Reprod Sci. 2010 Aug;17(8):748-53; PDFs attached). However, none of those articles have addressed that question specifcly, there are no studies showing that antimalarials decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Very interesting topic to study and publish.
Finally, please if you consider this answer appropriate, please upvote it using the green up arrow click. Thanks.
Hi Alfonso,
Thanks so much for your answer ,PDFs and extensive knowledge. I first started taking Fansidar in the 1981, when the UM Derm. field team (FEST) was doing anti-fungal studies in Casabe, Colombia with the military, that were there to protect the Eco-petrol people... in a red zone. We would just buy it in Baranca...before taking the Ferry over the river. You must be familiar with that area.
FEST (field epidemiology survey team) was started during Vietnam by Prof. David Taplin, since 85% of US troops were not fit for duty due to skin infections. He trained 4 Green Beret MDs in the Everglades, and the team of 5 went to Vietnam. FEST has continued to do clinical trials for FDA approval in areas where everyone had the disease and we live with the people , so almost never loose anyone to follow up. When Taplin retired in early 2002, I left UM a year later and continued the work as GHAM (Global Health Association of Miami).
It was available OTC in many Countries where I have worked.
I'm glad that you think it is an interest topic to study and publish, especially since now it is available in the US and travelers, especially college females students, should be aware!
Excellent information! I already clicked the green arrow! Thank you!
Well, good to read that, and probably good to think in potential cooperations in malaria and may be other travel medicine topics.
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