Oral contraceptive steroids increased the residence time of caffeine in 9 young women by a factor of 2. The effect was already manifested during the first cycle 2 weeks after starting oral contraceptive steroids (OCS) and was slightly increased in the second cycle, after 6 weeks on OCS. Toxic effects attributed to oral contraceptive steroids may in part be indirect and due to prolonged retention of absorbed toxic agents to which women are exposed.
PIP: Oral contraceptives (OCs) increased the residence time of caffeine in 9 young women by a factor of 2. The effect was already manifested during the 1st cycle 2 weeks after beginning OCs and was slightly increased in the 2nd cycle, after 6 weeks on OCs. Toxic effects attributed to OCs may in part be indirect and due to prolonged retention of absorbed toxic agents to which women are exposed.