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Drugs Which Affect the Cervical Mucus
| DRUG |
USUALLY PRESCRIBED FOR |
SITE OF EFFECT |
TYPE OF EFFECT |
| Acetylcystene (mucomist) |
Asthma, Cystic fibrosis |
Local |
If sufficiently absorbed could increase or thin mucus. |
| Alpha Antitrypsin |
Cystic fibrosis |
Local |
Could increase or thin mucus. |
| Ampicillin |
Infections |
Local |
Could increase or thin mucus. |
| Antidepressants/Anti-psychotics:
e.g., Thorazine,
Mellaril, Triavil,
Parnate, Valium,
Prozac, Mao,
(Monoamino
Oxidase)
Inhibitors |
Depression |
Local & systemic |
A variety of menstrual disturbances ranging from menorrhagia to menopause have at times been reported with Prozac (PDR 1991). |
| Antiestrogens (see Tamoxifen or Clomiphene) |
| Antigonadotropins (See Danazol, Buserelin, Leuprolide) |
| Antihistamines |
Coughs, Colds |
Local |
Can decrease amount of mucus, can cause thickening or dryness. |
| Antitumor drugs:
e.g. Busulfan,
Cyclophosphamide, Cytotoxic agents,
Mercaptopurine, Chlorambucil,
Actinomycin |
Used to treat tumors. (Actinomycin is also used for sytemic fungus infection.) |
Systemic |
Suppresses ovulation, induces menopausal (high) levels of FSH, LH. |
| Atropine |
Antispasmodic |
Local |
Can decrease amount of mucus, can cause thickening or dryness. |
| Belladonna |
Antispasmodic |
Local |
Can decrease amount of mucus, can cause thickening or dryness. |
| Cimetidine (Tagamet) |
Used to treat peptic ulcers |
Local and systematic at level of hypothalmus or above |
A variety of menstrual disturbances ranging from menorrhagia to menopause. Inhibits histamine, also pituitary gonadatropins. |
| Clomiphene |
Ovulation Induction Antiestrogen drug. |
Systemic |
Reduces or suppresses mucus. A variety of menstrual disturbances ranging from menorrhagia to menopause could occur. |
| Dicyclomine |
Antispasmodic |
Local |
Can decrease amount of mucus, can cause thickening or dryness. |
| Estrogens |
Ovulatory dysfunction |
Local and sysstemic |
Produces mucus with fertile signs; may also produce strong cholinergic action, i.e., may cause dryness whether local or sytemic. |
| Expectorants (See Potassium Iodide, Guafenesin) |
| Oral Contraceptives |
Contraception |
Local and systemic |
Produce sticky, yellow or white opaque mucus. (Progestine effect) |
| Progesterones |
Ovulatory dysfunction |
Local and pituitary |
Produce sticky, yellow or white opaque mucus. |
| Propantheline |
Antispasmodic |
Local |
Can decrease amount of mucus, can cause thickening or dryness. |
| Tamoxifen |
Used to treat breast cancer. |
Systemic |
Antiestrogen, reduces or suppresses mucus. A variety of menstrual disturbances ranging fro menorrhagia to menopause could occur. |
| Urecholine (Bethanechol) |
Cholinergic agent - urinary retention |
Local and systemic |
Theoretically could thin secretions. |
Miscellaneous notes:
- Vitamin B6 may suppress Prolactin, a caution to nursing mothers. Some think that B complex increases mucus.
- Any increase in excercise, any rapid change in weight may suppress ovulation.
- Perfumed toilet paper, fabric softener, and tampons are said to increase or distort recognition of mucus.
- Smoking—active and passive—has been associated with high nicotine and cotinine levels in cervical mucus, which in turn are associated with dysplasia. No obervable physical change has been reported.
- See Physcian's Desk Reference for a complete listing.
Copyright @ 1999, Diocesan Development Program for Natural Family Planning, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The text and illustrations may be reproduced in whole without alteration or change by Catholic dioceses, parishes, schools, organizations, and newspapers, provided such reprints include the following notice: Reprinted from FOCUS NFP Series, Copyright @ 1999, Diocesan Development Program for Natural Family Planning, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.
This focus sheet was prepared with the kind assistance of Sr. Paulette Elking, D. Ph.
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