by
Hanna Klaus, MD

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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