Interactions of oral contraceptives

If you're using oral hormonal birth control, you should know that oral contraceptives' interactions with other medications and supplements can increase your risk of birth control failure. Here are medications that can make hormonal birth control less effective.

Although it has long been thought that all antibiotics interfere with the effectiveness of hormonal birth control, it is the only antibiotic that has been shown to interfere with the effectiveness of hormonal birth control. Contraceptive is rifampin. This is a drug commonly used to treat tuberculosis and meningitis.
Rifampin can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, so if you are using birth control pills and have been prescribed rifampin by your doctor, you will need to use a backup birth control method such as a condom or diaphragm. prevent pregnancy. In addition, your doctor may recommend a backup method of birth control if you are taking other types of antibiotics.

Medicines used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, such as efavirenz, cobicistat, and rifampin, may interact with birth control medications. A class of drugs called protease inhibitors, which includes darunavir, nevirapine, nelfinavir, and ritonavir, can also interact with hormonal contraceptives.
If you are taking HIV/AIDS medicine, ask your doctor if your treatment will affect the birth control method you have chosen.

Barbiturates used for sedation, anxiety control, or seizures can affect the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Examples of sedatives include: Felbatol (felbamate), Lamictal (lamotrigine), Luminal, Solfoton (phenobarbital), Mysoline (primidone). Medications prescribed to control seizures in certain types of epilepsy and treat nerve-related pain, as well as Topamax (topiramate), prescribed to prevent migraines, can affect the brain. birth control.
Other drugs that can also make oral contraceptives less effective include: Trileptal (oxcarbazepine), Tegretol, Carbatrol, Equetro, Epitol (carbamazepine), Dilantin, Phenytek (phenytoin), Topamax (topiramate).
While most women can use birth control with lower estrogen content without affecting effectiveness. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that women taking anticonvulsants not use hormonal contraceptives with estrogen levels below 30 micrograms (mcg), because some anticonvulsants May reduce the effectiveness of combined hormonal contraceptives. Some women who are taking these medications may also consider taking Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) or an intrauterine device, such as Mirena.

Some medications prescribed for depression could theoretically alter hormone levels. Antidepressants reduce circulating hormone levels in the body, which can affect how well they work. However, this effect differs significantly from patient to patient. A decrease in the amount of hormones in the body can make the medicine less effective for some people, but not all. If you're taking antidepressants and are concerned about interactions with birth control, talk to your doctor for in-depth advice.

Antifungal drugs can also reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, although the World Health Organization states that women taking hormonal contraceptives can use these drugs safely. whole. Antifungal drugs associated with contraceptive failure are:
Mycostatin oral suspension, Nilstat, Nystex (nystatin), used to treat yeast infections Fulvicin, Grifulvin V, Gris-Peg, Grisactin (griseofulvin) , used to treat fungal infections of the skin, hair, scalp, and nails, as well as ringworm, itchiness, and tinea versicolor Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking these medicines. Your doctor will weigh in on the potential for reduced effectiveness of your current birth control and help you choose a backup birth control method.

Some diabetes medications, including Actos (pioglitazone) and Avandia (rosiglitazone), can interact with birth control pills. Talk to your doctor about the diabetes medications you are taking to see if they affect your use of birth control pills.

Research is currently ongoing as to whether certain medications used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and sleep problems, such as Valium, Diastat (diazepam), or Restoril (temazepam), can interfere with the use of combined contraception. Therefore, ask your doctor if the specific anti-anxiety medication you are taking will decrease the effectiveness of the pill.

Tracleer (bosentan) is a dual endothelin receptor antagonist used to treat people with certain types of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Tracleer has been shown to reduce hormone levels in the blood, which can put you at greater risk of becoming pregnant. Oral contraceptives, injections, patches and implants should not be used alone, as they are unreliable when used concurrently with Tracleer. You must choose and use two forms of birth control at the same time.
Besides, Tracleer can cause serious birth defects in the unborn baby. Before starting the drug, a woman must have a negative pregnancy test and must continue to have a pregnancy test for each month of treatment with Tracleer.

In addition to prescription medications, a number of supplements have been shown to reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraception, including:
Isoflavones in soy: Natural substances obtained from soy works to reduce the intensity of hot flashes associated with menopause and helps maintain strong bones St. John's wort: An herb or supplement touted for its ability to improve mild depression.

Emend (aprepitant), which is used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting can also affect the effectiveness of birth control. Although it is not a medicine, profuse vomiting and/or diarrhea can also reduce its effectiveness. If you are experiencing these symptoms or are taking Emend, use an additional method of birth control and contact your doctor for advice.
Once you understand the problem of the interaction of birth control pills, you should carefully read the instructions and consult your doctor, pharmacist before use. Taking the right medicine in the right dose and purpose always brings the best results for health.
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Reference source: verywellhealth.com