Contraceptives are medications or devices used to prevent pregnancy. They work by either preventing ovulation or by creating a physical barrier that prevents the sperm from reaching an egg.

However, certain medications can interfere with the effectiveness of contraceptives, leading to unintended pregnancies. It’s important to know which drugs can affect contraception and take necessary precautions to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to treat bacterial infections. It has been a long-standing belief that antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives like the pill, patch or ring.

Some antibiotics can interfere with the enzymes in the liver that metabolize estrogen and progestin, the hormones in these contraceptives, leading to a reduced level of hormones in the body. This can make the contraceptive less effective in preventing pregnancy. However, this is a rare occurrence and a majority of antibiotics do not affect hormonal contraceptives.

The only antibiotics that are known to affect hormonal contraceptives are rifampin, which is used to treat tuberculosis and some other bacterial infections, and griseofulvin, which is used to treat fungal infections. It is recommended to use additional methods of contraception like condoms while on these antibiotics to prevent unintended pregnancies.

Anti-fungal medications

Anti-fungal medications are used to treat infections caused by fungi. Similar to antibiotics, some anti-fungal medications can interact with hormonal contraceptives, reducing their effectiveness. Griseofulvin, mentioned earlier, is one such medication.

Another medication that can interact with hormonal contraceptives is ketoconazole, which is used to treat fungal infections. Women taking ketoconazole should use additional contraception to prevent pregnancy.

Anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsants are medications used to control seizures in people with epilepsy. Some anticonvulsants can also be used to treat other conditions like bipolar disorder and neuropathic pain.

These medications can interfere with hormonal contraceptives, making them less effective. The anticonvulsants that are known to interact with hormonal contraceptives are carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and primidone.

These medications increase the activity of enzymes that metabolize estrogen and progestin, thereby reducing their effectiveness. Women who take these medications should use additional contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies.

HIV medications

People living with HIV may take a combination of medications to control the virus and prevent progression of the disease. Some of these medications can also interact with hormonal contraceptives, making them less effective.

The medications that are known to interact with hormonal contraceptives are efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine, and ritonavir. These medications can reduce the level of hormones in the body, making hormonal contraceptives less effective. Women who take these medications should use additional contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies.

Herbal supplements

Many herbal supplements are available over the counter and are used to treat various conditions. Some of these supplements can interact with hormonal contraceptives, reducing their effectiveness.

The supplements that are known to interact with hormonal contraceptives are St. John’s Wort and saw palmetto. St. John’s Wort is used to treat depression and anxiety and can reduce the level of hormones in the body, making hormonal contraceptives less effective.

Saw palmetto is used to treat urinary symptoms related to enlarged prostate and can also reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. Women who take these supplements should use additional contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are medications used to treat inflammation in various conditions like asthma, arthritis, and skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. These medications can also interact with hormonal contraceptives and reduce their effectiveness.

The corticosteroids that are known to interact with hormonal contraceptives are dexamethasone, fluticasone, and prednisone. These medications can increase the activity of enzymes that metabolize estrogen and progestin, thereby reducing their effectiveness. Women who take these medications should use additional contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies.

Modafinil

Modafinil is a medication used to treat narcolepsy, a condition that causes excessive daytime sleepiness. This medication can also interact with hormonal contraceptives, reducing their effectiveness.

Modafinil can increase the activity of enzymes that metabolize estrogen and progestin, making hormonal contraceptives less effective. Women who take modafinil should use additional contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies.

Medications for acid reflux

Medications used to treat acid reflux and heartburn like omeprazole, esomeprazole, and pantoprazole can also interact with hormonal contraceptives, reducing their effectiveness.

These medications can reduce the level of hormones in the body, making hormonal contraceptives less effective. Women who take these medications should use additional contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies.

Smoking

Smoking can also reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives like the pill, patch or ring. Smoking can increase the activity of enzymes that metabolize estrogen and progestin, making hormonal contraceptives less effective.

Women who smoke and use hormonal contraceptives should use additional contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies.

Conclusion

It’s important to be aware of the medications and supplements that can interact with hormonal contraceptives and reduce their effectiveness.

Women who take these medications or supplements should use additional contraception like condoms to prevent unintended pregnancies. It’s important to discuss any medications or supplements taken with a healthcare provider to determine the best methods of contraception.