One of the more frequently asked questions about daily contraceptive pills is how taking other medications can affect them. While it would be great if we could go through life and not get ill, many of us will eventually need to take some sort of antibiotic, medication or over-the-counter medicine.
Most of the time taking these medicines will be temporary, but it’s still important to seek professional medical advice and inform the healthcare professional about any other medications you might be taking – including any contraception – so they can give you the most accurate advice.
During your life, there may be times when the medicines that you need to take will have an impact on your contraception. If you’re taking antibiotics, it’s always important to speak to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure that you have the most up-to-date information that is relevant to your current health needs.
Antibiotics Stopping Contraception
Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria or stop bacteria from growing. They are commonly used to treat bacterial infections in or on the body.
The term antibiotic is broad and covers many different types of medicines, across several classifications. While most antibiotics do not interfere with the effectiveness of contraceptive pills, a small number of antibiotics can reduce their effectiveness.
Two antibiotics that are known to reduce the effectiveness of contraceptive pills such as Opill® are rifampin and rifabutin. These antibiotics are commonly used to treat tuberculosis and certain other bacterial infections.
If you are prescribed any medication, including antibiotics, by a medical professional, it is important to tell them about your contraception, so they can check for any potential interactions.
Staying Protected
Emergency contraception that contains levonorgestrel, like Plan B or Option 2, does not interfere with hormonal birth control methods.
For additional advice please speak to your doctor, pharmacist or local sexual health clinic.
What About Other Medications?
Aside from antibiotics, there are other medicines and herbal remedies you may need to be mindful of as well.
Medicines that are used for the treatment of epilepsy, HIV, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and herbal remedies for depression can reduce Opill®’s efficacy.
If you are prescribed medication or are considering an herbal supplement, consult a healthcare provider to make sure that you are aware of any potential interactions. Some medicines and herbal remedies which are known to reduce the effectiveness of Opill and other contraceptive pills are:
- Epilepsy medications, such as barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, topiramate, primidone
- Tuberculosis medications, such as rifampin, rifabutin
- HIV medication, such as efavirenz
- Pulmonary hypertension medication, such as bosentan
- Herbal supplements that contain St John’s Wort or contain hypericum perforatum
All these medicines or herbal remedies make Opill® less effective. If you are prescribed any medication or are considering an herbal supplement, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist. They may advise you to use another form of contraception.
Please read your Opill® Consumer Information Leaflet carefully to review which medications and herbal supplements reduce the effectiveness of Opill. Always tell your pharmacist or doctor about any other medications you are taking so they have all the info they need.
Always speak to your pharmacist or doctor to give you clarity about additional measures that need to be taken, or any potential side effects that may occur.
We are fortunate to live in a time where our knowledge of health and medicine has come on in leaps and bounds. Opill® is available at most major retailers nationwide or online without prescription, so inform the pharmacist about any medication you may be taking when purchasing Opill®.
It’s best to have the correct guidance and information so that you can make informed choices about your health, your body and your contraception.
