Medications and the Pill

Recent studies have shown that certain drugs, when taken for other medical problems, may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.

If you are consulting a physician for any medical problem, inform the physician that your are taking an oral contraceptive.

Become familiar with the drugs listed in the table below. They may reduce the effectiveness of the Pill.

Ask your doctor about an alternative method of birth control while being treated with any of these drugs.

The following list of medications, while not a comprehensive list does show many of the common medications that can interfere with the action of the birth control pill.

YOU SHOULD CHECK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN AND/OR PHARMACIST BEFORE TAKING ANY MEDICATION.

Genrally an additional method of contraception such as condoms or abstinence should be used while on other medications, such as antibiotics, during the course of the medication and for 1 week afterwards.

IF IN DOUBT, ASK!

Drugs are listed according to generic names. Examples of trade names are listed in brackets.

Antibiotics:
Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol	(Amoxil, Clavulen)
Cipro, Doxycycline	(Vibramycin, Vibra-tabs)
Erythromycin, Griseofulvin	(Biaxin, Eryc, PCE)
Metronidazole, Neomycin	(Flagyl)
Nitrofurantoin, Penicillin	(Macrodantin, PenVee)
Sulfonamides, Tetracycline	(Bactrim, Septra)
Rifampin, Isoniazid	(INH)

II Anticonvulsants:
Phenobarbital	(Luminal)
Primidone	(Mysoline)
Phenytoin	(Dilantin)
Ethosuximide	(Zarontin)
Carbamazepine	(Tegretol)
Butabarbital	(Butisol)

III Anti-inflammatories:
Phenylbutazone	(Butazolidin, Intrabutazone)
Oxyphenbutazone	(Tanderil)

IV Antihistamines:
Promethazine (Phenergan)	(Phenergan)

V Sedatives and Hypnotics:
Barbituates (all)	(Sodium Barbitol, Seconal, Tuinal, Butisol)
Alprazolam, Lorazepam	(Xanax, Ativan)

Tranquilizers:
Chlorpromazine	(Largactil)
Meprobamate	(Equanil, Miltown)
Benzodiazepines:
Chlordiazepoxide	(Librium)
Diazepam	(Valium)

VI Migraine Therapy
Vasoconstrictors:
Dihydroergotamine	(Cafergot, Bellergal, Wigraine)

VII Antacids:
Antacids	(Maalox, Diovol )*

VIII Other:
Meprobamate (282 mep)

*(May reduce absorption of the pill - should not be taken with the pill, however may be taken 3 hrs. after the pill.)

Spotting or breakthrough bleeding may be a warning sign of contaceptive failure

Some Methods of Contraception Alter Nutrient Needs:

There is a need for nutrition education related to the method of contraception. Oral Contraceptives appear to increase requirements, especially for Folacin, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), and Vitamin C. When the increased requirement is not met side effects like headache, depression, drowsiness, tiredness, nausea or irritability may occur.

Good food practices will help your body cope with the nutrient related side effects. Follow Canada’s Food Guide every day. Pay special attention to the increased requirement for Folacin and Vitamin B6 by choosing foods such as whole grain cereals, liver, spinach and fresh vegetables. For Vitamin C enjoy extra vegetables and citrus fruits. These food choices will not only supply additional Folacin, Vitamins B6 and C, but other important nutrients too.

The Pill influences metabolism in may different ways. Some nutrients such as Vitamin A, Iron and Copper appear to be retained better because of the Pill.

A GOOD RULE:

It is never a good idea to start popping vitamin and mineral supplements at random. Generally, women on the pill do not need supplements if they choose their food carefully.

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