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Oral contraceptives, such as the pill, and the patch are examples of hormone-based birth control. Hormone-based birth control contains hormones such as estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancy as follows:
Yes. Certain antibiotics and medications may make your hormone-based birth control not work properly. Some medications can make it hard for your body to absorb the hormones in your hormone-based birth control. Other medications can make your body get rid of the hormones faster. If either happens, the lower levels of hormones in your body may prevent your birth control from working and result in pregnancy.
Medications that may affect your birth control include:
Some medications may also make your birth control stop working, even if you are only taking them for a short time.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist which medications may affect your birth control.
To reduce the risk of getting pregnant, use a barrier method of birth control, such as a condom, diaphragm or cervical cap, as a back-up in addition to hormone-based birth control. Barrier methods of birth control are not affected by medications.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about different birth control options. Ask how long you should use the additional form of birth control, even after you stop taking a medication that affects your birth control.
Always tell your doctor, pharmacist or health professional if you are taking hormone-based birth control.
For more information on how to prevent pregnancy while taking medications or herbal supplements, speak with your doctor, pharmacist, or public health nurse.
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