Do Common Medications Affect the Effectiveness of Birth Control Pills? - Obstetrics and Gynecology

More Info

---

When considering the effectiveness of birth control pills, it's essential to understand how various medications can interact with hormonal contraceptives. The birth control pill you mentioned, which contains desogestrel and ethinylestradiol, is a combination oral contraceptive that works primarily by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and thinning the uterine lining.


Common Medications and Their Effects on Birth Control Pills
1. Tums (Calcium Carbonate): Tums is an antacid that neutralizes stomach acid. It does not affect the absorption or effectiveness of birth control pills. However, it is advisable to take it at least two hours apart from your birth control pill to avoid any potential interference with absorption due to changes in stomach pH.

2. Pepto-Bismol (Bismuth Subsalicylate): This medication is typically used for gastrointestinal discomfort. There is no significant evidence suggesting that Pepto-Bismol affects the efficacy of birth control pills. However, if you experience severe diarrhea, it could potentially reduce the effectiveness of the pill due to decreased absorption.

3. Advil (Ibuprofen): Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for pain relief. It does not interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills.

4. Sleep Aid (Diphenhydramine): Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine commonly used for allergies and as a sleep aid. It does not affect the effectiveness of birth control pills.

5. Allergy Medications (Glycyrrhizin, Chlorpheniramine Maleate): These medications are used to relieve allergy symptoms. They do not have any known interactions with birth control pills.

6. Cold Medications (Acetaminophen, Ethenzamide, Codeine Phosphate, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Methylephedrine Hydrochloride, Caffeine Anhydrous): Most of these ingredients are common in cold medications. Acetaminophen and the other components do not affect the efficacy of birth control pills. However, if the cold medication causes vomiting or severe diarrhea, it could potentially impact absorption.


Key Considerations
- Antibiotics: The most notable class of medications that can affect the effectiveness of birth control pills are certain antibiotics, particularly rifampin and rifabutin. These can decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives by increasing the metabolism of the hormones in the liver. Most other antibiotics do not have this effect.

- Other Medications: Some anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and herbal supplements like St. John’s Wort can also reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Always consult with your healthcare provider about any new medications you are taking.

- Timing and Absorption: The timing of when you take your medications in relation to your birth control pill can also be important. For example, if you take a medication that causes vomiting shortly after taking your birth control pill, it may not be fully absorbed.


Conclusion
In summary, the medications you listed, including Tums, Pepto-Bismol, Advil, and various allergy and cold medications, do not significantly affect the effectiveness of your birth control pills. However, it is always wise to consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacist when starting any new medication to ensure there are no potential interactions. Additionally, if you experience any side effects or changes in your menstrual cycle while taking these medications, it’s important to discuss these with your healthcare provider to rule out any issues.