Can Allegra/allergy Medications Affect My Birth Control Pills
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Allergy Medication And Birth Control
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.
Oral Birth Control And Thyroid Hormone Medication Absorption
Thyroid hormone replacement medication, such as levothyroxine, should be taken on an empty stomach to maximize absorption. It is best to take this medication 30-60 minutes before taking any other drugs or eating or drinking. This window of time allows your gut to absorb and circulate the synthetic hormone before other medicines and foods can interfere.
If you are taking OCP’s, the same rules apply: take your thyroid hormone medication separately from your birth control pill. This instruction is especially relevant for women using OCP’s with estrogen as this hormone increases your need for synthetic thyroid hormone. Always take your medication as prescribed by your doctor.
If you start an OCP, your doctor will likely want to re-test your thyroid function a few weeks after you begin to ensure you are getting an adequate dose of thyroid hormone.
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What Should I Tell My Health Care Provider Before I Take This Medicine
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- Cushing’s syndrome
- infection like herpes, measles, tuberculosis, or chickenpox
- kidney disease
- stomach, ulcer or intestine disease including colitis and diverticulitis
- thyroid problem
- an unusual or allergic reaction to dexamethasone, corticosteroids, other medicines, lactose, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
What Other Types Of Drugs Can Alter Birth Control Effectiveness
Other drugs besides rifampin or the rifamycins may affect birth control reliability. Other drugs that induce enzymes can affect hormonal levels of your birth control and may lower its effectiveness.
Therefore, always have your doctor or pharmacist complete a drug interaction review any time you start or even stop a medication. This includes prescription medicines, as well as over-the-counter drugs, vitamin and herbal or dietary supplements.
For example:
- The antifungal medicine griseofulvin may lead to lower levels of birth control hormones and reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills.
- Certain seizures drugs can also lower the effectiveness of combined birth control pills, for example the anticonvulsant medications such as:
- carbamazepine
- oxcarbazepine
- and barbiturates like phenobarbital
If youre taking any of these drugs use condoms as a backup method. Talk to your doctor about switching to a different nonhormonal method of birth control if youll be on these interacting drugs for a long time.
And remember, the main reason women get pregnant when using the pill is because they do not take it correctly.
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Medications That Interfere With Birth Control
Birth control failure is much more serious than a Tylenol that hasnt quite cured your headache. If your birth control doesnt work, then you risk an unwanted pregnancy. So, its important to be aware of any medications that may interfere with your contraceptions effectiveness.
Before you take any new medication consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacist to see if the medication could interfere with your birth control pills.
Herbal Supplements And Vitamins
St. Johns wort is a supplement that people take to help with symptoms of depression, insomnia, or anxiety. Soy isoflavones is from a soybean plant and may reduce menopause-related hot flashes or help maintain strong bones. Research has shown that supplements like these may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills.
There is some thought that St. Johns Wort, typically used to help with symptoms of depression, contains ingredients which may speed up the breakdown of estrogen, rendering birth control less effective, Dr. Torres says. Vitamin C, often taken to boost immune function, can interact with birth control as well. Estrogen can cause increases in vitamin C levels, which could potentially be problematic.
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Does Adhd Medication Interfere With Birth Control
2019Pregnancy and ADHD symptoms?Dec 21, if you are taking Lamictal with the pill, In particular, mineral or even food taken at the same time as a birth control pill can interfere with the absorption of the hormone,birth control pills does not interact with any of these medications-Bupropion , But aIt is one of only about two anti-seizure meds that does not interfere with the pill, if a woman is given an anti-epileptic medication along with a birth control pill, that your risk of becoming pregnant despite using birth control increases, are sexually active, her dose of estrogen may be decreased and the OC may cease to be effective.
What Are Other Ways To Improve Sleep
If youre on birth control and having trouble sleeping, consider following more general sleep tips before trying out melatonin supplements. Improving your overall sleep hygiene may help you fall asleep faster and sleep better. Good sleep hygiene includes:
- Making your bedroom quiet, cool, and dark
- Only using your bed for sleep and not for other activities
- Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
- Avoiding activities that excite you before bed, like watching intense movies
- Refraining from intense physical activity or exercise in the hours before bedtime
- Not eating heavy foods in the hours before bedtime
- Avoiding cigarettes in the hours before bedtime
- Engaging in relaxation techniques, such as meditation and yoga
Some people also find that alternative medicine techniques, such as massage, herbal tea, hypnotherapy, and acupuncture, help them sleep. There isnt enough research to conclude these strategies work for most people, however. Experts advise against taking the supplements kava and L-tryptophan for sleep, which can both cause health issues.
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How Does Hormonal Birth Control Work
Some birth control methods are not hormonal for example, diaphragms, cervical caps, and male and female condoms. Were not talking about those here.
Most people who can get pregnant use hormonal forms of birth control meaning, birth control that releases hormones into the body to prevent a pregnancy. Most pills contain a mix of hormones, usually progestin and estrogen, as do the patch and the vaginal ring . Some pills and other birth control methods such as injections, implants , and intrauterine devices , release only progestin into the body.
click here for larger image
Progestin, the common active ingredient in all types of hormonal birth control, prevents pregnancy in a few different ways:
-
It makes it difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix and fertilize the egg.
-
It makes ovulation less likely.
-
It thins the lining of the womb, making it less likely that a fertilized egg can stick.
Estrogen is combined with progestin in most contraceptive pills, the patch, and the vaginal ring. It prevents pregnancy by preventing ovulation.
So far, so good.
Unfortunately, some medications make hormonal contraception less effective. Lets look at what those are here.
What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
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Symptoms Of Overdose May Include The Following:
- vomiting
- dizziness
- loss of coordination
Anyone who has taken an overdose of isotretinoin should know about the risk of birth defects caused by isotretinoin and should not donate blood for 1 month after the overdose. Pregnant woman should talk to their doctors about the risks of continuing the pregnancy after the overdose. Women who can become pregnant should use two forms of birth control for 1 month after the overdose. Men whose partners are or may become pregnant should use condoms or avoid sexual contact with that partner for 1 month after the overdose because isotretinoin may be present in the semen.
Taking Cannabidiol While On Birth Control Pills
The two main constituents of marijuana, THC, and CBD are known to be metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system. Specifically, studies have shown that CBD can inhibit:
- CYP 2C9
- CYP 2C19
- CYP 3A4
Metabolizing enzyme inhibition often leads to increased concentrations of drugs that are typical substrates for a particular enzyme.
For example, take the well-known drug interaction between grapefruit juice and a class of cholesterol-lowering medications, the statins. Consuming grapefruit juice will potentially increase levels of statin drugs in the blood to dangerous levels, all due to CYP enzyme inhibition from grapefruit. A similar theory is in place for CBD and birth control pills.
Birth control pills come in two forms:
- Progestin-only pills
- Combined hormone pills
The hormones in birth control pills are, at least partially, metabolized by the CYP enzymes that are thought to be affected by CBD.
Therefore, there is a theoretical interaction where CBD can inhibit the metabolism of the hormones in birth control pills, potentially increasing concentrations in the blood which in turn could increase the risk of side effects including:
- Breakthrough bleeding
- Breast tenderness
- Mood changes
Until studies are completed that specifically look at how CBD interacts with birth control pills, we can only make educated guesses.
It was only recently that a study reported a confirmed drug-drug interaction with CBD and it involves certain anti-epileptic medications.
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What If I Take A Medication That Messes With Hormonal Birth Control
There are many highly effective types of birth control that are not affected by these medications, including all IUDs, the implant, and the shot. Barrier methods like condoms are also effective regardless of what medication youre taking.
In general, its good to remember that medicines can have powerful interactions with each otherand hormonal birth control is just another type of medicine. If a new medicine is prescribed for you, make sure to tell your health care provider about all of the medicines, herbal and vitamin supplements you regularly take.
What Should I Do If I Need To Take 2 Or More Medicines
If youre on a short course of a supplementary medicine, then its advisable to use a temporary form of contraception that wont be affected. These include condoms, the coil or the progesterone-only injection. Your alternative contraception may need to be in effect for anything from 7 to 28 days after finishing the medicine that interacts with the pill.
For long-term treatment, it may be preferable to avoid medicines mentioned above, but its always advisable to speak to your GP when starting or stopping any course of medication.
If you arent sure whether your contraception interacts with any other medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
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How To Prevent Birth Control Ineffectiveness
Always talk with your doctor about birth control interactions before taking new medications, including vitamins or over-the-counter medications. Ask if the medication or supplement will interfere with your birth control effectiveness. Even if more research is needed, its generally better to err on the side of caution. You can use backup forms of birth control in addition to oral contraceptives when taking medications that interfere with the effectiveness.
If you forget to use a backup method, you can take over-the-counter emergency contraception for up to five days after intercourse. For long term medications, such as retrovirals, diabetes medications, or anticonvulsants, it is best to talk with your provider about other contraception methods, such as long-acting reversible contraception or injectable progesterone.
Link Between Oral Contraceptives And Fertility
There may be some concern that taking an oral contraceptive pill may hurt your ability to one day conceive. Research indicates that this is likely not the case. Long-term use of OCP’s should not affect a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant.
A study suggests that the fertility of both short- and long-term users of OCPs may be slightly reduced during the first few menstrual cycles after stopping use. After that, however, monthly fertility rates are comparable to those of people who stop other birth control methods.
Another study tracked nearly 60,000 users of oral contraceptives to determine their chances of conceiving after discontinuation. About 20% achieved a pregnancy in their first cycle after stopping use and 80% within the first year after discontinuation, no matter the type of oral contraceptive used.
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Progesterone And Adhd Additude
Clearly the implications of being exposed in the womb may well be more permanent that any transient impact caused by birth control medication, if you are taking Lamictal with the pill,/quality/75/?url=https:%2F%2Fd26ua9paks4zq.cloudfront.net%2F25%2F13%2F22fc7bba4a6194e396dcda2a33f9%2Fgettyimages-1214095662.jpg alt=Drugs & Medications That Can Interfere With Your Birth Control> , 2018
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What May Interact With This Medicine
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
- mifepristone, RU-486
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
- amphotericin B
- thalidomide
- warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
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How Does Melatonin Affect The Body
Melatonin is naturally produced by the body and controlled by the suprachiasmatic nuclei , a part of the brain that regulates our circadian rhythms, or 24-hour internal clock. Light exposure suppresses melatonin, so its levels usually increase in the evening. Increased melatonin levels provoke tiredness, helping us feel ready for sleep. Melatonin is not a sedative, however, and the sleepiness it causes usually occurs about two hours after its levels increase, whether naturally or through supplementation.
Most research on melatonin focuses on how it affects the sleep-wake cycle, but this hormone likely impacts many other aspects of the body as well. Limited research suggests melatonin could potentially help treat liver injuries and disease, protect against skin damage, prevent and treat cancer, treat dental disease, improve physical performance, and treat cardiovascular disease. Melatonin appears to be involved in multiple bodily systems, so future research will likely uncover even more of its effects.
Overview: Benefits And Risks Of The Pill
There are many advantages to using the birth control pill as a means of female contraception. It’s convenient, usually covered by your insurance, and has few side effects for most women. But what do you really need to know before you make this long-term birth control decision?
The birth control pill has been used safely and successfully since 1960 when it was first approved by the FDA. Many of today’s birth control pills contain lower amounts of hormones and come in many different dosing options to allow women effective and flexible methods of family planning.1,2 Many women are able to take the birth control pill with few or no side effects.
However, the risks associated with taking oral contraceptives increase significantly if you are a smoker,have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, a tendency to form blood clots, or are obese.
Risks are also higher if you have or have had clotting disorders, heart attack, stroke, angina pectoris, cancer of the breast or sex organs, jaundice, or malignant or benign liver tumors.
You should not take the pill if you suspect you are pregnant or have unexplained vaginal bleeding.
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Will Medication Make My Birth Control Pills Ineffective
I am on birth control pills and I was sick so I took sudafed and Tylenol. I had unprotected sex and now Im worried I might be pregnant. Should I have used a condom because of the medication I was taking?
Cold medicine like Sudafed and pain relievers like Tylenol wont mess with your birth control pills. If youre taking your birth control correctly, you can feel confident that its working to protect you from pregnancy.
A lot of people worry that certain medicines or supplements theyre taking will make their birth control work less well. But the only over-the-counter medicine that can make your birth control pills less effective is St. Johns Wort. Antibiotics wont change how well your pill works, either, with the exception of the antibiotic rifampin.
There are certain prescription medicines that can make the birth control pill work less well. Also, the pill can decrease or increase the effectiveness of some other medicines. Thats why its important to tell any nurse or doctor you see about all of the medicines you use, including birth control. Always let your nurse or doctor know about all the drugs and supplements you take before they prescribe anything new for you.
Tags:antibiotics, birth control pills, medication, painkillers
