Which statement is true regarding birth control interaction with antibiotics?

Which statement is true regarding birth control interaction with antibiotics?

• A. Some antibiotics can reduce birth control effectiveness.
• B. All antibiotics increase birth control effectiveness.
• C. Birth control pills are unaffected by antibiotics.
• D. Only penicillin affects birth control.

Answer: (A)

Some antibiotics can reduce birth control effectiveness. This happens because certain antibiotics, notably rifampin, can induce liver enzymes that speed up the metabolism of the hormones in hormonal contraceptives. When hormone levels drop, the contraceptive isn’t as effective, increasing the chance of pregnancy if no backup method is used during the antibiotic course and for a short period after. Most antibiotics don’t have this effect, so claims that birth control pills are always unaffected aren’t accurate, and it’s not true that all antibiotics increase effectiveness or that only penicillin affects birth control. The important point is that some antibiotics can interfere, so using a backup method during antibiotic therapy is prudent for those drugs known to interact.

Some antibiotics can reduce birth control effectiveness. This happens because certain antibiotics, notably rifampin, can induce liver enzymes that speed up the metabolism of the hormones in hormonal contraceptives. When hormone levels drop, the contraceptive isn’t as effective, increasing the chance of pregnancy if no backup method is used during the antibiotic course and for a short period after. Most antibiotics don’t have this effect, so claims that birth control pills are always unaffected aren’t accurate, and it’s not true that all antibiotics increase effectiveness or that only penicillin affects birth control. The important point is that some antibiotics can interfere, so using a backup method during antibiotic therapy is prudent for those drugs known to interact.