Gynecologist dispels myths surrounding what can ‘cancel out’ birth control pills
Dr. Staci Tanouye is an In The Know by Yahoo wellness contributor. on TikTok users have been posting videos claiming certain supplements or foods somehow “cancel out” birth control pills aka oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). So what actually interacts with birth control pills and what doesn’t?. Failure rates of OCPs with average use can be up to 9% — regardless of other medications taken at the same time. That’s not a small number when it comes to unplanned pregnancies. accidents and mistakes in taking OCPs happen far more often than you think. In addition, anything that affects the absorption of any medication could decrease its efficacy. Some medications can decrease concentrations of either ethinyl estradiol (synthetic estrogen) and/or the progestin component in OCPs. these medications can make birth control less effective. But the list of medications that do this is much shorter than you think:. Phenobarbital and other barbiturates; anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone, topiramate, felbamate, and oxcarbazepine;. the antibiotics rifampin and rifabutin; the antifungal griseofulvin; anti-HIV medication; and St. John’s Wort. the antibiotics rifampin and rifabutin; the antifungal griseofulvin; anti-HIV medication; and St. John’s Wort. Even these medications don’t make the effectiveness of an OCP automatically zero. Things that don’t “cancel out” birth control pills: melatonin, grapefruit, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, cinnamon and most antibiotics. Things that don’t “cancel out” birth control pills: melatonin, grapefruit, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, cinnamon and most antibiotics
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