Question:
Can you take allergy medicine like Allegra if you are on the birth control pill? Will it "weaken" the pill's ability to prevent pregnancy?
Answer:
Many women forget or don't think of the pill as medicine, especially when their healthcare provider asks them about other medications they are taking.
To answer your specific question about Allegra: There is no interaction with oral contraceptive pills, the patch, the ring or Depo Provera.
But the broader question is if there are interactions between contraceptives and other drugs, such as antibiotics and supplements. With new drugs coming out all the time, the medical community is constantly reviewing them for interactions with hormonal contraception. Drug interactions are different for many drugs. It is best to use a back-up method of contraception to prevent pregnancy when in doubt.
Hormonal contraception (the pill, patch or ring) may cause interactions with other medications in one of three ways:
--Reduce efficacy of hormonal contraception, which may cause irregular bleeding and possibly lose effectiveness, potentially resulting in pregnancy;
--Increase side effects of hormonal contraceptives;
--Modify the actions of other drugs taken, either by increasing or decreasing blood levels (depending on the drug).
For instance, certain antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Most are are probably safe, but you still should condoms as a backup if you are taking an antibiotic for one to two weeks.
Beware of St. John's Wort, an herbal product. Don't take it while on hormonal contraceptives; it has been shown to decrease effectiveness. Several women have become pregnant on this combination.
If you have doubts about possible interactions, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Remember to tell your healthcare provider that you are using hormonal contraception when you are prescribed a new medicine.
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This column is not intended to replace advice from your personal clinician. If conditions persist, see a clinician.
