Certain medications may interfere with birth control pills, resulting in pregnancy. There are different birth control combinations that can be taken so it is important to discuss any possible medication with your doctor before taking them while on birth control or avoiding certain medications altogether. Here are five types of medication that should not be taken when using birth control:

Birth control, also referred to as contraception or family planning, is a way for women to prevent pregnancy.

Most birth control methods are designed to work in one of the following ways:

- It prevents an egg from being released. This method is called "the Pill", which has many different forms.

• The sperm are unable to survive in a woman's body after she has ovulated. A form of this method includes condoms and diaphragms that block the cervix and prevent ejaculation into the vagina.

• It stops a fertilized egg from implanting on the uterus wall and developing into a fetus. This is accomplished with intrauterine devices (IUDs). There are some medications that can be taken to stop the implantation of a fertilized egg.

• It thickens cervical mucous, which hinders sperm from entering the uterus.

• The hormone progestin thins the lining of the endometrium (inner lining) and cervical glands. This prevents implantation after ovulation has occurred.

5 Medications You Shouldn't Mix With The Birth Control Pill

1) Erythromycin

2) Rifampin

3) Carbamazepine

4) Phenobarbital

5) Topiramate

- Erythromycin is an antibiotic that treats different types of infections. It is in the macrolide class which prevents bacteria from making proteins it needs to survive, resulting in its death. When taken with birth control, it may result in pregnancy because birth control pills are designed to stop ovulation and create thick cervical mucous, preventing sperm from reaching the egg. The antibiotic will decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills when taken at the same time or within three days after taking them. Birth control pills need two weeks to become effective on its own when taken correctly, but if taken with the antibiotic, it may inhibit ovulation and sperm may reach the egg before it becomes effective.

- Rifampin is prescribed to treat tuberculosis and bacterial infections that cause meningitis. It is also in the rifamycin class which inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, stopping the bacteria from multiplying. When used with birth control pills, this medication makes the levels of estrogen hormone go up because birth control stops an egg from being released; therefore, there are no eggs for fertilization. Birth control works two weeks after you start using it even though its effectiveness lasts for one week afterward; therefore, becoming pregnant while taking birth control pills is likely when taking antibiotics like rifampin at the same time or within three days of taking birth control.

- Carbamazepine is a drug that reduces neuropathic pain and seizures by decreasing the spread of seizure impulses in the brain. It is also known as Tegretol or Carbatrol, which are brand names for this type of medication. When taken with birth control pills, it may result in pregnancy because it affects how estrogen levels decrease post ovulation and disrupts your menstrual cycle; therefore, eggs can be fertilized and make a baby before your next period comes around even if you take birth control correctly. Birth control will not be as effective when taken with carbamazepine and you need to use another form of contraception like condoms if you take both medications at the same time; however, women who take this medication on a regular basis should ask doctor about using a backup method of birth control even if you miss a few pills.

- Phenobarbital is a drug that induces sleep and treats seizures, migraines, and anxiety. It belongs to barbiturates class of drugs which decrease the activity in the brain by increasing the effect of GABA neurotransmitter. When taken with birth control, they can make each other more potent resulting in breakthrough bleeding or becoming pregnant because they affect estrogen levels causing them to go up or down erratically; therefore, eggs can be fertilized before your next period comes around even if taking birth control correctly. Birth control will not be as effective when taken with phenobarbital and you need to use another form of contraception like condoms if you take both medications at the same time.

- Topiramate is a drug that treats seizures and migraine headaches by decreasing nerve impulses that cause these sensations. It also decreases certain chemical levels in the brain that makes people feel hungry and thirsty; therefore, it helps with weight loss as well as treating other conditions like epilepsy and osteoporosis. If taken with birth control, they can make each other more potent resulting in breakthrough bleeding or becoming pregnant because they affect estrogen levels causing them to go up or down erratically; therefore, eggs can be fertilized before your next period comes around even if taking birth control correctly. Birth control will not be as effective when taken with topiramate and you need to use another form of contraception like condoms if you take both medications at the same time.

- Anti seizure medications: There are many anti seizure medications and they fall under two categories: those that decrease electrical activity in brain and those that block chemicals responsible for sending and receiving messages between nerve cells. When taken with birth control, they can make each other more potent resulting in breakthrough bleeding or becoming pregnant because they affect estrogen levels causing them to go up or down erratically; therefore, eggs can be fertilized before your next period comes around even if taking birth control correctly. Birth control will not be as effective when taken with phenobarbital and you need to use another form of contraception like condoms if you take both medications at the same time.

It is always best to ask doctor or pharmacist if you can take birth control with any medications you are already taking so that the effects of both will not be increased causing breakthrough bleeding or pregnancy.

This article lists five common medications women should avoid taking while on birth control and why they should avoid it. The author does not explain how each medication works, but simply states what effect it has on your birth control pills if taken at the same time. This information could help someone make an informed decision about whether or not to take their medication with their birth control pill. For example, if a woman is currently taking an anti seizure medication, she would want to know she needs to use backup contraception because her risk of becoming pregnant increases when taking these medications together because they affect estrogen levels, causing breakthrough bleeding or pregnancy. This article could be a good source of information for a woman looking to become pregnant and wants to know what medications she should avoid taking while trying because it may cause birth defects in the child if taken during pregnancy.

This blog pro­vides infor­ma­tion about telemed­i­cine, health and related sub­jects. The blog content and any linked materials herein are not intended to be, and should not be con­strued as a substitute for, med­ical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any reader or per­son with a med­ical con­cern should con­sult with an appropriately-licensed physi­cian or other healthcare provider. This blog is provided purely for informational purposes. The views expressed herein are not sponsored by and do not represent the opinions of nōni.