Will the medications I take make emergency contraceptive pills less effective?
I've heard that EC might be less effective for me because I am using an enzyme inducer (such as Dilantin the antibiotics rifampicin or griseofulvin, or St. John's Wort).
Some enzyme inducer medications and herbal supplements, including a type of antibiotics used to treat tuberculosis; efavirenz, an antiviral used to treat HIV; St. John’s Wort; the seizure medication phenytoin (Dilantin); and the antifungal, griseofulvin, may reduce the effectiveness of emergency contraceptive (EC) pills. So if you are using an enzyme inducer, talk to a health care provider about if EC pills will be effective for you or consider getting an IUD for EC—it’s the most effective option regardless of your other medications.
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