5.6.3  Drug interactions

The effectiveness of oral contraceptives, both COCs and mini-pills, are lowered when taken with certain medications, including antibiotics, anti-seizure, anti-tuberculosis, and migraine medications. If a woman is taking any of these medications that could interfere with the pill, she needs to tell you so that you can advise her to consider adding a back-up method of birth control, like condoms and/or spermicide. As with all drugs, it is useful to all clients who are using hormonal birth control to inform their medical providers when they seek any other medical care.

5.6.2  Management of common side effects

Summary of Study Session 5