Rifampicin and rifabutin (although the latter appears to have less effect) are antibiotics that can reduce the efficacy of combined oral contraceptives.
Rifampicin is an enzyme inducer that induces the liver enzymes that metabolize combined hormonal contraceptives. Therefore, rifampicin will cause the hormonal levels of the contraceptive to be decreased and thus reduce its effectiveness (which would increase the likelihood of an unwanted pregnancy).
Because of this, when a hormonal contraceptive user must take rifampicin or rifabutin, she should inform her physician and adopt an additional or alternative contraceptive method for the time indicated by the specialist.
Read the full article on: Hormonal contraceptives and antibiotics: how do they interact? ( 25).
By Andrea Rodrigo B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist) and Silvia Azaña Gutiérrez B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist).
Last Update: 05/25/2022
