What medications may cause contraceptive failure in women on the combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) and why?
Medications that may cause contraceptive failure in women on the combined OCP include: • Griseofulvin • Rifampin • Carbamazepine • Ethosuximide • Phenobarbital • Phenytoin • Primidone All these medications may result in contraceptive failure because of the enzyme inducing nature of these drugs. The increase in the hepatic cytochrome p450 system in the liver alters the metabolism of oral contraceptive steroids resulting in insufficient levels of estrogen and progesterone to prevent ovulation.
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