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Oral contraceptives and rifampicin

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

An alternative method of contraception to the combined oral contraceptive pill is best used if a woman is on rifampicin - this drug is a very powerful enzyme inducer and a five-fold increase in the rate of oestrogen metabolism has been observed in some women.

  • the BNF suggests that ".. rifampicin and rifabutin are such potent enzyme-inducing drugs that an alternative method of contraception (such as an IUD) is always recommended. Since enzyme activity does not return to normal for several weeks after stopping an enzyme-inducing drug, appropriate contraceptive measures are required for 4 to 8 weeks after stopping .."

Reference:

  1. The Practitioner (1999), 243, 462-72.
  2. BNF 7.3.1

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