It is not possible to say with certainty if illicit drugssuch as cocaine, LSD, marijuana, ecstasy or perfume cut the contraceptive effect or to diminish its effectiveness, because scientific studies are lacking that prove the effect of these drugs on contraceptives.
However, in the case of "chemical" drugssuch as cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and LSD, it may happen, since these drugs, as well as medicines, including contraceptives, are metabolized in the liver.
Therefore, these drugs may compete with the metabolism of the contraceptive in the liver, reducing its effect. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence that such drugs interfere with contraceptive action, although it is possible.
At drugs that in fact may decrease the effectiveness of contraceptives are some medicines used to treat:
- Epilepsy (primidone, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate);
- Tuberculosis (rifampicin);
- AIDS and Hepatitis C (antiretrovirals);
- Fungal infections (griseofulvin, azole antifungals, itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole);
- Bacterial infections (antibiotics such as clarithromycin and erythromycin);
- Certain heart diseases and high blood pressure (verapamil, diltiazem);
- Arthritis and arthrosis (etoricoxib).
Besides these, remedies with St. John's wort, used mainly for the treatment of states
can also interfere with the effectiveness of contraceptives.
Tell your gynecologist if you use any type of drug, whether it be drugs or illicit drugs, so that he or she can assess the risk of drug interaction with the contraceptive.
Read too:
Does marijuana cut off the effect of contraception?
5 Things That Can Cut the Effect of Contraceptive
