Dear jumps1205,

All questions about drug interactions should be directed to your health care provider. It is thought that a few medications, such as the antibiotic Rifampin, which is used to treat tuberculosis — can interact with hormonal methods of birth control including the patch and the ring and decrease their effectiveness. Also, hormonal methods of birth control may decrease or increase the effectiveness of some medications. That's why it's important to be honest with your health care provider and let her or him know if you're on the patch. However, in general, most non-prescription medications are OK to take while on the patch.

If a woman is taking a drug that may interfere with a hormonal method of birth control, she can use a condom as a back-up birth control method. A woman who is taking drugs that interfere with the pill should use a back-up method for the entire pill packet.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.