Pain pills affect birth control?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2003
Pain pills affect birth control?
2
Wed, 08-02-2006 - 10:22pm

I had 4 wisdom teeth taken out about a week ago, during that time I had anesthesia obviously as well as have taken several Darvocet and a couple Percocet for the pain. I haven't taken them for several days, but I am just wondering if anybody is aware if pain medication or IV sedation would decrease the effectiveness of the Pill (I'm on Ortho Tri-Cyclen). I swear I read something somewhere about the pain medication affecting it but I can't find the article I found it in. I know that antibiotics do and I'm not on those but I just wanted to make sure before my husband and I go on about our business ;)

Any input would be appreciated!

~Holly

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2006
Thu, 08-03-2006 - 8:08am
Hi Holly
I've never heard of pain medication affecting hormonal contraception, only things like epilepsy medication, anti-biotics etc. To be on the safe side you could use condoms as well for 7 safe pill taking days and know then that you're covered (assuming you're no longer taking the pain medication), and call your healthcare provider in the meantime who may be able to answer your question definitely so you know for sure.
Hope you're all recovered from having those teeth out!
Alice x
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Thu, 08-03-2006 - 10:52am

Darvocet and Percocet don't affect birth control pills.

For future info: There is a family of pain medications that do though. They are not prescribed as often--they contain butalbital and CAN affect birth control. I take Fiorinal for migraines and it says on the pharmacy insert that it affects birth control pills. Anything that affects the pill will be labeled as so on your pharmacy insert, but your doctor may forget to tell you! Mine did for both my meds, so I'm glad I pay attention and look things up online.

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