Why Drug Interactions Matter With Camrese 91 Day

Camrese 91 Day is an extended-cycle birth control pill containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol. Like all hormonal contraceptives, certain medications, supplements, and even foods can interfere with how well it works — or increase your risk of side effects. Understanding these interactions is important because a reduced effectiveness could mean an unplanned pregnancy.

Major Drug Interactions: What Can Make Camrese 91 Day Less Effective

These medications can significantly reduce the effectiveness of Camrese 91 Day. If you take any of these, talk to your doctor about using backup contraception or switching to a different birth control method.

Rifampin

Rifampin is an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis and some other infections. It's the most well-known drug that reduces oral contraceptive effectiveness. Rifampin speeds up how your liver breaks down the hormones in Camrese 91 Day, potentially lowering hormone levels enough that ovulation isn't suppressed. Use a non-hormonal backup method (like condoms) while taking rifampin and for at least 28 days after stopping it.

Seizure Medications

Several anti-seizure drugs induce liver enzymes that break down the hormones in Camrese 91 Day faster than normal:

• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Phenobarbital
• Topiramate (Topamax) — at doses of 200 mg/day or more
• Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
• Felbamate (Felbatol)

If you take any of these medications, your doctor may recommend a non-oral contraceptive like an IUD or the Depo-Provera shot, which are not affected by enzyme-inducing drugs.

St. John's Wort

This popular herbal supplement for depression and anxiety is a potent enzyme inducer. It can significantly reduce the effectiveness of Camrese 91 Day. Do not take St. John's Wort while on Camrese 91 Day.

HIV Medications

Some HIV protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) can change how your body processes the hormones in Camrese 91 Day. The effects vary by specific medication — some increase hormone levels, while others decrease them. If you take HIV medications, work with your healthcare team to choose the safest contraceptive option.

Other Medications That May Reduce Effectiveness

• Bosentan (Tracleer) — used for pulmonary arterial hypertension
• Aprepitant/fosaprepitant (Emend) — used for nausea with chemotherapy
• Modafinil (Provigil) — used for sleep disorders
• Griseofulvin — an antifungal medication

Moderate Interactions: Medications That May Be Affected by Camrese 91 Day

Camrese 91 Day doesn't just get affected by other drugs — it can also change how some medications work in your body:

Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

This is an important one. Oral contraceptives can decrease lamotrigine levels by up to 50%, which could trigger seizures in people who take it for epilepsy or affect mood stability in those who take it for bipolar disorder. If you take Lamotrigine, your doctor will need to adjust your dose when starting or stopping Camrese 91 Day.

Thyroid Medications

Estrogen in birth control pills can increase thyroid-binding proteins, which may require a dose adjustment of your thyroid medication. If you take levothyroxine (Synthroid), your doctor should monitor your thyroid levels after starting Camrese 91 Day.

Warfarin

Oral contraceptives may alter the effectiveness of warfarin (a blood thinner). Your doctor will need to monitor your INR more closely if you start or stop Camrese 91 Day.

Other Moderate Interactions

• Certain antibiotics (ampicillin, tetracycline) — May slightly reduce contraceptive effectiveness, though evidence is limited. Using backup contraception during a short antibiotic course is a reasonable precaution.
• Benzodiazepines — Levels may be increased or decreased
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) — Estrogen may slow its clearance from your body

Food and Supplement Interactions

• St. John's Wort — Already mentioned above, but worth repeating: this herbal supplement significantly reduces contraceptive effectiveness. Avoid it.
• Grapefruit juice — May slightly increase estrogen levels. An occasional glass is unlikely to cause problems, but daily large amounts could increase estrogen-related side effects like nausea or breast tenderness.

What to Tell Your Doctor

Before starting Camrese 91 Day — or any time you begin a new medication — tell your doctor and pharmacist about everything you take, including:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter drugs
• Vitamins and supplements
• Herbal products (especially St. John's Wort)

Your pharmacist can run an interaction check any time you fill a new prescription. Don't be shy about asking.

For more about how Camrese 91 Day works in your body, read How Does Camrese 91 Day Work? And for side effect information, see Camrese 91 Day Side Effects: What to Expect.

If you're looking for Camrese 91 Day at your pharmacy, MedFinder can help you find it in stock near you.

Bottom Line

Several medications and supplements can reduce the effectiveness of Camrese 91 Day, with rifampin, certain seizure drugs, and St. John's Wort being the most significant. Camrese 91 Day can also affect levels of other medications like Lamotrigine and thyroid drugs. Always keep your healthcare providers informed about everything you take to avoid dangerous interactions.