Which foods and drugs interact with oral contraceptives?

In the following list, you'll find the most common and easily avoided sources of adverse drug reactions concerning oral contraceptives. Keep this list handy and review it whenever you bring home a new prescription for an oral contraceptive—even after your doctor and pharmacist have vetted it with you.

• Oral contraceptives interact with antibiotics such as penicillin and tetracycline and may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
• Oral contraceptives interact with St. John's wort. May reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
• Oral contraceptives interact with ginseng and may increase the potency of estrogen in oral contraceptives, causing estrogen-related side effects such as weight gain or breast cancer (if long term).