Antibiotics inhibit the effectiveness of it.
The main ones are antibiotics, but you should check with the person prescribing the medicine as to how it will affect them. If you are prescribed medicine when your parents are there and they don't know you're taking birth control pills then you should phone the clinic who prescribed the birth control and ask them what the risks are. They'll be able to tell you.
antibiotics are a very common one that affects birth control. there might be others.
When taking birth control, women should steer clear of smoking and penicillin derived antibiotics.
antibiotics. always consult your doctor first.
The effects of birth control may be reduced for a number of reasons. You should consult with your doctor for a more complete list or an assessment of your individual risks. Here are basic factors that may reduce the effects of birth control:

1. Inconsistent use. If you do not take your pill at the same time (+/- about 4 hours is fine) or miss any days (you may miss ONE day, but must take your birth control at the exact same time every other day of the month), your risk of pregnancy increases.

2. Grapefruits. Although this may sound strange, grapefruits actually contain properties that can lower the effectiveness of birth control.

3. Antibiotics. Although a number of recent studies show that most (if not all) antibiotics actually have no effect on the efficiency of birth control, it is still advisable to use a backup method during a course of antibiotics and for at least 3 days afterwards.

Brand names: Buprenex®Suboxone®Subutex®

Chemical formula:

• Drug Forms:
• Buprenorphine injection (below)
• buprenorphine-sublingual-tablets
• buprenorphine-hydrochloride-solution-for-injection
• buprenorphine-hydrochloride-sublingual-tablet

• Español:
• inyecci-n-de-buprenorfina-1
• tabletas-sublinguales-de-buprenorfina-1
• clorhidrato-de-buprenorfina-soluci-n-para-inyecci-n
• clorhidrato-de-buprenorfina-tableta-sublingual

Buprenorphine injection

What is Buprenorphine injection?

BUPRENORPHINE (Buprenex®) is used to treat moderate to severe pain, usually during or after surgery. Generic buprenorphine injection is available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• abnormal bladder function, difficulty urinating

• constipation

• enlarged prostate

• gallbladder disease

• if you frequently have alcohol-containing drinks

• intestinal disease, such as inflammatory bowel disease

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• lung disease, such as asthma or COPD

• an unusual reaction to buprenorphine, morphine, codeine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Buprenorphine injection is usually given as injection into your vein or large muscle by a trained healthcare professional.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. You will receive doses of buprenorphine from your health care professional as you need them for pain.

What drug(s) may interact with Buprenorphine?

• amiodarone

• bosentan

• butorphanol

• clarithromycin

• entacapone

• erythromycin-1

• fluoxetine

• fluvoxamine-luvox

• levomethadyl

• medicines for fungal infections (examples: fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)

• medicines for seizures

• methadone

• mifepristone-1

• nalbuphine

• naltrexone

• nefazodone

• pentazocine

• rifampicin

• some medicines for the treatment of HIV infection or AIDS

• St. John's wort

Because buprenorphine can cause drowsiness, other medicines that also cause drowsiness may increase this effect of buprenorphine. Some medicines that cause drowsiness are:

• alcohol-containing medicines

• barbiturates such as phenobarbital

• certain antidepressants or tranquilizers

• certain antihistamines used in cold medicines

• muscle relaxants

• other strong pain medicines such as morphine, propoxyphene, hydrocodone

Ask your prescriber or health care professional about other medicines that may increase the effect of buprenorphine.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Buprenorphine?

Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how buprenorphine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly; this reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. These effects may be worse if you are an older patient. The drowsiness should decrease after taking buprenorphine for a couple of days.

Be careful taking other medicines that may also make you tired. This effect may be worse when taking other medicines that cause drowsiness along with buprenorphine. Alcohol can also increase possible drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and affect your breathing. Avoid alcohol while taking buprenorphine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Buprenorphine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• breathing difficulties

• cold, clammy skin

• confusion

• a decrease or difficulty in passing urine

• hives, itching

• lightheadedness or fainting spells

• nervousness or restlessness

• rash

• swelling of ankles

• unusually slow breathing

• yellow skin or eyes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• anxiety

• blurred vision or any change in vision

• confusion

• constipation

• dizziness

• drowsiness

• headache

• insomnia

• nausea

• sweating

• vomiting

Where can I keep my medicine?

This does not apply. You will not be given buprenorphine injection to use at home.

Pulmonary hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. It makes the right side of the heart need to work harder than normal.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Sporadic primary pulmonary hypertension; Familial primary pulmonary hypertension; Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension; Primary pulmonary hypertension; PPH; Secondary pulmonary hypertension

The right side of the heart pumps blood through the lungs, where it can receive oxygen.

When the small arteries (blood vessels) of the lung become narrowed, they cannot carry as much blood. When this happens, pressure builds up. This is called pulmonary hypertension.

The heart needs to work harder to force the blood through the vessels against this pressure. Over time, the right side of the heart may become enlarged. At some point, not enough blood flows to the lungs to pick up oxygen and symptoms begin.

At this point, heart failure that involves the right side of the heart is present. This is called cor pulmonale.

Pumonary hypertension may be caused by:

• Any condition that causes chronic low oxygen levels in the blood
• Autoimmune diseases that damage the lungs, such as scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis
• Certain birth defects of the heart
• Certain diet medications
• Congestive heart failure
• History of a blood clot in the lung
• HIV infection
• Lung or heart valve disease
• Obstructive sleep apnea

In many cases the cause is unknown, in which case the condition is known as idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). IPAH is rare. It affects more women than men.

If it is caused by a known medicine or medical condition, it is called secondary pulmonary hypertension.

Shortness of breath or light-headedness during activity is often the first symptom.

• Fast heart rate (palpitations) may be present
• Over time, symptoms occur with lighter activity or even while at rest

Other symptoms include:

• Ankle and leg swelling
• Bluish color of the lips or skin (cyanosis)
• Chest pain or pressure, usually in the front of the chest
• Dizziness or faintingspells
• Fatigue
• Weakness

People with pulmonary hypertension report good days and bad days.

A physical examination may show:

• Abnormal heart sounds (especially a splitting of the second heart sound)
• Enlargement of the veins in the neck
• Feeling of a pulse over the breastbone
• Heart murmur
• Leg swelling
• Liver and spleen swelling
• Normal breathing sounds

In the early stages of the disease, the exam may be normal or almost normal. The condition may take several months to diagnose. Asthma causes similar symptoms and must be ruled out.

Tests may include:

• Cardiac catheterization
• Chest x-ray
• CT scan of the chest
• Echocardiogram
• ECG
• Nuclear lung scan
• Pulmonary arteriogram
• Pulmonary function tests
• Sleep study

There is no known cure. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms. It is important to treat medical disorders that cause pulmonary hypertension, such as obstructive sleep apnea, lung conditions, and heart valve disorders.

Many new treatment options for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and other forms of pulmonary aterial hypertension are becoming available. Medicines used to treat pulmonary hypertension include:

• Ambrisentan (Letairis)
• Bosentan (Tracleer)
• Calcium channel blockers
• Diuretics
• Prostacyclin or similar medications
• Sildenafil

Your doctor will decide which medicine is best for you. You will be closely monitored during treatment to watch for side effects and to see how well you're responding to the medication. Never stop taking medicines without talking to your doctor.

Some patients are put on blood thinners to reduce the risk of blood clots in leg veins and lung arteries.

People with advanced cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension may need oxygen. If treatment with medications fails, suitable candidates may be helped by a lung or heart-lung transplant.

As the illness progresses, you will need to make changes in the home environment and get more help around the home.

Other important tips to follow:

• Avoid pregnancy
• Avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting
• Avoid traveling to high altitudes
• Keep up to date with yearly flu and pneumococcal pneumonia vaccines
• Stop smoking

The long-term outlook has been poor, but new therapies may produce better results. Some people with this condition may develop progressive heart failure that may lead to death.

Avoiding pregnancy is recommended.

Call your health care provider if:

• You begin to develop shortness of breath when you are active
• Shortness of breath worsens
• You develop chest pain
• You develop other symptoms

Most patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension are treated at centers that specialize in the care of these patients.

Badesch DB, Abman SH, Simonneau G, et al. Medical Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Updated ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2007: 131(6).

McLaughlin VV, Archer SL, Badesch DB, Barst RJ, Farber HW, Lindner JR, et al: American College of Cardiology Foundation Task Force on Expert Consensus Documents; American Heart Association; American College of Chest Physicians; American Thoracic Society, Inc; Pulmonary Hypertension Association. ACCF/AHA 2009 expert consensus document on pulmonary hypertension: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Task Force on Expert Consensus Documents and the American Heart Association developed in collaboration with the American College of Chest Physicians: American Thoracic Society, Inc; and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009;53:1573-1619.