$Unique_ID{BRK02042}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Antibiotics and Their Effects on Oral Contraceptives}
$Subject{oral antibiotics oral antibiotic birth control pills birth control
pill oral contraceptive oral contraceptives OC's pregnancy contraception
tetracyclines tetracycline ampicillin estrogen breakthrough bleeding progestin
medications medication medicine medicines smoking vitamins vitamin C fertility
conception drug interactions drug interaction pharmacist pharmacy prescription
prescriptions}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Antibiotics and Their Effects on Oral Contraceptives


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QUESTION:  I was given some oral antibiotics for skin infection by my
dermatologist.  My girl friend warned me that taking this medicine might
interfere with my birth control pills and reduce the protection.  That's what
her doctor told her.  Is this true?  It doesn't make any sense to me, and so I
hope you can help clear up this situation for me.

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ANSWER:  It depends upon the type of birth control pill (oral contraceptive or
"OC's") you are taking as well as the kind of antibiotic that was prescribed
for your infection, but your girl friend may be right.  Many interactions
exist between different classes of medications, and it is true that certain
antibiotics, tetracyclines and ampicillin for example, may reduce the
effectiveness of OC's that contain estrogen.  Another undesirable side effect,
breakthrough bleeding, is also possible.  Some of the newer OC's consist only
of progestin, and if this is the type of preparation you are using, there is
less for you to worry about, for this same interaction has not been
demonstrated with these pills.  However, whenever you are taking more than one
medication (and OC's are medications), you should discuss all possible
interactions with your physician.  It is easy to forget that birth control
pills are medications, when informing your dermatologist about all the
medicines you are currently taking.  Another very knowledgeable person about
medication interactions is your pharmacist, and if you do obtain all your
prescription needs from a single pharmacist, it is likely that your record
there will reveal possible conflicts.
     If you are going to have to continue with your antibiotic prescription
for a long course of therapy, you might be well advised to consider the use of
an additional measure of protection if you do not wish a pregnancy.  In
addition to antibiotics, and some other medications, heavy smoking and high
doses of vitamin C (1000 milligrams or more daily) are also possible sources
that can reduce the effectiveness of your birth control pills.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.