antibiotics - Birth Control Message Board

laomy · 05-11-2005, 05:59 PM

now, i know lately there has been discussion about antibiotics and birth control. And some people have said that Macrobid doesnt affect the effectiveness, and that the only antibiotic proven to was Rifampin.

Now, I dont want to beat a dead horse, but I have heard from other sources {removed} that when being on an antibiotic, you should wait until you're on a new pack of birth control pills. My own practitioner told me to wait 2 weeks (7 days i was on the antibiotic, and 7 days afterwards). and i did...

Last night was 7 whole days since ive been off the antibiotic, and had sex. (no backup). I have 4 more active pills in my pack this month too... Now, since I hear so many differing opinions, I just wonder what is best. Its so difficult because there are no studies on it - what group of women would want to test this and risk getting pregnant?! Its sort of frustrating because theres always a little bit of worry in the back of my head because I dont know who to believe. ugh!!

Daisies4monkeys · 05-11-2005, 07:45 PM

I personally do not believe there is any interaction between the pill and antibiotics, aside from rifampin. So personally, I never use back-up when on antibiotics and as of yet am without child. I wouldn't worry, because even if there WAS an effect, seven days of taking pills without taking antibiotics would protect you. I know there is a lot of mixed information out there regardiing this, but I have read studies proving there was no effect on birth control from Macrobid. They tested the hormone levels in the blood of women on the pill and Macrobid and the levels of those on just the pill and found no difference.

So personally, I think you have absolutely nothing to worry about.