Antibiotics And Birth Control Pills

[RICH7]

Can someone tell me....how long do I need to use a back-up method while on an antibiotic? I mean...after I have taken all of my antibiotics how long after do I still need to use back-up? I know antibiotics probably stay in your system for awhile even after you have taken your last pill.....so I was wondering if anyone knew how long afterwards do I need to be careful.

Thanks

[Daisies4monkeys]

Well, the anitbiotic-bcp thing hasn't ever been proven by studies, actually...it's just anecdotal evidence of women who got pregnant while taking antibiotics and the pill at the same time and a theory that due to liver metabolization the pill wont work as well when a woman is on antibiotics. Another theory I've heard is that this is true in SOME women. That for a small percentage of women, their body might metabolize the pill differently while taking antibiotics.

I've been told by my doctor that only TB antibiotics effect the pill, so that back-up isn't needed. However, since there's still that theoretical risk of efficiency being decreased, she advised me that if I wasn't comfortable with a possible (though unproven) risk, to use back up for the duration I was on the antibiotics and for seven days following.

There are actually studies out there that prove that a number of antibiotics do NOT effect the pill, such as Cipro and Macrobid.

Also, the theoretical risk is small. Like, the efficiency would go down from 99.7% when taken perfectly to say, 95%. Which is still very effective, just not AS effective.

All the same, I don't claim to know everything, so I guess the short answer to my long-windedness is to use back up during the time you're on the antibiotics and seven days following if you're not comfortable with a theoretical risk.

[mellowfish]

Sorry for the cliche, but I always think better safe than sorry- I would make sure you get in two solid weeks of pills (not including placebos) to make sure the BCP is doing again what it is supposed to be doing in your body to prevent conception. That may be a little much, but it seems like a general rule to follow. I am sure someone else will be along to help too.

If it makes you feel any better, I finished up a round of antiboitics less than a week before I finished a pack of Seasonale, there's no way in knowing whether or not I would have ovulated, and I've still got more than a week to go!

[RICH7]

Originally Posted by Daisies4monkeys

Well, the anitbiotic-bcp thing hasn't ever been proven by studies, actually...it's just anecdotal evidence of women who got pregnant while taking antibiotics and the pill at the same time and a theory that due to liver metabolization the pill wont work as well when a woman is on antibiotics. Another theory I've heard is that this is true in SOME women. That for a small percentage of women, their body might metabolize the pill differently while taking antibiotics.

I've been told by my doctor that only TB antibiotics effect the pill, so that back-up isn't needed. However, since there's still that theoretical risk of efficiency being decreased, she advised me that if I wasn't comfortable with a possible (though unproven) risk, to use back up for the duration I was on the antibiotics and for seven days following.

There are actually studies out there that prove that a number of antibiotics do NOT effect the pill, such as Cipro and Macrobid.

Also, the theoretical risk is small. Like, the efficiency would go down from 99.7% when taken perfectly to say, 95%. Which is still very effective, just not AS effective.

All the same, I don't claim to know everything, so I guess the short answer to my long-windedness is to use back up during the time you're on the antibiotics and seven days following if you're not comfortable with a theoretical risk.

I am taking Cefzil...(I think that is the correct spelling)....and the bcp that I am on is otc lo. I think I will search on the net to see if cefzil is one of the antibiotics to be careful with.

I wonder if it makes a difference because i am on the otc LO??? If the antibiotic makes my pill less effective because it is a lower dose. hmmm.

[JAMIE0512]

ive heard the backup is for 7 days after completion of the antibiotic, but im not 100% sure. and as for the OTC Lo, i dont htink that it would make a differece, u still need back up! That pill is not as effective in itself so i would def use a backup while on antibiotics!