Birth Control & Antibiotics!-I need to know the facts!

[Longview]

Okay, can someone tell me the whole issue between BC & antibiotics. I might be starting antibiotics soon, so when it comes to still taking my BC and having sex, what do i need to know to still be protected? Will taking the antibiotics not make my BC work? Ive always been confused on this subject. Thanks!

[BorderGirl]

There are certain antibiotics that are scientifically proven to lower the effectiveness.. there should be a list of those in your pill information. For the rest of the antibiotics no one knows for sure. The theory seems to be that yes they will lower the effectiveness for some women, its just no one knows which ones. My pharmacist told me that since antibiotics kill bacteria in your stomach/intestines the pill may not be absorbed as much.

[Jazy_16]

Yes, I agree with BorederGirl, most antibiotics do effect your BC. Most of them include: rifampin (brand name Rifadin), penicillin, amoxicillin, ampicillin (Omnipen), cotrimoxazole (Septra or Bactrim), tetracycline (Sumycin), minocycline (Minocin), metronidazole (Flagyl), and nitrofurantoin and (Macrobid or Macrodantin). Just make sure you look at what your taking first and see if any of these are in your antibiotics ok! Hope it helps!