Antibiotics and the pill - different ?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-13-2004
Antibiotics and the pill - different ?
1
Mon, 06-28-2004 - 1:33am
So I know that antibiotics can lessen the effectiveness of the pill... like cipro can, for instance.

Ok, fine. So I get that - if I'm taking the pills and the cipro... yadda yadda yadda...

But what about this one - if you are in your placebo week, thus taking inactive pills... what does it do then? I always figured that cipro would have an effect on the fact that you are taking a daily dose of... whatever...

but does it have a significant effect during the placebo week? I'm just trying to distinguish if it lessens the effect of when you're taking the active pills, or if it just makes your body a little less receptive to the OVERALL effects of the pill (be it during active week OR placebo week)

Sorry for the complicated question.

I'm not on cipro at the moment, but conjured up this question randomly today.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 06-28-2004 - 2:06pm
Hi Climbinggirl,

Taking antibiotics during the time you are taking your active pills can definitely reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives in some women. As far as during placebo week I think there may be two views on that part of your question. I’ll tell you what I did when I was on OCs. Regardless of where I was in my cycle if I was taking antibiotics I would use back-up all during the time I was taking the AB and for at least 7 days after the last dose. I wasn’t interest in taking chances and that worked well for me. Judie can probably answer your question more specifically.

Good luck,

      Jill