THis may be a stupid question...but

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2003
THis may be a stupid question...but
2
Tue, 09-28-2004 - 8:23pm
Hi everyone!! Haven't been here for a while! I have been taking Levora continuousely for a while now. I have been on antibiotics for about a week. Augmenton 1000 mg twice a day. Anyhow, am I at the same risk of pregnancy as if I were taking it normally?? I am thankful for your help and hope everyone is doing great!!!


Heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 09-28-2004 - 9:37pm
Hi Heather, welcome back!

If you are on BCPs and taking antibiotics and haven't been using back-up you may be at some greater risk. I think the risk is probably slight but we don't know ahead of time which women are susceptible to which antibiotics lowering the effectiveness of their pills. So, this board recommends that you use back-up while taking the medicine and, after the last dose of ABs, for an additional 7 consecutive days of active pills. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Take care,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 09-29-2004 - 12:34am
Hi Heather, how's it going? Well I hope!

I think I'd be careful with the Augmentin. The antibiotics can possibly decrease the absorption of the hormones on one or both of their passes through the liver by affecting one of the enzymes (whose name escapes me right now). It's unknown who will be affected on which antibiotics, and it shouldn't matter whether you're on an extended cycle or 21 days at a time. If enough hormones are not metabolized, there may not be enough to protect you.

Take care! Seven is the magic number--backup until you've had at least seven active pills after finishing the antibiotics.

Good to see you!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control