Nuvaring-did I mess up?

Avatar for rnin2003
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Nuvaring-did I mess up?
1
Thu, 10-07-2004 - 9:31am
On Saturday I was feeling very sick with a sinus infection and I was out of town with my parents at a wedding. My mom gave me a Trimox (amoxicillin) to take. I know it is bad to take antibiotics that are not prescribed to you. At the time I was desparate and I hadn't taken antibiotics in years. I am on the ring and I had sex and now I just thought of that antibiotic. Do you think that since I only took one pill as opposed to a full course that my ring is not affected??

Also I am posting a list of drug interactions that I found on my prescription drug plan website medcohealth.com

I wonder what the interaction to tylenol is as I was taking Tylenol cold and Tylenol sinus, also I take tylenol for occasional headaches.

* acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol)

* antibiotics (eg, ampicillin, tetracycline)

* anticonvulsants (eg, phenytoin)

* antifungals (eg, griseofulvin)

* ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

* atorvastatin (eg, Lipitor)

* barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital)

* benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam)

* beta blockers (eg, propranolol)

* carbamazepine (eg, Tegretol)

* cyclosporine (eg, Sandimmune)

* felbamate (eg, Felbatol)

* itraconazole (Sporanox)

* ketoconazole (eg, Nizoral)

* morphine (eg, MSIR)

* oxcarbazepine (eg, Trileptal)

* prednisolone (eg, Prelone)

* protease inhibitors (eg, saquinavir)

* rifampin (eg, Rifadin)

* salicylic acid

* St. John's wort

* temazepam (eg, Restoril)

* theophylline (eg, Theo-Dur)

* topiramate (eg, Topamax)

* tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline)

Thanks in advance, Jen
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 10-07-2004 - 11:12am
Hi Jen, welcome!

Amoxicillin is usually one of the antibiotics listed that might decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives in some women. We don't know who will be affected ahead of time, which is why this board recommends using back-up during and for 7 days after the last dose of ABs, but on average the chances of interaction are small but real. I think taking only one pill probably minimizes any potential interaction. You are probably ok, but no one can say for sure.

I think over the counter pain relievers such as Tylenol are safe to take with hormonal contraceptives but you can always ask your pharmacist. S/he will know for sure. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Take care,

      Jill