Depo shot questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2003
Depo shot questions
7
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 12:24pm
I sent this message on the 18th, but it never got posted so here i go again...I just started depo on friday and have just a few questions about it.

1. Since i got it that morning, was i covered already that night?

2. Also, I have always used alternate form of contraception on top of my birth-control, like condoms, but can i just use my shot and nothing else if he ejaculates inside without protection?

3. Last, I was reading the information about the depo, and couldn't find anything about the effects of medications like anti-biotics. usually, they make birth-control not work, is this true for depo? when i am done taking the medications, does it just go back to working again?

Thank you for your time!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2004
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 1:15pm
>>1. Since i got it that morning, was i covered already that night?<<

As long as you got in during the first five days of your period, you`re covered. If it was not during your period, you need to use protection for the first week to give the hormones time to work.

>>2. Also, I have always used alternate form of contraception on top of my birth-control, like condoms, but can i just use my shot and nothing else if he ejaculates inside without protection?<<

Yep. Depo is an extremely powerful progestin, so it does an extremely good job of, in effect, shutting down your ovaries while you`re on it. It`s 99.7% effective - and it`s hard to get much higher than that.

>>3. Last, I was reading the information about the depo, and couldn't find anything about the effects of medications like anti-biotics. usually, they make birth-control not work, is this true for depo? when i am done taking the medications, does it just go back to working again?<<

The good thing about Depo is that antibiotics don`t effect it! You can take round after round, and Depo will still be there, doing it`s job. I can attest for this fact as I recently took two rounds of Augementin (a very powerful antibiotic), had unprotected sex with the boyfriend, and am pregnancy free - even after a month on antibiotics. The usual suspects don`t alter Depo`s absorbtion to the body like they do for birth control pills. I believe the only known drug interactions for Depo are certain drugs used to treat Crohn`s Disease and another condition that I can`t remember, sorry. I`m sure someone else can fill this in as I can`t find my information. But, no, even if you take antibitiocs, you`re golden. :)

Hope this helps!

Lena

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2004
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 1:45pm
lena is exactly right, i was on depo since 1997 up until sept. 2nd 2004 and it was great with not getting preg., me and my boyfriend didn't have to use anything at all after we got checked for stds and i have been on antibiotics alot throughout the past 61/2 yrs and it never affected it, it is a really great in not letting you get preg, it has other annoying side affects, but at least you don't have to worry about getting preg. i got my shots every time they were due and i never rescheduled any appointments, so as long as ou take it right you will be fine. good luck and enjoy !!!!! lol
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 1:47pm
Hi scoachy, welcome!

I think antibiotics might alter the effectiveness of Depo in some women. Enter Depo-Provera in this drug advisor: http://www2.eckerd.com/content.asp?content=pharmacy%2Fdrugadvisor&cookie%5Ftest=1 It would be a good Idea to ask your pharmacist and the doctor who gave you the shot about drug interactions with Depo and see what they say. Better safe than sorry, right? Thanks for posting,

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2004
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 2:05pm
Wow, Jill, thanks for the information. The information given to me by the Planned Parenthood clinic said that antibiotics don`t affect Depo; I suppose that`s not true in all cases. Interesting. When my doctor first gave me antibiotics, however, she said that they wouldn`t interact with the way the Depo works. I suppose there are exceptions for all medications, though.

Lena

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2003
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 2:45pm
Thanks dancer31! I checked the website and it said:

"What drug(s) may interact with medroxyprogesterone?

•antibiotics or medicines for infections, especially rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, and griseofulvin

•aprepitant, a medicine used for chemotherapy-induced náusea and vomiting

•barbiturate medicines such as phenobarbital, may be used to induce sleep or to treat seizures

•bosentan

•medications for treating seizures (convulsions) such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, or primidone

•modafinil

•St. John's wort

•troglitazone or pioglitazone

I was only asking because I tend to get UTI's and have to take antibiotics to get them. I took my last pill thursday before my friday shot, and i just was wondering if that would make the shot not take. Also, if i have to take them again, how long after taking my last pill will my shot be effective again? Does alcohol make it not work or work less?

Thank you so much for all of the advice and help you give!! I love this site!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2004
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 2:50pm
I don`t think that the antibiotics would cause your shot not to "take". If it eases your mind, however, this board recommends using back up protection while you`re taking the antibiotics and for seven days afterward. You can always ask your doctor or pharmacist if your antibiotic could affect Depo. And, no, there aren`t any alcohol interactions, although it is highly recommended that you not smoke (to reduce the risk of blood clots), take a daily multivitamin (something you should do anyways and also to give your body a little extra calcium to help stave off Depo-related bone density loss), and live an active lifestyle (to help prevent weight gain.)

Hope this helps!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2003
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 3:11pm
Thank you for your thoughts!! That does relieve me of some worries!! I will start taking my centrum vitamins again. I was just really worried about getting pregnant by just using the shot and contraceptive foam. I have always been a worry-wart and i have a hard time trusting BC. I realize that anything can happen, but I guess i just wondered what my chances are of convieving in that certain situation. Again...Thank you very much!!!