antibiotics effects on the pill

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2006
antibiotics effects on the pill
5
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 3:08pm
How much do I have to worry about antibiotics, such as amoxil or zithromax, causing the pill to be less effective?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 5:00pm

Hi harasw, welcome!

No one can say for certain what the level of risk is but we feel that it is real. Over the years there have been too many reports of unintended pregnancies while taking antibiotics for there not to be a problem for some women on some ABs and there is no way to tell who they will be ahead of time. This board recommends that for older type antibiotics back-up should be used until you have taken at least 7 active pill in a row after the last dose of medicine and for ABs like Zithromax that have a short treatment interval, but which stay active in your body for a much longer period of time, you should use back-up until you have taken at least 2 weeks of active pills in a row after the last dose of medicine.

Thanks for stopping by. If you have more questions please ask. I hope you are feeling better soon. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2006
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 8:44pm
HI
I KNOW ANTIOBIOTICS CAN LESSON THE EFECT OF THE PILL.. AS SOME MEDICINES..BEST WOULD BE TO ASK YOUR PHARMACIST SINCE THEY KNOW EVERYHTHING ABOUT DRUGS AND THE ANTIOBIOTICS YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT...WE ARE ALL LEARNING AS WE GO! GOOD LUCK......
Avatar for mistressskywalker
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 8:54pm
Here's another question: Do you know if vitamin supplements like Vitamin C have any effect on the pill? Stupid question, but I was wondering....
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 9:46pm

Hi mistressskywalker, welcome back!

Birth control pills will deplete vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) and some women have reported that stopping large doses (1,000mg or more) has caused irregular bleeding while taking BCPs. You might want to ask your pharmacist for his or her opinion.

Thanks for stopping by. Please let us know if you have more questions.

Take care,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2006
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 10:12pm
NO STUPID QUESTIONS!! I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF VITAMINS OR C'S HAVING ANY EFFECT ON THE PILL.. THE HELP US IN MNAY HEAL;TY POSITIVE WAYS.. MAYBE IF YOU TOOK AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT..MY GUT SAYS NO.. I TAKE ALOT OF COQ-10 AND WOMANS WELLNESS ETC...I DONT THINK THAT HAS EVER EFFECTED ME... BUT AS A GOOD GNC OR HEATH VITAMIN STORE AND YOUR DRUG STORE TO EASE YOU MIND...SLEEPWELL..HUGSZZZZZ ZZZ