the pill and penicillin q...

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2004
the pill and penicillin q...
3
Tue, 03-28-2006 - 8:43am

So unfortunately I picked up strep throat from my boyfriend's roommate (no, no funny business, but spending a weekend around her and in the place where she lives will do it) and now I'm on penicillin (this is day one) and I just wanted to confirm that I have to use a backup method for the 10 days im on penicillin and the 7 days after I'm finished with the pencillin (17 days of pill + condom), right, yes?

(Sorry but there was some guy standing like RIGHT next to me/in front of me at the pharmacy while the pharmacist was talking to me, and I could bearly hear a word she was saying since she was whispering it to me, and he never clued in that he should move, or not be listening in)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 03-28-2006 - 11:52am

Hi surfergirlk, welcome!

>>I'm on penicillin (this is day one) and I just wanted to confirm that I have to use a backup method for the 10 days im on penicillin and the 7 days after I'm finished with the pencillin (17 days of pill + condom), right, yes? <<

You're close... Back-up is required for the entire time you are on the antibiotic and until you have taken at least 7 active pills in a row after the last dose of antibiotics. The difference is that if you were only (say) 3 actives from the end of the pack when you finish the AB, you should either start a new pack of actives right away instead of getting your period so you can quickly get to take the 7 active pills in a row... or... continue back-up during your hormone free week and during the first 7 active pills in the new pack while any decrease in your protection is corrected. Ok?

Thanks for posting. I hope you're feeling better soon. Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2004
Tue, 03-28-2006 - 5:05pm

Sorry, I'm really confused now!

The last hormone I took was on Sunday (oddly enough my period started on saturday...I've lost a bit of weight though, so that's probably why) and my strep throat (what I thought was just a sore throat until this morning) came on Monday morning....anyways, I'm on my pill free week, until next monday. I started my antibiotics today.

So what I'm assuming is that because I don't start taking hormones again until next Monday (April 3), and my antiobiotics finish next Thursday(April 5), is that I have to use a backup method of BC until April 13, 7 days after my last dose of antibiotics.

If you could clarify for me that would really help. Any suggestions, ideas?

Thanks!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 03-28-2006 - 7:02pm

Sorry for the confusion. Since you didn't say where you were with your pills I gave you the whole explanation of what you needed to do, depending where you are in your pack. You are correct. Since you are on your placebos now and will have plenty of actives left to take 7 actives in a row after the last dose of medicine you only need back up for 17 days. Keep in touch, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill