Penicillin & the pill

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2003
Penicillin & the pill
2
Sun, 08-13-2006 - 12:04am

Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding the pill and penicillin-I've always heard that when taking antibiotics on the pill, you should use a backup method of contraception for 7 days after you've finished the course of antibiotics, or preferably, for the remainder of the pill cycle. I was also told that if your pill-free week came right after taking antibiotics, to use back-up during the placebo week and start the new pack of pills worry-free, that no back-up is necessary at this point. I just found this information on the website www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/30003136 (it has information on Penicillin V), regarding penicillin and the pill:

"To prevent an unwanted pregnancy you should use a barrier method of contraception such as a condom while you are taking penicillin V and for at least 7 days after the course of treatment has ended. If the week following the antibiotic course runs into your pill free week, the next pack of oral contraceptives should be started immediately, without a break."

That last sentence scared me, about the pill-free week: I've never heard that one before! :( 2 weeks ago, I had to take penicillin after a wisdom tooth extraction. I took the antibiotic for 5 days, like the doctor had said, and continued to take the pill and use condoms as back-up. After the course of penicillin was finished, I only had 5 days of taking the pill before going into the placebo week. I just finished the placebo week and needed to know: I had never heard the advice that the above website is giving. Since I didn't immediately start a new pill pack and did go into the placebo week, hould I still be using back-up? If so, until when should I use back-up? I'm on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, if that makes any difference.
Could someone please let me know, if they have any information on this matter?
Thanks in advance.

-D




Edited 8/13/2006 10:06 am ET by dianna_pentacle
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 08-13-2006 - 10:12am

Hi dianna_pentacle, welcome back!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2003
Sun, 08-13-2006 - 6:45pm

Thanks, Jill. I'll continue to use backup for the next 7 days, then. I really had not heard about this change in advice regarding antibiotics and the placebo week. Thanks for clearing it up. :)

-D