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May 15, 2007

What antibiotics affect birth control pills?

Filed under: antibiotics,birth control pills,Uncategorized — Ashlynn @ 9:31 am

Although the degrees to which antibiotics may affect hormonal birth control vary, there are certain antibiotics which doctors say can cause decreased effectiveness. Antibiotics that are listed as interfering include:

  • Rifampin
  • Penicillin
  • Amoxicillin
  • Sulfonamide
  • Ampicillin
  • Cotrimoxazole
  • Tetracycline
  • Griseofulvin
  • Minocycline
  • Metronidazole
  • Nitrofurantoin

If you are taking any of these antibiotics while using birth control pills your doctor should recommend that you use a back-up method of birth control (ie. condom). Despite the fact there is little evidence supporting a massive increase in pregnancies with antibiotic use, it is better to be safe than sorry. Use the back-up method during the run of your antibiotic and continue for one week afterwards.

Speak with your doctor if you have any concerns or questions about antibiotics and the effectiveness of your birth control.

BirthControlBuzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, birth control types (prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase birth control on-line.

For more information on types of birth control call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.

Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line. For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.

266 Comments »

  1. Does cefprozil affect the birth control seasonale ( generic)

    Comment by Charity — September 18, 2013 @ 11:14 pm

  2. Dear Charity,

    Cefprozil does affect Seasonale. I would advise you to use back up contraception while on Cefprozil until a week after you have stopped taking Cefprozil just to be safe.

    Comment by Janine — September 20, 2013 @ 3:25 pm

  3. I am taking sulfamethoxazole for a bladder infection, and I am on levora for birth control. I had frequent unprotected sex with my boyfriend this weekend, and he pulled out each time. Does him pulling out decrease the chances that I could be pregnant? I’m supposed to get my period in 2 weeks.

    Comment by Madison — September 23, 2013 @ 7:42 pm

  4. Hi Madison,

    Sulfamethoxazole does interfere with Levora. Please make sure you are using back up contraception (ie. condoms or spermicide) while you are on sulfamethoxazole until a week after you have stopped using sulfamethoxazole.

    Comment by Janine — September 24, 2013 @ 8:36 am

  5. I’m am confused! I was put on Z-pack and I’m on Camrese (generic seasonique) I called my pharmacist to ask about the antibiotic and it making my birth control less effective but they told me there was nothing to worry about. I have been done with my antibiotics for 4 days before having unprotected sex. SHOULD I BE WORRIED?

    Comment by Mel — September 26, 2013 @ 7:37 pm

  6. Dear Mel,

    Z-pack does reduce the effectiveness of Camrese (generic seasonique). Since you had already finished Z-pack, take a pregnancy test if you don’t get your period.

    Comment by Janine — October 2, 2013 @ 3:46 pm

  7. Hi,
    This might be a stupid question, but I am kind of concerned… I took Cipro for a uti and I am also on Levora. I didn’t have unprotected sex during the antibiotics or for 7 days after taking the antibiotics. But, I started my placebo pills right after the 7 days, does that affect my birth control working? I had unprotected sex on day 3 of the next pill pack.

    Comment by Lauren — October 10, 2013 @ 11:36 pm

  8. Dear Lauren,

    There is no such thing as a stupid question. Cipro does reduce the effectiveness of Levora, but since you did not have unprotected sex while you were on and off Cipro you should be fine now since you have started a new pack of Levora pills.

    Comment by Janine — October 15, 2013 @ 10:12 am

  9. I am taking cephalexin and I am on nuvaring Bc … I don’t see it listed but I want to be sure it will counteract…

    Comment by deborah — November 2, 2013 @ 8:29 pm

  10. Dear deborah,

    Cephalexin does reduce the effectiveness of Nuvaring. Please make sure you use back up contraception (ie. condoms or spermicide) while on the antibiotic up until a week after you have stopped taking cephalexin.

    Comment by Janine — November 6, 2013 @ 10:30 am

  11. Just finished my last pill of cephalexin 500mg last night for a toe infection, and am using the nuvaring. Did it decrease the nuvarings effectiveness ? Am I still protected the next few days? Supposed to remove the ring tomorrow (Sunday)

    Comment by Alyssa — November 9, 2013 @ 11:09 am

  12. Dear Alyssa,

    Cephalexin reduces the effectiveness of Nuvaring. If you had unprotected sex while on cephalexin, take a pregnancy test if you miss your period. If you did not have unprotected sex while on Cephalexin, make sure you use back up contraception ie. Condom or spermicide for the next two weeks for extra precaution.

    Comment by Janine — November 12, 2013 @ 12:24 pm

  13. But you just told Deborah she was safe with cephalexin and nuvaring…..?

    Comment by Alyssa — November 12, 2013 @ 6:33 pm

  14. Dear Alyssa,

    Sorry, you are correct. I have corrected the comment. Please use extra precaution.

    Comment by Janine — December 16, 2013 @ 3:10 pm

  15. Hi, I’m worried concerning my birth control effectiveness. I was prescribed nitrofurantoin-macro 100mg for a uti. I was supposed to take it twice a day for 7 days. I took the first one on the day I picked them up which was the 13th of this month. Then I took 2 a day until the 20th and took the last one I had. Does this antibiotic affect orthotricyclen birth control pill? I know your supposed to use a back up method even a week after taking the antibiotics but I only waited 4 days and a back up method was not used. I hope your answer will help. Thanks!

    Comment by CH — January 25, 2014 @ 5:27 am

  16. Hi CH,

    Antibiotics do effect orthotricyclen and a back up method of contraception should have been used for a full week. Because you only waited 4 days, that does put you at risk. Always try to use a back-up contraceptive, like condoms or spermicide, for a full week when on antibiotics and birth control. Take a pregnancy test to be on the safe side. If it is negative, you’re in the clear. If it is positive, visit a your doctor.

    Comment by pdhillon — February 6, 2014 @ 4:35 pm

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