A
female
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:Hi, just a quick question...not really about relationships but I've looked for information everywhere on the internet and can't find an answer. I hope someone can help! I've been put on a short course of antibiotics (5 days) which coincides with my week off the contraceptive pill. The doctor who prescribed them was very rushed with her explanation of whether I should use extra contraception or not. I know that if you reach the end of your pack whilst on antibiotics you should start a new pack straight away without a break, and use extra contraception until you finish the medication and for a week afterwards. But I was already on my week off when the antibiotics were prescribed. I'm thinking I should just use extra contraception anyway to be on the safe side?
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female
reader, CaroleP  +, writes (9 July 2008):
 Dear sensible one, you are quite right- use back up contraception for the course of the antibiotics, it's a small price to pay for avoiding an untimely pregnancy.
As you do not state which antibiotic you are using, it would be dangerous and irresponsible for anyone to dictate what you should be doing with ANY pills or meds that affect your unique body/metabolism/medical status. The only person who should have given you the correct advice is your prescribing physician but shame on her for 'rushing' you through the consult and allowing you leave with this anxiety and query.
This issue is REALLY important and we women should stay firmly in that chair until we get the answer that satisfies us (or get a referral!)
I am including two links for you that will provide further information about combining oral contraceptives with other 'drugs' and the second link is a recent post that I think thoroughly explains the part that metabolism plays in how our body reacts to these drug cocktails'. For instance, why is St. John's Wort a 'no no' when taking birth control pills? It's worth a read if you can hang in there with some of the scientific jargon!
Good Luck and I hope you are felling much better today,
Kind regards Carole
Those links are:"Common Pain Killer and Vitamins May Reduce The Effectiveness Of Your Oral Contraceptive Pill
http://tinyurl.com/5kbvgf and "Drug Interactions" http://tinyurl.com/64xpp6
A
reader, anonymous, writes (6 July 2008): MAKE SURE YOU USE ANOTHER FORM OF CONTRACEPTION OTHER THAN THE PILL, as the antibiotics effect the contraception and will leave u at risk of pregnancy, trust me, it happend to me. i wasnt given any information from my doctor and assumed my pill would work as usual whilst on antibiotics, this was not the case as i found i was pregnant 3 weeks later. use condoms or simply avoid sex until u are off antibiotics and back on ur pill.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (6 July 2008): So you looked it up on line, then you ended up here in a relationship forum to get the answers to an important medical issue one that could result in pregnancy if you got it wrong.
Did you ever think to pick up the phone and ask to speak to your doctor or his nurse? Call the doc who prescribed the pills either the birth control or the antibiotics and you will have your professional answer.
People here have a lot of misinformation to give you, and some are correct but are you willing to gamble with the answers from non professionals that you get here? I hope not, do NOT ask health and medical questions here on this site, make and appointment, see your doctor.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (6 July 2008): Yes,in some instances it can; the birth control pill has to actually get "activated" in the intestines (by certain bacteria) and certain antibiotics can kill off the bacteria that help to activate the pill;
The best advice would be to use alternative means of protection(CONDOM) while on antibiotics; and 7 days there after;
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