The Pill and antibiotics

[smurf31]

Hi - I have been told that if you are on the Pill and you take antibiotics then the pill may not work. Does anyone know how long the impact on the pill lasts?

[Sunfire]

Which pill? Which antibiotic?

[kittyctc]

Yes you have to consult your gp on that.

[burrcl]

Not knowing exactly what you are on, or what for, a rough guideline is 7 days after you stop taking the antibiotics it should have cleared your system and you can stop using additional protection.

[smurf31]

Hi - The Pill im on is Dianete and the antibiotic is Augmenten. thanks

[Sigga]

From here:

Oral Contraceptives
Despite the longstanding belief that antibiotics interact with birth control pills, several studies have shown that almost all antibiotics do not increase the risk of pregnancy in women taking birth control pills. Nevertheless, there have been reports of birth control pill failure in women who have taken antibiotics. Ask your healthcare provider about whether you need a backup method of birth control while taking Augmentin.

[pudcat]

From here:

Oral Contraceptives
Despite the longstanding belief that antibiotics interact with birth control pills, several studies have shown that almost all antibiotics do not increase the risk of pregnancy in women taking birth control pills. Nevertheless, there have been reports of birth control pill failure in women who have taken antibiotics. Ask your healthcare provider about whether you need a backup method of birth control while taking Augmentin.

Is it really worth risking an unplanned pregnancy for the sake of 7 days additional protection? Talk to a pharmacist - they are trained to advise you on things such as this.

[Katiedot]

It may not necessarily be the antibiotics themselves that nix the effect of the pill, but the illness you have that required you to take the anti-b's in the first place. For example, if you've got the runs and vomiting, then it's possible that the pill won't stay in your system long enough to be fully absorbed.