OTTAWA SHORES E.N.T. ASSOCIATES, P.C.
616-935-6966
Contraceptives and Antibiotics
Certain antibiotics can interact with contraceptives like birth control pills, injections, vaginal rings, intrauterine devices and implants. Antibiotics can make the contraceptives less effective and pregnancy more likely. Spotting – or ‘mid-cycle’ bleeding – may be the first sign that an antibiotic is interfering with the effectiveness of your contraceptive.
Contraceptives work by having hormones (called estrogens and progestins) that:
- stop your ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation);
- make the lining of your uterus thinner, so eggs fertilized by a man’s sperm cannot attach to your uterus; or
- make it harder for sperm to get to your eggs.
Some antibiotics make it hard for your body to absorb the hormones in your form of contraceptive. Other antibiotics make your body get rid of the hormones faster. If either happens, the lower levels of hormones in your body may allow you to get pregnant when you do not want to.
Antibiotics that have been shown to interact with contraceptives include Rifampin (brand name Rifadin), Penicillin (Veetids), Amoxicillin (Amoxil or Augmentin), Ampicillin (Omnipen), Cotrimoxazole (Septra or Bactrim), Tetracycline (Sumycin), Minocycline (Minocin and Doxycycline), Metronidazole (Flagyl), and Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid or Macrodantin).
To help women avoid pregnancy while taking an antibiotic – and for at least 2 weeks afterward – doctors generally recommend the use of a condom, spermacides or diaphragm (cervical cap) as a back-up method of birth control.
In the event that you may have any questions regarding your form of contraceptive and antibiotics, please contact Dr. Wilson or refer to the prescription insert or handout given to you by the pharmacy.
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