Antibiotics

[fathomss.livejournal.com]

I've heard countless times that antibiotics interfere with birth control, but is it just oral antibiotics? Would it be ok to use antibiotic ear drops?

Thank you.

Comments

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

Check with your pharmacist, but I believe the general understanding around here is "yes," that would be fine.

Most common antibiotics have actually not been shown to conclusively interfere with oral contraceptives. However, there is a theory that they could affect gut flora and change how the estrogen in oral contraceptives are processed in the body.

My understanding is that topical applications (like antibiotic ear drops or eye drops) don't have the same systemic effect, and wouldn't alter gut flora. But I am not a doctor.

[mydocuments.livejournal.com]

Yes, it would be fine.

The antibiotic in question that is of concern is rifampicin and other rifamycin class drugs, because they cause the liver to hypersecrete certain enzymes that metabolize drugs such as birth control. You would need to take an oral or IV/IM dosage of one of these antibiotics to truly be at risk for interactions. (Although, as queen_sugar pointed out, there is some concern about antibiotics altering gut flora and affecting the first pass metabolism process.)

A local antibiotic eardrop is going to be fine to take with your birth control. However, if this is something that's going to worry you, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Double up on your protection -- use condoms for seven days after completing your course of antibiotics. =)

[http://users.livejournal.com/quiet_tears_/]

..do you know if minocycline antibiotic would interfere with reclipsen (generic of desogen birth control)? my dr perscribed me both for three months and although i trust her, you have so much good information..that id love to know any info you knew?? oh and i am only taking them both for my skin, and to be regular with my monthly. but mostly bad skin. thank you!

[mydocuments.livejournal.com]

If you're not actively using the reclipsen for contraceptive purposes, then you have nothing to worry about. The very very small effect that minocycline and other tetracycline class drugs can have on oral contraceptives applies mainly to women who are actively seeking not to conceive. If you're taking the birth control for your skin and to regulate your menstrual cycle, then the small decrease in efficacy that may occur isn't enough that it would interfere with your use.

As a random aside, if this is your first time being on long term antibiotics, you should know that they can cause yeast infections as a side effect, and those are not fun. If you should find yourself with cottage cheese like discharge, a yeasty or bready smell to your discharge, and itching/inflammation in your vagina and vulva, definitely check out the links on the VP main page about yeast infections. =) Minocycline can also disrupt your GI tract because it kills off some of the flora there, so don't be surprised if you find yourself with mild bouts of diarrhea and/or nausea/vomiting.

Finally, if you're taking your minocycline and you start to notice dizziness, ringing in your ears, and uncoordinated movement, give your doctor a call. This is a fairly common side effect in women, and your doctor may want to switch you to another tetracycline class antibiotic, or elect to treat your skin in a different manner.

[http://users.livejournal.com/quiet_tears_/]

<3 i appreciate your response so much!! thank you. i am sorry i just got this message.
ok that's good then, because nope, i am only using it for my skin. i have a bit over a month left to go on it...although i am not seeing major changes from it..
but YES i already had one yeast infection. i used the oneday monistat treatment and it made me bleed. but i haven't had one since that. i hope i don't get another...i know i should eat yogurt, but i don't really like it..or maybe take priobiotics? something..i will research it, yes.

thank you again so much. it just makes me feel better to know this information, and to know someone understands.
take care!

[fathomss.livejournal.com]

This is off topic to the question I previously asked, but I need an answer ASAP and you seem very knowledgeable. I was prescribed "Amoxcillin" because the infection is getting worse, but just yesterday I let my boyfriend finish in me. Now I'm worried that if I start taking the antibiotic, I will be at risk for getting pregnant, which would be terrible for me. Is there a huge risk there if I continue to take my birth control at the same time everyday? Can I take the antibiotic at a "safe time" so that it does not interfere with my protection? Thank you very much.

[mydocuments.livejournal.com]

There is a weak correlation between amoxicillin use and interference with oral contraceptive efficacy -- meaning that during such and such chart review, maybe 1 or 2 women out of 1000 got pregnant at the same time they were taking both HBC and amoxicillin. However, you might notice from those statistics that the failures fall well within the range of use statistics for normal use, or even perfect use.

What is your dosing schedule for the amoxicillin?

What day are you on right now for your HBC?

The best thing to do to prevent any interference is to take the HBC and the antibiotic at times far apart from one another, to prevent drug-drug interaction. But, since it's not technically a drug-drug interaction, but an effect cause by the antibiotic on the body, this might not be that effective of a method.

Your previous protection will not be compromised. And, if you've used your HBC regularly, then you should not have ovulated. However, depending on where you are in the month, there's a chance that you would be more likely to ovulate than menstruate if your protection was suddenly withdrawn or severely compromised. If you're late in your pack, I would say not to worry about it at all, and just be sure to use a back up method of protection for seven days following the end of your antibiotic regimen. But if you're only in the first week of your pack, I'd say it's better to be safe than sorry and give it 48 hours post intercourse before you start the oral antibiotic regimen.

Are you being treated for a middle ear infection? If so, a technique that should help hasten the infection somewhat is to grab ahold of your ears with your fingers centered somewhat between the anti-helix and anti-tragus (http://medicalimages.allrefer.com/large/medical-findings-based-on-ear-anatomy.jpg). Then slowly and steadily draw the ears back (toward the back of your head) and then out (toward the tips of your shoulders), swallowing several times as you do this. It may feel like the infected ear doesn't want to move as freely, just keep applying gentle pressure until it seems like the tension is equal on both ears.

This technique serves to straighten the ear canal, which can allow serous and purulent fluid to drain from the ear into the throat. It should absolutely relieve some of the pain associated with a middle ear infection, and it may shorten the duration of the infection.

[fathomss.livejournal.com]

My dosing schedule is to take one antibiotic pill, three times a day (7AM, 3PM, 11PM). I always take my HBC at 9PM, no more than 20 minutes late. Today will be the first day of my third week in my pack, so does that mean I'm safe from getting pregnant? I don't believe that I'll be doing anything remotely sexual until my ear infection clears up, though, so I am only worried about what happened yesterday. I guess I'll start taking the Amoxicillin today since the infection shows no signs of letting up anytime soon. I'll try the technique you mentioned as well. Thank you so much for your help!

[moshfloorkiller.livejournal.com]

i'm actually the product of antibiotic/birth control interference :/
i think it's only a few kinds of oral antibiotics, though, so ear drops should be fine.