Antibiotics and the pill - Advice

Smirnof861 · 07-11-2009, 09:50

Hiya

Was on antibiotics for 7 days, and finished them on thursday. I know that antibiotics can mess up the pill and make it ineffective but how long is that for? Is it only ineffective whilst im taking the antibiotics or is the pill ineffective for longer? i.e. now I'm off the antiobiotics do I still need to be careful/use something or is it ok just to rely on the pill now?

Thanks

samj_namesake · 07-11-2009, 09:54

Hmmm, I'm not too sure about antibiotics, but I would assume the same rules would apply to that as they would if you missed a day. That means it will take about 7 days for the pill to again become fully effective and most gp's etc would probably recommend you use another means of protection until you've completed this cycle and started the next. Hope that helps

I haven't explained it very well I'm afraid

Smirnof861 · 07-11-2009, 10:00

So for another say 5 days I'm 'unprotected'? Is that what you mean?

samj_namesake · 07-11-2009, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smirnof861

So for another say 5 days I'm 'unprotected'? Is that what you mean?

That is the general rule with the pill, after somethings messed it up it takes 7 days to become effective again.

ETA: though to play it safe you may want to use back up protection until you've had your next period

poppypinkie · 07-11-2009, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by samj_namesake

That is the general rule with the pill, after somethings messed it up it takes 7 days to become effective again.

ETA: though to play it safe you may want to use back up protection until you've had your next period

I'd say this.

No point taking the pill and it being ineffective.

Always err on the side of caution if a baby would be difficult.

Smirnof861 · 07-11-2009, 10:27

Ok, thanks for all your help! I was unsure whether it was just whilst you were taking the pill or for a bit after as well. BF seems to think it will be fine!! Typical! Thanks

curmy · 07-11-2009, 10:33

I'd tell your boyfriend you're going to carry on being extra careful

Smirnof861 · 07-11-2009, 11:24

I did, and he gave the whole 'it'll be ok' rubbish so I said wait until I've found out for sure. Now I've found out for sure he can cover up!!

poppypinkie · 07-11-2009, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smirnof861

I did, and he gave the whole 'it'll be ok' rubbish so I said wait until I've found out for sure. Now I've found out for sure he can cover up!!

Absolutely!

You're the one who would have to deal with an unwanted pregnancy.

No bare-back for a while!

horseychick28 · 07-11-2009, 11:49

Does your boyfriend want a baby as that's how I got caught out!!

Smirnof861 · 07-11-2009, 13:40

bare back. lol. love that phrase. He does want children but agrees with me on the 'not yet' sort of thing. Don't think he really gets the whole you can get pregnant if you dont use the right protection thing! Men!!

Cilonen · 07-11-2009, 20:31

As others have said, YES the pill will be basically useless for a further 7 days after finishing the antibiotics.

When I prescribe antibiotics I always advise women who I know to be on the pill, and those who may be taking it, to use another form of contraception until at least 1 week after finishing the course.
On the rare occasions I have to prescribe a long course of antibiotics (over 2 weeks) I advise another form of contraception be used until 2 weeks after finishing the antibiotics.

kezby_2k · 07-11-2009, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cilonen

As others have said, YES the pill will be basically useless for a further 7 days after finishing the antibiotics.

When I prescribe antibiotics I always advise women who I know to be on the pill, and those who may be taking it, to use another form of contraception until at least 1 week after finishing the course.
On the rare occasions I have to prescribe a long course of antibiotics (over 2 weeks) I advise another form of contraception be used until 2 weeks after finishing the antibiotics.

Interesting... Mind if I ask a question?
I'm on antibiotics for life after having my spleen removed... I was on the pill beforehand and am still on it... I was told by my doctor that the pill will still be effective, as I'm on antibiotics long-term, but he didnt sound too sure. Do you know anything about that?

Hypnodisc · 07-11-2009, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by kezby_2k

Interesting... Mind if I ask a question?
I'm on antibiotics for life after having my spleen removed... I was on the pill beforehand and am still on it... I was told by my doctor that the pill will still be effective, as I'm on antibiotics long-term, but he didnt sound too sure. Do you know anything about that?

Antibiotics for life?

I thought the way antibiotics work means that stuff adapts to them very quickly, which is why general advice is to use them sparingly, and only if you have too.

After prolonged use, I thought it would render them useless.

But that's just me - I'm sure someone on here will have much more medical knowledge

kezby_2k · 08-11-2009, 14:43

Thats what I've been told... it was seven years ago... I went through a period of taking them and they didnt seem to be doing anything, so they changed them to ones that didnt contain penicillin, and now they've been working ok - I think its to resist infection and whatnot. I take 500mg a day...
But when I had my operation, I wasnt told a lot afterwards... Apparently if you are on antibiotics long-term, its recommended to take a multivitamin at the same time, which I wasnt told.

Cilonen · 08-11-2009, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by kezby_2k

Interesting... Mind if I ask a question?
I'm on antibiotics for life after having my spleen removed... I was on the pill beforehand and am still on it... I was told by my doctor that the pill will still be effective, as I'm on antibiotics long-term, but he didnt sound too sure. Do you know anything about that?

Guidance for GPs states:
If a patient has been taking long-term antibiotic therapy then additional contraception should be used for the first month after starting the oral contraceptive pill. After this period the normal healthy gut bacteria should have adjusted to the effects of antibiotic therapy and additional use of the combined oral contraceptive pill so that additional contraceptive protection should not be required.

Note the phrasing in bold. It's what is termed in the medical profession as "arse-covering"! In other words, there's enough wiggle room in the statement to prevent them getting sued by a patient.

kezby_2k · 08-11-2009, 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cilonen

Guidance for GPs states:
If a patient has been taking long-term antibiotic therapy then additional contraception should be used for the first month after starting the oral contraceptive pill. After this period the normal healthy gut bacteria should have adjusted to the effects of antibiotic therapy and additional use of the combined oral contraceptive pill so that additional contraceptive protection should not be required.

Note the phrasing in bold. It's what is termed in the medical profession as "arse-covering"! In other words, there's enough wiggle room in the statement to prevent them getting sued by a patient.

Aww thank you- Its something thats always interested me because no doctor I've spoken to has seemed very confident in what theyve been telling me!
Thanks for taking time out of your Sunday to help me

07-11-2009, 09:50	#1
Smirnof861 Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 348	Antibiotics and the pill Hiya Was on antibiotics for 7 days, and finished them on thursday. I know that antibiotics can mess up the pill and make it ineffective but how long is that for? Is it only ineffective whilst im taking the antibiotics or is the pill ineffective for longer? i.e. now I'm off the antiobiotics do I still need to be careful/use something or is it ok just to rely on the pill now? Thanks

07-11-2009, 09:54	#2
samj_namesake Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3,769	Hmmm, I'm not too sure about antibiotics, but I would assume the same rules would apply to that as they would if you missed a day. That means it will take about 7 days for the pill to again become fully effective and most gp's etc would probably recommend you use another means of protection until you've completed this cycle and started the next. Hope that helps I haven't explained it very well I'm afraid

07-11-2009, 10:00	#3
Smirnof861 Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 348	So for another say 5 days I'm 'unprotected'? Is that what you mean?

07-11-2009, 10:27	#6
Smirnof861 Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 348	Ok, thanks for all your help! I was unsure whether it was just whilst you were taking the pill or for a bit after as well. BF seems to think it will be fine!! Typical! Thanks

07-11-2009, 10:33	#7
curmy Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Suffolk Services: Tiscali Posts: 219	I'd tell your boyfriend you're going to carry on being extra careful

07-11-2009, 11:24	#8
Smirnof861 Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 348	I did, and he gave the whole 'it'll be ok' rubbish so I said wait until I've found out for sure. Now I've found out for sure he can cover up!!

07-11-2009, 11:49	#10
horseychick28 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,301	Does your boyfriend want a baby as that's how I got caught out!!

07-11-2009, 13:40	#11
Smirnof861 Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 348	bare back. lol. love that phrase. He does want children but agrees with me on the 'not yet' sort of thing. Don't think he really gets the whole you can get pregnant if you dont use the right protection thing! Men!!

07-11-2009, 20:31	#12
Cilonen Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 308	As others have said, YES the pill will be basically useless for a further 7 days after finishing the antibiotics. When I prescribe antibiotics I always advise women who I know to be on the pill, and those who may be taking it, to use another form of contraception until at least 1 week after finishing the course. On the rare occasions I have to prescribe a long course of antibiotics (over 2 weeks) I advise another form of contraception be used until 2 weeks after finishing the antibiotics.

08-11-2009, 14:43	#15
kezby_2k Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 477	Thats what I've been told... it was seven years ago... I went through a period of taking them and they didnt seem to be doing anything, so they changed them to ones that didnt contain penicillin, and now they've been working ok - I think its to resist infection and whatnot. I take 500mg a day... But when I had my operation, I wasnt told a lot afterwards... Apparently if you are on antibiotics long-term, its recommended to take a multivitamin at the same time, which I wasnt told.