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Do Antibiotics Affect Or Weaken An IUD?

Posted on Mon, 24 Aug 2015

Question: I found out if I take antibiotics that it could weaken some forms of birth control. Does it weaken an IUD that is supposed to last 10 years? I am concerned about getting pregnant now or in future.

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No effect on IUD

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. Antibiotics like amoxicillin, doxycycline etc decrease the contraceptive efficacy of oral contraceptive pills only. This is so because these antibiotics increase the metabolism of the hormonal contraceptive in the liver, and hence decrease the efficacy of these drugs.
However, these antibiotics do not decrease the contraceptive efficacy of intrauterine contraceptive device as it contains no hormones, rather it contains copper which is not affected by antibiotics.
I suggest you not to worry at all.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Wishing you good health.
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (4 hours later)

I apologize I did not include the names of the medicines that were prescribed for me at the same time on Wednesday, July 29. However, I forgot to inform my doctor that I have the IUD in place. I was prescribed sertraline hcl 50mg tab, which is an antidepressant and a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), and sulfamethoxazole 800/trimethoprim 160mg tab, which are antibiotics. I was told to stop taking Thrive, a dietary supplement which is a mix of herbs, probiotics with enzymes, caffeine, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and extracts, PEA, Irvingia extract, theobromine, synephrine, aspartic acid, L-Serine, and a Derma Fusion Technology patch which includes ForsLean, White Willow bark, Cosmoperine, Garcinia Cambogia, Green Coffee Bean Extract, until I find out how the SSRI drug affects me. I have been taking Thrive for a couple of months and have found it to give me energy and mind clarity. I immediately stopped taking Thrive though I had already taken it that morning. I took the antibiotic that evening. Then, I took 2 Advil liquid-gels, which is solubilized ibuprofen capsules, 200mg/capsule (NSAID), for a headache that evening. The following day, in the afternoon, I took another dose of Advil for another headache. Can ANY of these or any other medications or dietary supplements with continued use or ANYTHING IN THE WORLD affect the copper IUD in any way, including, especially, how effective it is while it is still in place?

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No effect of drugs

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, thanks for responding.
No medication ,as far as known, affects or lowers the contraceptive efficacy of a intrauterine contraceptive device. This is so because these devices have local action on the uterus and fallopian tubes to prevent implantation and pregnancy, and the contents do not go in blood and hence are not affected by antibiotics or any drug, food supplement, transdermal patches.
Copper T is ineffective if it has expired, or is dislocated from its position.
If it is in place and not expired, then it is highly effective in preventing pregnancy with a failure rate of 1%
I suggest you not to worry at all as these medicines do not affect Copper T efficacy.
I suggest you not to worry at all.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Wishing you good health.
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar