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Do Antibiotics Reduce The Effectiveness Of Femilon Pill?

Posted on Sat, 21 Nov 2015

Question: Dear doctor,

I have an emergency question as I have just come down with a bad fever ( not viral, just normal)I am currently on Femilon ,the birth control pill which I began just about a month ago.

1. I felt dizzy and almost fainted today when I went to take a blood test. ( The results said that I have Vitamin D deficiency) . I wonder if I should stop the femilon pill at once ( I have just begun my second pack, just taken two tablets from it) since it says that you should consult with your doctor if you feel dizziness/fainting. I am sure the dizziness is because of my fever and weak body and not because of my femilon pill but please tell me if I can continue it or not.I hope I can.

2. I will be visiting my general physician tomorrow for medicines for my fever and cold. Do any of those medicines reduce the effectiveness of femilon pill? I can tell you exactly what medicines I take only tomorrow. May I take an ayurvedic powder called Samahan for my cold and 'crocin' for my fever?
Please reply as soon as you can.Thank you so much.

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do not worry, take plenty of fluids and rest

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
1. Dizziness and fainting is most likely due to fever, weakness and lethargy.
You can continue taking Femilon , if there is no severe headache, chest pain, increased blood pressure or leg cramps or swelling associated with fainting.
You should also drink plenty of fluids as dehydration in fever causes dizziness nad fainting.
2. Some antibiotics are known to reduce the efficacy of Femilon or other oral contraceptive pills.
However, you do not seem to need antibiotics and the medicines given for common cold and fever like cetrizine, paracetamol and combiflam do not reduce the efficacy of Femilon.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

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

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (6 minutes later)

Thank you so much doctor for your prompt answer...Yes, I thought my fainting was because of my fever too:)

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Happy to help

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
I am happy to have helped you.
You can get back to me for further queries later by asking a direct question to me on the health care magic portal.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

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

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (12 hours later)

So is it okay for me to take 'Samahan,', the ayurvedic medicine for my cold? It is really effective and my cold usually vanishes within a few days..

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Better to avoid any ayurvedic preparation

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
its better to avoid any ayurvedic preparation while on oral contraceptive pills, as the effect of these drugs on the contraceptive action of the pills is not known.
You can try steam inhalation and warm saline gargle to get relief from cold.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

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

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (5 hours later)

Thanks for the great advice.I will not take Samhan or any ayurvedic medicines any longer. But I just took some today before I read your answer above on my query on ayurvedic powders. So once a week or so passes I should be fully protected again from pregnancy with femilon,right? Just worried.

I also usually take homeopathy for fevers and colds.I have not taken it in long months since I have not fallen ill since then. Is it okay to take it now or does homeopathy make birth control pills less effective?

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Can take homeopathic medicine

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, one or two doses of ayurvedic preparation do not effect the contraceptive efficacy of femilon, so you are safe from pregnancy now also.
Homeopathic medicines generally do not effect the effectiveness of oral contraceptive pills.You can take them safely.
Hope you found the answer helpful .
You can get back to me for further queries later by asking a direct question to me on the health care magic portal.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

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