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Does The Use Of Antibiotics Interfere With Effectiveness Of Birth Control Pill?

Posted on Thu, 2 Jul 2015

Question: I know I've asked this question already but I just need to double check and make sure! I've been on microgynon 30 now for over a year and the last two weeks I've been on oxytetracycline 250mg antibiotics for my skin! I had sex on Saturday night and the guy came inside me a few times and on Sunday. Do you this there's a chance the pill might not work because I'm taking antibiotics? Please help

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
pills might not work

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.Microgynon is a combined oral contraceptive pill. Oxytetracyline decreases the efficacy of the oral contraceptive pills ue to its metabolic action on liver.
It is quite possible that the pill might not work effectively in preventing pregnancy.
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 (7 hours later)

How will I know if the pill hasn't worked and what will I do? I love on an island and I'd rather not go to my go and I don't want to tell anyone I'm too young to have a baby and I'm not in a relationship plus I take methotrexate because I have arthritis which I know can harm the baby

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
have to wait for the next periods

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, thanks for responding. You have to wait for the periods, if they are delayed then urine pregnancy test should be done to confirm whether pregnancy is there or not. There is no other way to assess whether I pill has worked or not.
If your urine pregnancy test then comes positive, then you can go for medical method of abortion under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner.
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 (2 days later)

Can you miss a period even if ur on the pill?

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
yes

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, you can miss your period if pills are not taken regularly or are taken with drug which decreases its efficacy( oxytetracycline in your case) . I would like to know how many days you stopped taking the pills.
Please do get back to me with the information, if feasible.
Regards,
Dr Deepti Verma

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

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (3 hours later)

I never stopped taking the pill

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
periods occur in pill free period

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, it is not possible to get a period when you are on oral contraceptive pills. You generally get periods after finishing the 21 day pack of pills.
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