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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Macrobid Reduce The Efficacy Of Contraceptive Pills?

Hi, I’ve just started a course of Macrobid antibiotics, the NHS website says that these do not affect my contraceptive pill however I’m currently on my 7 day break from my pill and I’m concerned of pregnancy risk and if I’m protected if I was to have sex?
Fri, 11 May 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Incomplete data like the type of contraceptive pill being taken?

If you take a combined oral contraceptive pill containing estrogen and progestin along with the antibiotic Macrobid then it will decrease the effect of estrogen by altering intestinal flora so there's a risk of contraceptive failure resulting in an unwanted pregnancy.

The '7-day break' from contraceptive pills triggers monthly bleeding that mimics a woman's menstrual period. You are however protected from pregnancy during this time as long as you have taken all the active pills consistently and correctly during the 21 days prior and haven't missed any.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,      
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali
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Does Macrobid Reduce The Efficacy Of Contraceptive Pills?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Incomplete data like the type of contraceptive pill being taken? If you take a combined oral contraceptive pill containing estrogen and progestin along with the antibiotic Macrobid then it will decrease the effect of estrogen by altering intestinal flora so there s a risk of contraceptive failure resulting in an unwanted pregnancy. The 7-day break from contraceptive pills triggers monthly bleeding that mimics a woman s menstrual period. You are however protected from pregnancy during this time as long as you have taken all the active pills consistently and correctly during the 21 days prior and haven t missed any. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali