Antibiotics while on the pill

[Starfish25]

Hi,
Need a bit of advice please. I've just finished taking antibiotics - infection in my wisdom tooth. Somone said that it's possible to fall pregnant taking antibiotics while on the pill. Is this even true? Thanks

Yes, lots of antibiotics wipe out the effectiveness of the pill. You should double up with condoms while you take the course of antiBs

So far, the only antibiotic that studies show interferes with birth control is rifampin (Rifadin), a drug used to treat tuberculosis.
Rifampin causes irregular periods. It raises the risk that you may get pregnant even if you use your birth control the right way.
Apart from rifampin, you're safe to take birth control pills at the same time as antibiotics without also using a back-up method.

That's from WebMD but it's also what my GP told me when I took the pill. If you are worried you can just call the Dr to double check but you should be fine.

I’m pretty sure they used to warn about this but new evidence shows it’s rarely a concern

Generally you don’t need to worry about this anymore but if you’re concerned ring a pharmacy for advice. (I have kidney issues and take long term antibiotics alongside the pill and have been told not to worry about it).

Ah thats great thank you all very much. Thats reassuring xx

What contraceptionismyfriend says. I’ve been working in a sexual health clinic so giving lots of prescriptions for antibiotics and contraception at the same time and a couple of TB meds are the only antibiotics to worry about.
Your GP would be able to confirm for you but probably quicker / easier to check with a pharmacist.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/antibiotics-contraception/

This was how my friend fell pregnant haha. They didn't tell her that the antibiotics for an infection would lower the effectiveness of her birth control. Now she has a 9-month-old son. I'd check with your doctor or pharmacy, but I'd use double protection just in case (condoms.)

With the proviso that if your illness or the antibiotics cause you to have bad vomiting / diarrhoea then your pill won’t be as effective.
Similar to how alcohol doesn’t interact with most antibiotics (except metronidazole) unless you get so drunk you forget to take your antibiotics or vomit them up.

Thank you everyone for their reply. Looks like i am safe but we'll find out next month if I'm not 😂🙈 xx

Being on antibiotics can lower the effectiveness of the pill, but it's not the drugs themselves as such, it's the side effects. If your antibiotics cause you to have sickness or diarrhoea then it's those illnesses that make the pill less effective (essentially because you either vom it up or it doesn't stay in your guts long enough to be effective)

You need to check for yourself with a medical professional. I wouldn't solely rely on mumsnet advice with something so important.

Thank you for the replies. I've spoken to a nurse the other day she said that it's not proven to affect it but can lower it. My mind is going in to over drive now as I'm experiencing period pains which i don't normally get xx