Antibiotics and the pill

[Cocoabean25]

Hi everyone,

I’m due my period on Saturday but really don’t feel normal at all. I’m on the pill but have been on antibiotics this pill month. I asked the doctor if it was ok to take antibiotics whilst on the pill but I seem to be getting some early pregnancy symptoms which are concerning me. I feel really sick (mainly mornings and evenings), painful boobs, really tired despite going to sleep earlier than normal, got a few spots when I don’t usually, tummy pains and some cramp pains. Obviously I will do a pregnancy test if my period doesn’t start this weekend but I wanted to know if anyone has heard of or experienced getting pregnant whilst taking antibiotics and being on the pill.

Thank you :)

Many antibiotics stop the Pill working so I expect you’ll get several stories.

You should have been advised to use another form of contraception for 7 days or so.

You need to do a test.

Most antibiotics won't affect the pill, but there are a few that may. The guidance has changed over the years and the idea of antibiotics affecting the pill is largely a myth. But certain antibiotics (mainly rifampicin or rifabutin or similar derivatives) can make the pill less effective. What were you taking? It's also not unheard of just for people to forget the pill or take it at weird times when sick (obviously if you need antibiotics, you're probably pretty miserable), which can make it less effective. That said, there are antibiotics that can cause nausea and just make you really miserable feeling (clarithromycin is one that often does this). But I would just take a test. If you're pregnant enough to have loads of symptoms, you'll probably get an accurate result.

Thanks for your replies. I was on amoxicillin which the doctor said was ok but I can’t understand why I feel the way I do. I still took the pill everyday but I started the antibiotics on the same day as starting a new pill pack so if the tablets did interact with each other then I could have ovulated. Hate the not knowing. Will do a test but not sure if I’d get an accurate result yet xxx

www.drugsdb.com/rx/amoxicillin/amoxicillin-and-birth-control/

Doesn't look good, op