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Question
16 Aug 2011
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Antibiotics and contraceptives
I''ve just finished a course of anitbiotics. I know that these interfere with the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill. How long before this inteferences wears off?
Pharmacist
Hi Rene
The effectiveness of estrogen-containing oral contraceptives may be impaired by concomitant treatment with antimicrobial agents. However, the risk appears to be small. It is possible that a small number of women may be more susceptible to contraceptive failure.
Alternative or additional methods of birth control should be considered during and for at least one week beyond the last dose of short-term antimicrobial therapy, and for at least the initial weeks of long-term antimicrobial therapy when risk may be the greatest.
The effectiveness of estrogen-containing oral contraceptives may be impaired by concomitant treatment with antimicrobial agents. However, the risk appears to be small. It is possible that a small number of women may be more susceptible to contraceptive failure.
Alternative or additional methods of birth control should be considered during and for at least one week beyond the last dose of short-term antimicrobial therapy, and for at least the initial weeks of long-term antimicrobial therapy when risk may be the greatest.
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