How long do you need to take another form of Birth Control when taking Antibiotics?

Question

I was given a Z-pack antibiotics for a possible congestion infections. I asked the pharmacists if it would react with the birth control I was on (which is Apri). He told me that it hasn't been known to react with it and that to be careful I should use condoms for 2 weeks during and after my pills. But I'm reading contradicting information on the length of time and that it does react with BC on the internet from websites that I trust.
So basically what I'm asking is.. Is he right or am I just freaking out??

Yeah.. my husband and I had sex on Friday, without a condom (yeah I know.. kinda forgot) and that was the last day of the two weeks, which is why I'm asking.. 

Thank you in advance!!

Mei M · Accepted Answer

You should use protection during the duration of the treatment and for one week after you stop the antibiotics. It's because the antibiotic kills all the bacteria in your gut that helps absorb the hormones, so you need a little bit of time to regrow them all.

Taking acidophilus pills can help as well. You should be fine, it's a precaution.

jenny k · Answer

Ampicillin, tetracyclines, and rifamycins are the antibiotics that are most known for making birth control pills less effective (and you aren't on those).  However, on the prescribing information for Z-packs it does also warn to take precautions.   I think the pharmacist telling you to use a backup method for two weeks afterwards is overkill.  I just read a journal article that stated 1 week following your course of antibiotics would keep you on the safe side.

I'm only in med school, but from what I've learned and read you should be just fine.

peachy_keen_jelly_beans · Answer

Depending on your form of birth control and when you started the antibiotics in your cycle. 

What I've been told in the past is to be careful the month after finishing the antibiotics to give your BC to a chance to "kick back in" 

But many Dr.s and phramacists will say is after 7 days after being on your BC you should be good. (I know you didn't ever go of.... but you know what I mean)

So... it's hard to say. You should probably be fine. Since it was only once. But, like I said it would depend on a few things!

Good Luck!


*edit* mei did a much better job explaining it than I did! ha

Anonym · Answer

intercourse is an extremely undesirable concept almost immediately after taking antibiotics, yet no longer because of fact of problems with having pregnant. a chum of mine replaced into on antibiotics for an ear an infection, nevertheless waited the 7-10 days (she has an IUD), and ended up getting a yeast an infection. i'd wait longer than that, possibly until you initiate your next cycle.

How long do you need to take another form of Birth Control when taking Antibiotics?

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