Dear Doctor,
I have a question about my birth control and antibiotics. I’ve been on oral contraceptives for a couple of years now with no issues, but I was recently prescribed antibiotics for a bacterial infection, and I have some concerns. I’ve heard that birth control on antibiotics may be less effective, and I’m worried about the risk of an unintended pregnancy.
Is this something I should be concerned about? Or am I being dramatic? If so, are there specific antibiotics that I should watch out for? What should I do to stay protected while I’m on this medication?
Thanks so much for your help!
Best,
Better Safe Than Sorry
Hello, Better Safe Than Sorry,
We get this question often, and you are not being dramatic. Many people who use hormonal contraceptives have similar concerns. The short answer is that you probably do not have to worry about antibiotic’s effect on birth control. The long answer is that some, infrequently prescribed antibiotics can interfere with the efficacy of hormonal contraception. One antibiotic we know of is rifampin, a drug used to treat tuberculosis. Rifampin causes irregular periods and increases the risk of becoming pregnant, even when using contraception correctly and consistently. Aside from antibiotics, other medications can reduce the efficacy of hormonal birth control, such as certain anti-fungal medications, anti-seizure drugs, and some medications that treat HIV. That is why reviewing new prescriptions with your pharmacist and making sure your healthcare providers are aware of medications prescribed by other specialists is important. You never know how something might interact in your system, and it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
The other thing to consider is what type of birth control you are using. When we talk about birth control, people tend to think of the pill, which enters your bloodstream through absorption by your stomach. But other forms of birth control, such as the arm implant, patch or IUD, deliver the medication differently, so it really won’t be affected by antibiotics at all.
Lastly, while we are pretty confident that only a few antibiotics can interfere with your birth control if you ever have concerns about efficacy, we recommend you use a backup method, like a condom. Condoms have the additional benefit of protecting you from sexually transmitted infections and should definitely be used in any cycle where you question whether or not your birth control is providing adequate coverage (medication interaction, missing pills, etc).
Always check with your healthcare provider before making any decisions about contraception or any other medication, and it is never a bad idea to be extra cautious with your reproductive health.
If you have further questions or concerns, contact your Genesis OB/GYN provider and request an appointment today.
Best,
Dr. Erin Sperry Schlueter
Erin Sperry Schlueter, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified OB/GYN practicing at Pueblo OB/GYN in Tucson and South Tucson. She specializes in normal and high-risk pregnancies, contraception, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
