Drug interaction mechanism oral contraceptives antibiotics

Therefore, if the woman does not wish to become pregnant, it is important that she is well informed by her doctor about the possible interaction between the two drugs.

Oral Contraceptives And Antibiotics

For this reason, these contraceptives are also known as combined oral contraceptives. Taking certain antibiotics may affect the effectiveness of these contraceptives. Studies reporting oral contraceptive pharmacokinetics, mechanisms, incidence, implicated antibiotics and clinical consequences of antibiotic/oral contraceptive drug interactions.

The main function of these drugs is to kill bacteria or hinder their multiplication. Because there is no evidence that antibiotics affect the pharmacodynamics of estrogens and progestins, it is generally believed that any interaction between antibiotics and OCs must be grounded in pharmacokinetic effects on ethinyl estradiol and/or progestins.

When these agents are used, the clinician should discuss the available data with the patient and suggest a second form of birth control.

Antibiotic and oral contraceptive

However, there is one exception: rifamycins such as rifampicin or rifabutin. Today, most research states that antibiotics (with the exception of rifamycins like rifampin, rifabutin or rifapentine used for tuberculosis), do not alter the effectiveness of hormonal forms of birth control that are absorbed into the blood (for example: the pill, patch or vaginal ring).

A thorough analysis includes reviewing the specific antibiotics involved, the type of oral contraceptive, and individual patient factors that may influence the interaction. However, despite the fact that antibiotics generally do not influence the contraceptive effect, some specialists opt for prevention.

Specifically, we addressed the research question: among women taking HC or rifamycins, do users taking these drugs together experience decreased contraceptive or antibiotic effectiveness, or increased hormonal or antibiotic toxicity, compared with users taking each drug alone?.

Oral hormonal contraceptives are a contraceptive method that usually combines two active ingredients, corresponding to two hormones: an estrogen and a progestin. The pill works by preventing ovulation from occurring, increasing the density of cervical mucus and altering the endometrium.

Drug interactions between oral

In addition, because bacteria may develop resistance to them, antibiotics should only be taken when prescribed by a specialist. The truth is that for most antibiotics there is insufficient scientific evidence to show that they reduce the effect of hormonal contraceptives.

However, there are also oral contraceptives that contain only the progestin. Therefore, in principle, there would be no reason to use a barrier method of contraception such as a condom when taking antibiotics, as long as the antibiotic is not a rifamycin rifampicin or rifabutin.

An antibiotic is a medicine indicated to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Presence of Drug Interaction

Therefore, they recommend additional precautions in cases where any antibiotic is combined with a hormonal contraceptive and even up to 7 days after the end of antibiotic treatment. Amoxicillin, ampicillin, griseofulvin, metronidazole and tetracycline have been associated with contraceptive failure in three or more clinical cases.

Combined oral contraceptives COCsalso known as birth control pillsare a hormonal method of contraception. The purpose of this study was to determine whether interactions between non-rifamycin antibiotics and hormonal contraceptives result in decreased effectiveness or increased toxicity of either therapy.

Oral contraceptive ef cacy

Specifically, these contraceptives prevent the release of the egg ovulation and alter the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to ascend. In fact, the specialist must first make sure that the woman does not have any contraindication to take it.

Antibiotics only work against a bacterial infection and not against an infection caused by a virus. When the contraceptive pill is combined with antibiotics, a woman may be concerned about whether there is an interaction between the two that affects their efficacy thus leading to an increased likelihood of pregnancy.

In addition, the uterine lining is also modified, making the implantation of an embryo more complicated. Before discussing the effect of taking antibiotics on the efficacy of contraceptives, it is important to be clear about what these drugs are and what their function is.

In addition, a woman should always keep in mind that the contraceptive pill does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases STDsfor which she should use another method of contraception such as a condom.

If you want to read more information about this contraceptive method and how to take it correctly, you can access the following link: What is the contraceptive pill? It is important to mention that it is a contraceptive method that requires a medical prescription for its acquisition.

Rifampicin is an antibiotic used for the treatment of tuberculosisamong other possible indications. Combined oral contraceptives alter the hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle to prevent pregnancy from occurring. Thus, through these mechanisms, these pills prevent pregnancy from occurring.