Antibiotics?
 

Anyone know much about antibiotics? I've searched on the net but I can only find generic information.

My questions are, how much effect will an antibiotic like Amoxicillan (sp?) take on my birth control?

My other question is dizziness associated with the side effects?

This is just killing me..they're freakin' horse pills...I feel a lot better..yet the parental units are making me take them the full 10 days. *is not enjoying*

-Kayla

your doctor should have told you that antibiotics will nullify the effects of birth control and when you're on them you should be using a backup method as well as the pill.. to be safe you may want to continue using the backup method as well until the end of your next cycle..

and you should always finish your prescription for anti-biotics because the infection can come back.

as for dizziness i'm really not sure, what does the prescription bottle say? it usually has those kinds of warnings on it..but if you are dehydrated because of the antibiotics (which i belive can be a side effect) that could cause dizziness..try drinking more water when you take the medication

Surprisingly she didn't tell me anything about the effects on my bc vs the anitbiotics.

Hmm..I've been drinking plently of water..wonder why it's here..

Kayla,

Firstly, get well soon :).
I've taken the antibiotic you mention in the past, seemed to cure the flu or what it was I took it for. I never paid too much heed to the effects mentioned in your first question - for obvious reasons. I had a quick search and found a site, I'm not sure if you already saw it but it does mention the two issues you brought up. Particularly with regard to the first ... I'd check with your doctor for further info, presuming he was aware of any birth control he would have no doubt taken this into account when prescribing so I'm sure you'll be fine :) , double checking with him/her should set your mind at rest.
Link

I hope that helps.

*hugs* Thank you Richard!! I just love ya so much! :p

That helped a lot :) I went to the WebMD site and it said nothing, I was really surprised.

So..this does cause dizziness..it should be fun going to school at 7:30 in the morning for a 30 min drive :rolleyes:

I'm looking at my BCP case right now...there's a huge red sticker saying that antibiotics will decrease the efficacy, and to use additional contraception. I thought this was standard knowledge--the one time in my life I took an antibiotic (the parents kept me away from them for the longest), the doctor and the pharmacist were like, "use a barrier method." Which was funny because I wasn't on BCP at the time.

I hope you feel better. :)

You definitely need to take a full course of antibiotics. Don't stop mid course or anything. That's why so many antibiotics are ineffective. And YES antibiotics affect your birth control. Even after you finish your meds, use a barrier method for at least a couple weeks (I'd do a full month, unless pregnancy isn't a big deal for you, which I'm assuming it is :) ) Dizziness is normal, especially with amoxicillin. If you stay well hydrated and take it on a full stomach it will help mitigate some of that. I hope you get better!!!! :)

When I was on the pill a long time ago, I remember I had to be on Amox. and my doctor said it shouldn't be a problem. Now that's when I was on Ortho Cyclen...so I dunno what you're using but I was fine.

Furthermore I took Amox. when I was really sick...and I think what you might be experiencing is just your sickness/weakness. Perhaps this perscription could be making you drowsy?!?!

you should talk to your gyno's office
 

Not all antibiotics throw off the pill, so you really need to ask. I'm on antibiotic pills (indefinitely) to help me get rid of my last few pimples at this age, and both my gyno (who prescribes my BC pills) and my dermatologist say that this particular kind of antibiotic should NOT make the pill ineffective.

But, seriously...why risk it? Would anyone actually regret using a barrier method for a few days?