A
female
 ,
anonymous
writes:Hello, this is a health-type question maybe someone can help me with. I am currently three months into taking birth control pills, but I have to take antibiotics for the next 10 days. I know they can decrease the effectiveness of the pills. My question is do you think it is safe enough to keep taking my pills and use a condom as well or just abstain (which would be very hard)? Do you think that will be enough to protect me? Thanks
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female
reader, Toria +, writes (22 September 2006):
 Definantly use condoms.
No protection is 100% safe including your pill therefore in most situations I would always suggest taking the pill and using condoms just to be sure.
There are alot of things that effect the efficacy of your pill including a bad tummy so just becareful and use the other protections on offer when your pill is not at its effectiveness.
A
female
reader, Wendyg  +, writes (22 September 2006):
 Yes its always a good idea to use condoms when taking any antibiotics,those considered safe or not, even those that are supposed to not intefere is not a guarantee for everyone since we are all different! If ever in doubt use a condom as well, its also recommend that you use other protection (condom) for 7 days after taking anti biotics aswell as it will still remain in your system.
Also remember that any sickness or diahroea(spelt something like that!) also reduces the pills effectiveness and condoms should be used for 7 days after a bout of any of those two.
Oh and I found out today that St Johns Wort(herbal tabs) inteferes with the pill aswell.. No one knows why it just does! So if you ever think about taking that be careful!
Take care x
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A
female
reader, Astrid  +, writes (22 September 2006):
 I would use condoms too just in case
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A
female
reader, b3x +, writes (22 September 2006):
 every every every - lol
Too early here!
*ever ever ever*
oops xx
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A
female
reader, b3x +, writes (22 September 2006):
Hey!
It depends which antibiotic your doctor gave you to take! There are two antibiotics, called rifampicin and rifabutin, which actually STOP the contraceptive effect of the Pill. However these are rarely used and perscribed in very certain cases.
The most commonly used antibiotics, in this case the ones which are called 'broad-spectrum' (which tend to be ones which last over a week in full course)These include ampicillin and doxycycline. Whilst taking these there are a small but definite chance that the Pill will not work.
Your doctor should have explained to you when perscribing these antibiotics the end result in the effectivness of your pill?
It's kinda hard to understand I know, you need to read through your information about the pill and also the information you got with these antibiotics.
Personally, I would use a condom or another form of protection. Your only the pill I take it for contraceptive reasons, so you don't want to get pregnant! Keep taking your pills as normal, as well as your antibiotics and use a condom if you just can't possible, in this world every every every restrain yourself!
Take care xx
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