Do antibiotics cut the effect of contraceptives?

The use of some antibiotics, such as rifampicin and rifabutin, can reduce the effectiveness or cut the effect of hormonal contraceptives, such as pills or injections, as they interfere with the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of hormones or reduce their absorption, by What could increase the risk of embarrassment is not desired.

Contraceptives are drugs that release female hormones (progesterone and/or estrogen) to regulate the amount of these hormones in the blood stream, preventing ovulation or increasing the viscosity of the cervical spine, making it difficult for the sperm to reach the egg. In this way, they avoid embarrassment, as long as they are used correctly. Learn more about how contraceptives work and how to use them correctly.

Whenever there are doubts, it is important to communicate with the treating physician to avoid interactions that could reduce or reduce the effect of contraceptives.

But in the end, do antibiotics cut the contraceptive effect?

Recent studies have confirmed that rifampicin, rifabutin and griseofulvin are the only antibiotics that cut the effect of the contraceptive pill, mini pill, injection, hormonal patch and vaginal cuff.

Rifampicin and rifabutin are generally used in the treatment of tuberculosis, leprosy and meningitis, whereas griseofulvin is indicated in the treatment of mycosis of the skin and nails, for example. These antibiotics alter the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of hormones present in contraceptives, which can lead to a decrease in the quantity of these hormones in the blood stream, decreasing their effectiveness in preventing embarrassment.

Are there other antibiotics that can affect contraceptives?

There is still controversy and no scientific evidence, as in the case of rifampicin, rifabutin and griseofulvin, other antibiotics and antifungals also have the potential to interfere with the absorption of contraceptives:

• Combined oral contraceptive pill: griseofulvin, penicillins, tetracyclines, erythromycin, clarithromycin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, itraconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole;
• Injectable contraceptives: benzathine penicillin G, ampicillin, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, doxycycline, sulfamethoxazole, sulfasalazine, sulfacetamide, griseofulvin, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole.

In case you need these drugs, it is very important to talk to the doctor to know the risk of affecting the contraceptive.

It is important to note that during the use of antibiotics there may be an imbalance in the intestinal flora, which may result in diarrhea and lead to a reduction in the absorption of contraceptive hormones. However, this only happens if diarrhea occurs 3 to 4 hours after taking the contraceptive. See other factors that cut the effect of contraceptives.

Other anticonvulsant or antiretroviral drugs can also reduce or reduce the effect of contraceptives. See the complete list of other drugs that cut the effect of contraceptives.

What to do to avoid embarrassment?

To avoid unwanted embarrassment, whenever you take an antibiotic, antifungal or any other type of medication that could interfere with the contraceptive action, it is recommended to use a barrier contraceptive, such as a condom, for example from 7 to 28 days after the treatment was completed, depending on the type of medication recommended by the doctor.

It is always important to have the guidance of the doctor who prescribed the antibiotic, as well as the gynecologist so that the treatment is effective and safe, and does not interfere with the effect of the contraceptive.