I take birth control pills, & was put on Antibiotics...doctor said it wouldn't interfer?

Question

I take birth control pills. I know that some Antibiotics can interer with them. I was put on Antibiotics a few months ago. I specifically asked my doctor if they would interfer with my birth control, and he said ABSOULTELTY NOT!.He said that they type of Antibiotics he perscribed me were a new type and would work with my birth control, guareenteed!

I just found out that im pregnant, and my OB/GYN said that the antibiotics he perscribed me DID make my birth control uneffective, and that he had no idea what he was talking about! It has been confirmed that i got pregnant at the time i was taking the antibiotics.

Of course, i am happy that my husband and i are expecting! However, im a little upset that my doctor that perscribed me the antibiotics misinformed me!

I take Nortrel Birth Control, and the antibiotic was Azithromycin (a.k.a.. Z-Pak)

Answer 1

Congrats on your joyous gift! But yes this is very bad, that is malpractice and your doctor should never inform you of something that could have this sort of a side effect (even though your happy about it) but if you were unable to afford a child at the time and he basically caused you to become pregnant than he is liable and you could file a suit against him if thats what your looking to do, but thats very unprofessional that he told you this was guaranteed and then your obgyn told you he was incorrect, so whatever you decide to do good luck! and im sorry you were misinformed

Answer 2

It is your OB that isn't up-to-date not your doctor. There was a theory that antibiotics interfered with the birth control pill, but that has been disproven by actual scientific fact.

http://www.wdxcyber.com/bcp.htm
Most antibiotics do not decrease the effectiveness of pills. There are some anti-tuberculosis drugs that do. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if a given medication is known to interfere with birth control pill effectiveness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_oral_contraceptive_pill
Some drugs reduce the effect of the Pill and can cause breakthrough bleeding, or increased chance of pregnancy. These include drugs such as rifampicin, barbiturates, phenytoin and carbamazepine. In addition cautions are given about broad spectrum antibiotics, such as ampicillin and doxycycline, which may cause problems "by impairing the bacterial flora responsible for recycling ethinylestradiol from the large bowel" (BNF 2003).[56]

The traditional medicinal herb St John's Wort has also been implicated due to its upregulation of the P450 system in the liver.

http://www.wdxcyber.com/ncontr10.htm
A large study of over 8058 women taking combined oral contraceptives and seeking elective termination of pregnancy showed 70 women (0.87%) who became pregnant while using oral contraceptives (2). This is about the expected failure rate of 1% for OCPs so it is very unlikely that there is a significant impact of many medicines on oral contraceptive efficacy considering all of the medications that are



http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/birth-control-pill/WO00098
The effects of antibiotics on birth control pills may be overstated — except in the case of one antibiotic, rifampin. Studies clearly show that rifampin decreases the effectiveness of birth control pills in preventing ovulation. However, rifampin isn't a widely used antibiotic. Chances are you wouldn't be taking it unless you had tuberculosis or had tested positive for the disease.

Hypothetically speaking, other antibiotics, particularly penicillin and tetracycline derivatives, could impair the effectiveness of birth control pills. However, no large studies have proved such an effect.

Answer 3

Actually, you should read the print out that you received from the pharmacy about your antibiotics. Yes, it's long and wordy, but worth the read. It does state on there that antibiotics compromise the effectiveness of birth control (so does Synthroid and other thyroid medications...I was never told that either, so I had 2 unexpected pregancies on the pill! Oops!)
Yes, doctors don't know it all, so always double check EVERYTHING. We had a doctor who kept telling us our son had croup, and after an ER visit and seeing two other doctors outside the hospital, we found he had a cyst growing in his airway that could have killed him. Oops! ALWAYS get a 2nd opinion, and trust your instincts!!!

Answer 4

Congrats on the baby....Next time definately don't take the doc's word on drug interactions that is what the pharmacist went to school for.
I had a doc put me on two different meds for two different reasons and I ended up with a 2 month version of intestinal flu. Ended up the medications where interacting in a lovely way and military pharmacy doesn't have you consult with a pharmacist unless you ask. The computer system didn't even put an alert up. It took me asking a civilian pharmacist to get an answer.

Answer 5

Don't use this doctor for your pregnancy, if he got something as basic as that wrong then I wouldn't trust him anymore especially during pregnancy. My neice was conceived while my SIL was on antibiotics too. Its not uncommon and you were right to ask.
If you are thinking legal action for costs etc.., I wouldn't bother unless you have proof or a fantastic lawyer.

It is really crappy that he told you it would be fine and here you are pregnant.
But I'm glad your happy and every baby is meant to be so take it as a blessings and move on. Change doctors and enjoy your pregnancy!

Good luck and congrats

Answer 6

Wow! Congrats on the baby! But he doctor should be spanked! And his other patients warned...

ALL antibiotics interfere with birth control pills! He needs to go back to school. I am glad it was not a matter of a medical necessity for you to be on the pills and preventing pregnancy. Or he could have put your health at risk! I never heard of the "miracle" antibiotic that does not interfere!

But then again, I am not a doctor...

The other explanation is that your child-I am feeling it will be a girl-don't know why but want to say "she" really wants you to be her mommy so she is coming anyway!


Good Luck to you all!

Peace!

Answer 7

I would sue him for medical malpractice. Hopefully the doctor wrote it all out in your medical record for proof for your lawyers.

I'm glad that you are both happy that you are expecting. Some doctors really don't know much when it comes to drug interaction. When ever you get put on new medication you need to talk to the pharmasist and ask all the import questions, drug interactions is the most important question to ask.

Wish you the best wiht your soon to be new baby.

Answer 8

I would DEFINITELY find a new doctor. It is SOOO important to have a very HIGH level of trust in your doctor, and if you have ANY doubts, you need to find one you're 100% comfortable with. You could easily tell yourself "It was just a mistake" and that's true, but it's a pretty big one!
Congrats though and good luck!

Answer 9

You should have discussed the antibiotics with your GYN before taking them.

Answer 10

if u ever have any doubts always talk to a pharmacist ALL antibiotics make birth control less effective.