Great question, thank you. For many years, there was a misconception surrounding the interaction between antibiotics and oral contraceptives (the pill). While there are a very few antibiotics such as rifampin that can make the pill less effective (while on the antibiotic), research has shown that most antibiotics don’t change the risk of getting pregnant. However, some anticonvulsant (seizure) medications such as phenytoin and barbiturates do interact with the pill, lowering the effectiveness. It’s always a good idea to have a conversation with your primary care provider (PCP) and let them know that you take the pill.
It’s also very important that you use two forms of protection every time you have sex. Most contraceptive methods can protect you against pregnancy, but not all of them will protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It’s also a good idea to use two forms just in case one of them fails, or the condom breaks. Having a conversation with your PCP may help you select the two forms of protection that are right for you. If you believe you may be pregnant, schedule an appointment immediately with your PCP to discuss your concerns.
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