Question 1

does doxycycline affect birth control pills. i know some antibiotics decrease effectiveness and some antibiotics dont. ?

Accepted Answer

Doxy should be ok: The current thinking is that except for rifampin, other commonly-used antibiotics (such as doxycycline and many others) do not alter the effectiveness of birth control pills. This is likely presuming a person is not sick with vomiting or rapid diarrhea, or some other condition that decreases the absorption of a swallowed pill. One can look up:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12063491

Question 2

will doxycycline affect sprentic birth control pills?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Birth control pills are all at risk of being affected by antibiotics like doxycycline. You should use a backup form of contraceptive like condoms or abstinence for the rest of this cycle.

Question 3

will doxycycline (50 mg per day) make my junel fe (birth control) pills less effective?

Accepted Answer

Safe &gt; Sorry: While no evidence shows that any antibiotic except rifampin alters the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, the package inserts will likely say that there could be a problem with the interaction.  I would advise you to use a back-up form of contraception while on the doxy.

Question 4

i'm on aviane birth control pills and also taking doxycycline for my acne. how much less effective does doxycycline make my birth control? i'm nervous

Accepted Answer

Antibiotic Guideline: Some physicians will have different opinions but if you look at the evidence and guidelines, the only antibiotic known to affect birth control efficacy is rifampin. Doxycycline should be just fine.

Evidence:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/0415/p1252.html

Question 5

will i get a yeast infection taking doxycycline, prednisone and birth control pills all at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Yeast infection: Antibiotics can predispose one to a yeast infection by killing off the "good bacteria" that would normally keep yeast at bay. Steroids can add to the problem by decreasing some the body's natural immune/inflammatory response to the yeast allowing it to proliferate.

Question 6

currently on doxycycline once a day for acne.. also on junel fe 1/20 birth control pills had sex without condom but no ejaculation inside.. pregnancy risk?

Accepted Answer

: Taking an antibiotic can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills . However if your partner did not have a full ejaculation then risk is less . Certainly get a pregnancy test if your cycle is delayed

Question 7

can cefdinir interact with birth control pills by decreasing effectiveness? can it cause spotting while taking cefdinir and the pill? thanks

Accepted Answer

Cefdinir likely ok: The current thinking is that except for rifampin, other commonly-used antibiotics (such as cefdinir and many others) do not alter the effectiveness of birth control pills. This is likely presuming a person is not sick with vomiting or rapid diarrhea, or some other condition that decreases the absorption of a swallowed pill. One can look up:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12063491

Question 8

can doxycycline hyclate 100g and/or spironolactone 100g decrease the effectiveness of birth control pill (junel fe 1.5/30)? i take bc daily but had sex without condom (did not finish inside). how much less effective is the pill? should i get plan b?

Accepted Answer

About antibiotics...: The current thinking is that except for rifampin, other commonly-used antibiotics (such as doxycycline and many others) do not alter the effectiveness of birth control pills. This is likely presuming a person is not sick with vomiting or rapid diarrhea, or some other condition that decreases the absorption of a swallowed pill. One can look up:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12063491

Question 9

can doxycycline hyclate 100g and/or spironolactone 100g decrease the effectiveness of birth control pill (junel fe 1.5/30)? i take bc pill daily but had sex without condom (did not finish inside) 2 days after ovulation (had sex on day 16)

Accepted Answer

Yes: Doxycycline can decrease effectiveness of ethinyl estradiol (contained in the Junel fe 1.5. 30).

Question 10

is there anything that could change the effectiveness of birth control pills?

Accepted Answer

Missed pills: With no missed pills, "perfect use", the failure rate of birth control pills is 0.3%, that is >99% effective.In typical use, because  taking a pill every day without ever missing is hard, about 9/100 couples will get pregnant/year.  Not missing pills is the best way for the pills to work for you.

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Doctor answers about:

Doxycycline decreasing the effectiveness of birth control pills

A member asked:

Does doxycycline affect birth control pills. i know some antibiotics decrease effectiveness and some antibiotics dont. ?

A member asked:

Will doxycycline affect sprentic birth control pills?

A member asked:

Will doxycycline (50 mg per day) make my junel fe (birth control) pills less effective?

A member asked:

I'm on aviane birth control pills and also taking doxycycline for my acne. how much less effective does doxycycline make my birth control? i'm nervous

A member asked:

Will i get a yeast infection taking doxycycline, prednisone and birth control pills all at the same time?

A member asked:

Currently on doxycycline once a day for acne.. also on junel fe 1/20 birth control pills had sex without condom but no ejaculation inside.. pregnancy risk?

A member asked:

Can cefdinir interact with birth control pills by decreasing effectiveness? can it cause spotting while taking cefdinir and the pill? thanks

A member asked:

Can doxycycline hyclate 100g and/or spironolactone 100g decrease the effectiveness of birth control pill (junel fe 1.5/30)? i take bc daily but had sex without condom (did not finish inside). how much less effective is the pill? should i get plan b?

A member asked:

Can doxycycline hyclate 100g and/or spironolactone 100g decrease the effectiveness of birth control pill (junel fe 1.5/30)? i take bc pill daily but had sex without condom (did not finish inside) 2 days after ovulation (had sex on day 16)

A member asked:

Is there anything that could change the effectiveness of birth control pills?

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