Nitrofurantoin & Birth Control: Does It Affect Effectiveness?

Question
I went to the doctors and was prescribed nitrofurantoin monohydrate for a bladder infection to take for seven days. My friend who had a bladder infection a while back told me that with the birth control I am using (try-cyclen), that even though i am still taking birth control, it becomes "inactive". Is this true?

Answer
True.  Antibiotics render birth control ineffective and you must use a back-up protection or abstinence if you are concerned about getting pregnant.  This would be the case until you start the next pack as long as you are finished with the antibiotic.  But anytime you take an antibiotic you must use protection in addition to the pill.  Don't stop taking it just because you are taking the antibiotic or you will have other problems to deal with.