Antibiotics and Birth Control: Potential Interactions & What to Know

Question
I was put on antibiotics last week and called in to ask about their interaction with birth control as the doctor had told me to use a backup method from interactions, which I knew. I called the pharmacy to ask how LONG after I was done them that I should continue to do so, and she didn't really answer me at all, kept insisting that the SPECIFIC type I was on "hadn't been proven to alter blablabla birth control pills" but honestly, it not having been proven for my specific antibiotic wasn't good enough for me, so I have been abstaining all week, but she said "oh well just as long as you're on it" and I really don't see how it can magically stop interacting the second I stop taking the antibiotic. Tomorrow is my last day of antibiotics, and today was my last day of birth control pills for the month as I have the 21-pack. I am just hoping to get a second opinion on whether or not it is safe to have sex after tomorrow. I really do not want to take any risks as I  am definitely not equipped to get pregnant or deal with the repercussions of a pregnancy.

Answer
Hi Justine,

Thanks for your question. If I were you, I would be cautious if you don't want to take a chance on getting pregnant. I would even recommend abstinence maybe for a couple of weeks. Of course, I recommend abstinence anyway if you are not married. Also, I don't recommend hormonal birth control methods because of side effects and risks. If you want to talk more, please email me at DCHERYL51@yahoo.com and hope to hear from you soon.

Diane Cheryl