Antibiotics and the pill
August 24, 2012
THE NPS is encouraging women
to seek the advice of their GP or
pharmacist if they are on the pill
and prescribed an antibiotic.
The advice is part of its campaign
to get consumers MedicineWise,
with the NPS aiming to help
consumers separate fact from
fiction.
“There are only two antibiotics
which are thought to affect how
well some hormonal contraceptives
work,” said NPS MedicineWise
clinical adviser Dr Philippa Binns.
These two are rifampicin – sold
under the brand names Rifadin and
Rimycin – and rifabutin – sold as
Mycobutin, and are usually only
used to treat certain bacterial
infections that are serious such as
tuberculosis and methicillinresistant
Staphylococcus aureus,
and for preventing meningitis.
“Not all antibiotics interfere with
how well hormonal contraceptives
work,” Binns said.
“However there are exceptions,
so it’s important for women to
always check whether their
antibiotic may have an impact,” she
added.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 24 Aug 12To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 24 Aug 12
