Amoxicillin is an antibiotic derived from penicillin, and is often used to treat infections caused by bacteria in the body. Although this antibiotic can be effective, it also can cause undesirable side effects, including a decrease in the effectiveness of some hormonal birth control medications. Women who use hormonal birth control medications should talk to a doctor before using amoxicillin.
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is used to treat many different types of bacteria infections, including bladder infections, ear infections, gonorrhea, pneumonia, salmonella or E.coli. It cannot effectively treat viral infections, such as the common cold or flu. Although some people may begin to feel better quickly after taking antibiotics, they should always continue taking the medication for the entire length of time prescribed by their doctors. Individuals who experience diarrhea or other unpleasant side effects while taking this medication should call their doctors.
Birth Control
Two major types of birth control options exist. Nonhormonal birth control options include devices that are used before or during sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy, such as condoms, spermicides and sponges. It also may include surgery or abstaining from sexual intercourse when a woman is fertile. Hormonal birth control options are medications that alter the natural hormonal makeup of a woman to suppress ovulation or make it impossible for a fertilized egg to implant into the uterine lining. Individuals interested in preventing pregnancy should contact their doctors to determine which choice may work best for them.
Considerations
Amoxicillin can make birth control pills less effective. Women taking birth control pills should always notify their doctor or pharmacist of this fact before taking amoxicillin. In some cases, alternative treatment options for the infection may be available. However, in most cases, doctors advise women to use a backup method of birth control while taking amoxicillin to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
Misconceptions
Amoxicillin does not affect the effectiveness of every type of hormonal birth control the same way. Extremely low-dose birth control pills may be more susceptible to the potential decrease in effectiveness from amoxicillin, according to the MayoClinic.com. While every woman taking amoxicillin should use a nonhormonal backup method of birth control to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, those taking low-dose birth control pills should be particularly cautious.
Warnings
Both amoxicillin and hormonal birth control medications may cause unpleasant and even dangerous side effects. Individuals taking these medications, either on their own or together, should seek emergency medical attention if they have symptoms of an allergic reaction, which include difficulty breathing, hives or swelling of the face, mouth or throat. They also should notify a doctor immediately if they experience other severe side effects of either medication, warns Drugs.com. Potential severe side effects of hormonal birth control medications include chest pain, pain in the calf or leg, sudden abdominal pain, shortness or breath, severe or sudden headache, changes in vision, coughing up blood, slurring of speech, weakness, numbness, or an unexplained pain in an arm or leg. Potential severe side effects of amoxicillin include fever, chills, body aches, easy bruising or bleeding, agitation, unusual thoughts or behavior, jaundice, clay-colored stools, dark urine, severe blistering or peeling skin, a red rash, or diarrhea that is watery or bloody.
