Antibiotics and oral contraception

Many antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of the combined oral contraceptive pill.

You are advised to use additional methods of contraception (either use a condom or avoid sex) whilst taking the antibiotic and for seven days after stopping.

If these seven days run beyond the end of a packet the next packet should be started immediately without a break.

If the antibiotic course lasts longer than three weeks, additional methods of contraception become unnecessary after the three weeks.

If you take biphasic or triphasic pills please ask for advice (e.g. Binovum, Trinovum, Logynon, Trinordiol).