Birth Control + Antibiotics

What kind of antibiotics are you using? If it is something over the counter like benadryl then you do not have to worry about it. You can call any pharmacy and tell them the antibiotic that you are using and they will let you know if it effects birth control. If so, you have to use condoms while having sex until you are finished with your antibiotics.

I am a Pharmacy Technician and ANY antibiotic you have to be careful with. It can cause your bc to be not as effective. Benadryl in an antihistamine and will not have any affect on your bc. If you end up taking antibiotics just use a back up method until you are done.

I have reactions to bites as well and just use benadryl cream on my bites. You just have to be careful to use a very small amount on the bites that react. Or I've taken just the benadryl capsules too. This may not work for you, but that is what I've done in the past.

Okay, thank you for your advice. I'll just have to tell my boyfriend he'll have to wear the "dreaded condom" if I do end up having to take antibiotics.

In response to anniek:
Usually I have to take something stronger than just Benadryl to relieve the reaction from the bites. They tend to develop into boils filled with liquid, about the size of a quarter (like the coin) in diameter and raised about 1 cm off my skin. The area around also gets infected, red, sometimes purple in colour, and extremely hard. I've been told by doctors that it's something like a staph infection, so I get prescribed antibiotics for this. I also have to wash the area in a chlorine-like solution, and get some sort of topical antibacterial cream.

Wow, that is crazy that bites get so bad. Sorry to be kind of off topic, but where are you going that has mosquitos that bad? That must be so rough knowing that when you go on vacation to relax you have to deal with that.

With that aside, if you don't want to use condoms/the two of you don't like it, I would call the pharmacy and/or your doctor to ask. They know exactly which drugs do and do not effect birth control, so double checking with them would let you know if you need the extra protection or if you will still be safe and the two drugs do not interact with each other.

First, a response to the off-topic bit: Unforunately, the reaction I have to mosquito bites happens with any kind of mosquito anywhere I go. Last summer I was in Italy...the mosquitoes in Milan are particularly vicious and they travel in huge swarms. Going out at night is an actual HAZARD, no joke! I had 7 bites on my body, including 4 on my feet..It was so bad I couldn't walk for weeks. Then, when I got back to Canada I got another. It happens anywhere there's mosquitoes. It's really painful, annoying, and embarassing. Bad for self-confidence definately. But ANYWAYS.....back on topic haha...

Second, another on-topic question: Will taking Vitamin B1 tablets and garlic tablets (they're supposed to keep mosquitoes away) effect the absorption of the pill? I read in the pamphlet that came with the pill that Vitamin C might, so I was wondering if these would have any effect?

Thanks for the responses, they're really helpful.

Both vitamin B1 and garlic are safe to take with birth control. Good luck on your trip; that sounds so painful. I hope the mosquitos aren't too bad for you.

Thank you!!
I hope they're not too bad either!

Wow I thought when I reacted to bites they were bad but you have me topped that's for sure! I just have bites that swell badly, get very hot, and hurt.

I'm really not sure about the Vit C or garlic. I don't think they would bother anything but I can't be for sure without asking my boss. I do know antibiotics will because we warn anyone when they get bc.

Well I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip!

Oh yeah, I forgot to add they get hot too. haha..I wish I didn't top you! The whole reaction is just the absolute worst! My whole trip was almost ruined last time because of them, but then at the end I met my boyfriend so I guess it was worth the trouble.

I think I'm going to continue taking the B1 and the garlic. I'm not having sex right now or anything, not until July at least, so if I find out it's bad with the BC before then I'll just stop.

Thank you!