Antibiotics And Birth Control

Saturday, March 1, 2003

Antibiotics And Birth Control (NAPSA)—According to a new survey of oral contraceptive users, most women (95 percent) are aware that taking antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of birth controlpills. The national survey of three hundred womenusing oral contraceptives (OC) found that about half the women (51 percent) who use birth control pills say they would refrain from sex while taking an antibiotic. Alarmingly, almost one-third of the women—28 percent—said their physician has never asked, prior to prescribing an antibiotic, if they are taking birth control pills. In addition, if they were coming down with a respiratory tract infection, 18 percent said they would choose not to take an antibiotic if it might interfere with the way their OC worked— or they would skip seeing the doctor altogether. An antibiotic manufactured by Bayer Corporation called Avelox” (moxifloxacin HCl) has received labeling approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration stating that it has no clinically significant drug-drug interaction with oral contraceptives. Avelox is indicated for acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (ABECB), acute bacterial sinusitis, communityacquired pneumonia (CAP), and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections (uSSSI), caused by strains of indicated susceptible organisms. The medication’s recent labeling approval could be significant news for the estimated 11 million women who depend on oral contraceptives to control their fertility. Ninety-five percent of women surveyed said they knew taking antibiotics could interfere with the effectiveness of their oral contraceptives. “This is an extremely important issue for women and their physicians to discuss,” says Dr. Margaret Drehobl, a primary care physician from the Department of Family Practice at Scripps Clinic in San Diego, California. “Women need to be aware that many antibiotics may cause their oral contraceptive to lose its effectiveness. This label change is important because women are concerned with the interaction between oral contraceptives and other drugs, including antibiotics.” Treatment with Avelox may result in certain side effects that are usually mild, including nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. As with any prescription, tell your physician about any medications you may be taking. Remember, your physician is the single best source of information regarding you and your health. For prescribing information on Avelox, visit www.aveloxusa.com or call 1-800-288-8371.

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