and Do these antibiotics make my birth control worthless?
Comedy aside, these are actually good questionsand ones most of us probably ask when were given that prescription.
Here are some answers.
So…Can I Drink on These Antibiotics?
In most cases yes, but check the label.
A few antibiotics, includingsulfonamide or sulfa drugslikeBactrim, interact badly with alcohol.
This wont make the antibiotic less effective, but can make you feel really awful.
So awful, in fact, that similar drugsare used as a treatment for alcoholism.
Youre reading that stuff anyway, right?
Do Antibiotics Mess With Birth Control or Other Drugs?
Theres one antibacterial known to interfere with hormonal birth control:rifampicin(brand names Rifadin and Rimactane).
There is also an antifungal drug calledgriseofulvinthat can affect the Pill too.
Some other antibiotics, besides these two, come with a warning to use a condom anyway.
Other drugs can interact with antibioticsrarely, but its possible.
For example,macrolideantibiotics andstatinscan combine to cause heart problems.
If you take prescription medications regularly, skim throughthis list of antibiotic drug interactionsso you know what to expect.
at that clinic can flag a dangerous combination.
Can I Be Immune to Certain Antibiotics?
Z-pak Never Works for Me.
Youcant be resistant to antibiotics, but the germs that make up your infection can.
This is different from an allergy.
The result: symptoms that may be anywhere between annoying andlife-threatening.
An allergy means that drug is off-limits for you, from now on.
That could explain why it doesnt work as often for you.
Ideally, your provider will find out what the creatures living inside you are susceptible to.
Call the doc and ask if you need another prescription.
Will Antibiotics Cure My [Insert Ailment Here]?
The cold, flu, and sinus and ear infections are typically triggered by a virus.
That means antibiotics wont work against them, despite being commonly prescribed.
Bacteriaare little living creatures made of just one cell each.
Virusesare not so complex.
Antibiotics that kill bacteria are useless against viruses.
For those, a responsible doctor will send you home without any drugs.
But if the Doc Gave Me Antibiotics, Doesnt That Mean I Need Them?
Docs may hand out antibiotic prescriptions because patients ask for or expect them.
They can also kill off our healthy bacteria, leading to yeast infections and diarrhea.
So the best approaches, we now know, avoid using antibiotics except where theyre really necessary.
Should I Be Taking Probiotics?
Youre not guaranteed to get results, but snacking on yogurtwont hurt, and might help.
What Happens If I Dont Take All My Pills?
Youve seen the warnings on the pill bottles: Finish all of this medication unless otherwise directed by prescriber.
Repeat this a few times, and youve just given those resistant germs an evolutionary boost.
Still, its a strong recommendation, not a commandment.
Theyll probably tell you to stop taking it, and maybe call in a new prescription.
