Should you take Postinor 2 and ampiclox together?

 Key takeaways:

• Postinor 2 is a pill that prevents pregnancy, while ampiclox is an antibacterial medication.
• Healthcare providers typically consider it safe to take Postinor 2 and ampiclox together.
• But, it is best to speak with a doctor before taking either medication.

Postinor 2 is used as an emergency contraceptive, while ampiclox is used to treat bacterial infections.

A common misconception is that taking ampiclox after unprotected sexual intercourse can prevent pregnancy. However, this is entirely untrue because ampiclox is not intended to be used as a contraceptive.

Postinor 2 and ampiclox may be safe to take together if prescribed by a doctor. However, it is unsafe to misuse either medication or to self-medicate.

This article will discuss what ampiclox and postinor are and what they are used for. We also find out if it is safe to take them together.

 Postinor 2 vs. ampiclox

Postinor 2 is an emergency contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy, while ampiclox is an antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections.

While ampiclox is approved for treating certain infections caused by bacteria, it remains one of the most commonly abused antibiotics in Nigeria, as some people wrongly use it as a contraceptive.

It is important to highlight that ampiclox and Postinor 2 are different drugs designed for unrelated purposes. The difference between Postinor 2 and ampiclox lies in the active ingredients used to produce them and their uses. While the active ingredient in Postinor 2 is levonorgestrel, ampiclox contains ampicillin and cloxacillin as active ingredients.

 What is Postinor 2 used for?

Postinor 2 is an emergency contraceptive pill. It is also called the morning-after pill or plan B. It is most effective when taken within the first 24-72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.

The effectiveness of Postinor 2 decreases as the interval between intercourse and taking the drug increases. This means that it is more effective in the first 24 hours than when taken after 48 or 72 hours.

 What is ampiclox used for?

Ampiclox is an antibiotic consisting of ampicillin and cloxacillin, which are members of the penicillin family. It helps fight infections caused by gram-positive organisms (bacteria with thick cell walls).

Ampiclox works by removing or destroying those organisms' thick cell walls, eventually leading to their death. It is used to treat infections like respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, infections in the stomach or intestine, and genital tracts.

 Is it safe to take Postinor 2 and ampiclox together?

Whether it is safe to use Postinor 2 and ampiclox together depends on the purpose of the use and whether a doctor prescribed the medications.

No research has shown that it is dangerous or unsafe to take Postinor 2 and ampiclox together. However, taking both medications simultaneously in the right dosage for the situations they are intended for may not pose a danger.

Antibiotics often don't affect contraception or birth control. One older 1990 study indicated that broad-spectrum antibiotics like ampicillin could interact with contraceptives, causing the failure of contraceptive pills to stop pregnancy. However, more recent studies contradict that, indicating that broad-spectrum antibiotics do not interact with contraceptive pills. Only rifampicin-like antibiotics may interfere with contraceptive drugs.

Aside from wrongly taking ampiclox to prevent pregnancy, some people combine ampiclox with Postinor 2 after unprotected sex to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). People who do this believe that since ampiclox is an antibiotic, taking it with Postinor will prevent pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted diseases. But this is not true, as Postinor 2 does not prevent STDs, and ampiclox will not work for viral STDs.

Studies have shown that ampicillin, one of the active ingredients in ampiclox, can be used to treat certain bacterial-caused STDs like gonorrhea. However, this is not enough reason why people should self-medicate on their own by combining ampiclox with Postinor 2.

If you have unprotected sex and suspect you may have an STD, it is safer to get medical advice from your doctor. Your doctor will first examine your signs and symptoms and make a proper diagnosis. Contrary to what you think, you may have viral STDs like herpes, and in that case, you won't need antibiotics because antibiotics only work on bacterial infections.

On the other hand, if you get diagnosed with a bacterial STD, your doctor will prescribe the right medication at the right dosage, depending on the particular organism that caused the infection. Trust your healthcare team to find the best line of treatment for you. If there is any reason to use Postinor 2 and ampiclox together, your healthcare team will be in a better position to let you know.

 Should you take Postinor 2 and ampiclox to prevent pregnancy?

Ampiclox is not an oral contraceptive and should never be used in place of an oral contraceptive or used together with an oral contraceptive such as Postinor 2 for the purpose of preventing pregnancy.

Using medication for a purpose it is not intended for is called drug misuse. When antibiotic medications are misused, it increases the risk of developing resistance to bacterial infections.

Emergency contraceptives like Postinor 2 can be taken alone to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. However, if you have any of these health conditions, you should avoid taking Postinor 2 until you speak with your healthcare provider:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes mellitus
• Ischaemic heart disease (caused by reduction of blood flow to the heart).
• Previously suffered a stroke
• If you have any kidney or vascular disease damage.

Also, Postinor 2 should not be taken as a regular contraceptive. It should not be taken multiple times in one menstrual cycle. If you are sexually active but don't want to get pregnant, speak with your doctor to help determine the best birth control method for you.

 Which antibiotics can affect birth control pills?

Different reliable sources indicate that Rifampin, also known as Rifadin, is the only antibiotic that affects birth control pills or hormonal contraceptives.

There are different types of birth control pills, including emergency birth control pills (e.g., Postinor 2), combination birth control pills (e.g., Levofem), and progestin-only birth control pills (e.g., Nor-QD). They are mostly hormone-based pills that work in different ways, such as delaying ovulation to prevent pregnancy.

Rifampin affects birth control pills causing irregular periods. It interferes with the work of birth control pills, therefore increasing the risk of birth control failures and the risk of a person getting pregnant when on pills.

Rifampin is a medication for treating tuberculosis. It works effectively for this purpose.

If you are using Rifampin and want to go on birth control, you should consult your doctor to know the best thing to do.

 Takeaway

Postinor 2 and ampiclox are effective when used for what they are made for. Abusing ampiclox will only lead to a worse bacterial infection; therefore, it shouldn't be used in place of a contraceptive.

If you ever need to use the two drugs simultaneously, make sure to consult with your doctor.