Expert: Norman Solberg - 1/19/2009

Question
Hi, I'm currently taking 100 mg minocycline for acne as well as synthroid 112mcg for congenital hypothyroidism. My Ob/gyn recently put me on ortho tricyclen lo. I'm worried about how my current medication will change the effectiveness of the birth control. How much WILL it be effected and what should I do?

Answer
No one knows the exact answer to your question.  Here is a quote from the Mayo Clinic web page:
"Researchers can't rule out the possibility that a small percentage of women may experience decreased effectiveness of birth control pills while taking an antibiotic. And if you're taking a newer, extremely low-dose oral contraceptive, you could be more susceptible to these potential effects from antibiotics."
I would talk to your OB/GYN about maybe using a pill that is not quite as low dose as Ortho Tricyclen Lo.  Even with your current pill, your chances of getting pregnant are very low, but perhaps not as low as if you were not on minocycline.