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Pharmacy/Mixture of Pills

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Expert: Nigel Simmons - 7/20/2007


Question
My Dentist has just prescribed me Amoxicillin and i failed to tell her that i am already taking the contraceptive pill Microgynon. Is it okay to combine these 2 medicines and do i need to take any extra precautions?

Answer
Joanne

Fortunate timing as I'm likely to be off-line most of the weekend.

There is no theoretical problem with taking oral contraceptives and penicillins. However some patients can develop stomach upsets which will increase gut transit time and reduce absorbtion of medication like contraceptives.

If you have previously used amoxicillin without problems, then things should be fine. If you have previously had problems or develop symptoms, then using additional precautions for the remainder of the cycle would be advisible.

I hope this helps.

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Nigel Simmons

Expertise

I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised. Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner. I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question. Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?

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Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
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Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.

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