Browse Prescribing Notes by Therapeutic Subcategory

ANTIBIOTICS:
Interactions: Systemic antibiotics may reduce efficacy of oral contraceptives. Bactericidal drugs are primarily active against actively dividing cells. Therefore, bacteriostatic antibiotics (eg, tetracyclines) may interfere with the action of bactericidal antibiotics (eg, penicillins).
Adverse reactions: Pseudomembranous colitis may occur following the administration of systemic antibacterial agents. It may range in severity from mild to life-threatening. This diagnosis should be considered in patients who present with diarrhea subsequent to antibiotic therapy. Mild cases usually respond to discontinuing the drug; more severe cases may need supportive care and/or therapy with an agent effective against Clostridium difficile. Anti-motility drugs should be avoided since they may precipitate toxic megacolon. Also, overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungal overgrowth (superinfection) may occur with the prolonged use of antibiotics.
COMBINATION PROGESTIN + ESTROGEN PRODUCTS (oral contraceptives):
Contraindications: Thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders. Cerebrovascular or coronary artery disease. Breast or other estrogen-dependent neoplasms. Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding. Cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy or jaundice with prior OC use. Hepatic adenoma or carcinoma. Pregnancy (Cat.X).
Precautions: Smokers over 35 years of age: not recommended. Uncontrolled hypertension. Hypertriglyceridemia. Discontinue if jaundice, visual disturbances, migraine or other severe headaches occur. Do regular complete physical exams. May need barrier contraception with Sunday starts or postpartum use (see literature). Nursing mothers: not recommended.
Interactions: Antagonized by hepatic enzyme inducing drugs (eg, rifampin, griseofulvin, St. John's wort), possibly others. May affect measurement of sex hormone-binding globulin levels.
Adverse reactions: Hypertension, nausea, vomiting, breakthrough bleeding, amenorrhea, transient delay of ovulation after discontinuation, edema, chloasma, mastodynia, headache, intolerance to contact lenses. Increased risk of gallbladder disease, thromboembolic disorders.