Drug Information Question 1 - Birth Control and Antibiotics

Drug Information Question

How long is a secondary form of birth control needed for a patient on Quasense (0.15 mg of levonorgestrel and 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol) with the administration of cephalexin 10 day prescription? Quasense is an extended cycle 3 month pack birth control. 

Answer

Called Actavis at the phone number listed on the Quasense package insert.  Actavis response was that antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of Quasense.  There are no current studies on this issue and Actavis recommends using a backup method until checking with doctor. 

We decided to call the patient and informed them on the limited information available on this topic.  We suggested that the patient talk to their physician and that the most conservative approach would be to use a back up method of birth control for the rest of the 3 month pack.