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Masters KP, Carr BM. Survey of pharmacists and physicians on drug interactions between combined oral contraceptives and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Pharm Pract (Granada). 2009;7(3):139-44doi: 10.4321/s1886-36552009000300002.
Masters, K. P., & Carr, B. M. (2009). Survey of pharmacists and physicians on drug interactions between combined oral contraceptives and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Pharmacy practice, 7(3), 139-44. https://doi.org/10.4321/s1886-36552009000300002
Masters, Kelly P, and Carr, Beth M. "Survey of pharmacists and physicians on drug interactions between combined oral contraceptives and broad-spectrum antibiotics." Pharmacy practice vol. 7,3 (2009): 139-44. doi: https://doi.org/10.4321/s1886-36552009000300002
Masters KP, Carr BM. Survey of pharmacists and physicians on drug interactions between combined oral contraceptives and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Pharm Pract (Granada). 2009 Jul;7(3):139-44. doi: 10.4321/s1886-36552009000300002. Epub 2009 Mar 15. PMID: 25143790; PMCID: PMC4139044.
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Pharm Pract (Granada). 2009 Jul;7(3):139-44. doi: 10.4321/s1886-36552009000300002. Epub 2009 Mar 15.

Survey of pharmacists and physicians on drug interactions between combined oral contraceptives and broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Pharmacy practice

Kelly P Masters, Beth M Carr

Affiliations

  1. Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice. Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University . Winchester, VA ( United Stated ).
  2. Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University . Winchester, VA ( United Stated ).

PMID: 25143790 PMCID: PMC4139044 DOI: 10.4321/s1886-36552009000300002

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate physician and pharmacist knowledge on potential drug interactions between combined oral contraceptives (COC) and broad-spectrum antibiotics and determine if any difference exists between responses.

METHODS: Two hundred licensed retail pharmacists and 200 licensed family practice physicians in the states of Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland were mailed an anonymous survey between August 2007 and November 2007. The survey consisted of 3 short questions asking practitioners about their current opinion on drug interactions with COCs and whether an alternative form of contraception is needed for patients taking COC and concomitant broad-spectrum antibiotics. The main outcome measure of the survey included: identifying how physicians and pharmacists handle prescribing or dispensing COCs along with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Gender, educational degree, and years in practice were also collected.

RESULTS: A total of 182 participants returned the surveys (57% were physicians and 43% were pharmacists). When asked if broad-spectrum antibiotics have a clinically significant interaction with COCs, 82.7% of physicians and 88.5% of pharmacists answered, "yes". Of the respondents, 84.6% stated that the drug interaction warrants the patient to be advised to use back-up contraception. A total of 90.1% stated that they currently instruct patients to use back-up contraception when prescribing or dispensing antibiotics to a patient who is on COC, with no statistically significant difference existing between the responses of the pharmacists and the physicians.

CONCLUSION: Physicians and pharmacists believe that broad-spectrum antibiotics decrease the effectiveness of COCs. These practitioners warn their patients of this interaction and advise the use of back-up contraception. More education should be provided to practitioners regarding the data concerning COCs and broad spectrum antibiotics and lack of a proven interaction.

Keywords: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Combined; Contraceptives; Drug Interactions; Oral; United States

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