The possibility of antibiotics affecting birth control medications is always a hot topic due to the potentially serious consequences of an interaction. The interaction is based primarily on the theory that since birth control pills partially rely on normal bacteria in the gut to help metabolize and absorb estrogen in the body, disrupting those bacteria may decrease the effectiveness of birth control. Studies on this matter have continually shown that most antibiotics do NOT cause any problems with hormonal contraceptive concentrations. Most, if not all, studies conclude that most antibiotics (such as amoxicillin and minocycline) do not significantly change oral contraceptive levels in the vast majority of patients and that a backup contraceptive method if contraceptives are used reliably. during the use of antibiotics. However, FEW DID patients were found to have lower hormone levels after taking antibiotics. However, there were no clinical effects associated with this
The only class of antibiotics that cause a real serious interaction with birth control is known as the rifamycin class of antibiotics. They greatly speed up how quickly birth control is broken down in the liver. Fortunately, minocycline is not in that class.
Most studies relate to short-term antibiotic use and during long-term antibiotic use, the risk of drug interaction is less clear. The best chance to help reduce the risk of a possible interaction is to take a medium to high dose of a combined oral contraceptive (both estrogen and progestin). Also, a non-oral contraceptive method, such as intravaginal rings and patches, would avoid this interaction almost completely.
It is often reported by various literature sources and websites that separating the doses of an antibiotic and birth control (taken in the morning and at night) can help, but there is no evidence that this is a better way to do it. . Usually, that method works well if there is a real interaction between two products. In this case, we are concerned with altered levels of bacteria in the gut, not two drugs interacting with each other. Long-term administration is likely to change the normal levels of bacteria in the gut for an extended period of time, so splitting the doses is not likely to have much benefit.
So as far as the best recommendation, people are probably fine taking birth control and antibiotics together. It is very important to make sure that you are consistent when you take birth control. Always watch out for breakthrough bleeding, spotting, and any similar side effects, as it could indicate fluctuating hormone levels in the body.