Issued by: The Department of Health
Pretoria - Women taking oral contraceptives and have been treated with antibiotics for the flu viruses currently sweeping the country might find themselves taking home bundles of joy after nine months, the Department of Health warns.
The Director of Maternal Child and Women's Health, Dr Eddie Mhlanga said women using oral contraceptives had to take extra caution when taking antibiotics to treat flu as antibiotics could render the pill ineffective, thereby exposing women to unplanned pregnancies.
He warned women to ensure condoms are used as an extra precautionary measure against unplanned pregnancies.
The Health Department's warning comes in the wake of the Sydney virus which has swept through the country since last month and fresh fears of the beginning of a fresh onslaught.
Hospitals and chemists around the country have been running low on flu mecicines and antibiotics, suggesting that doctors have been using this combination to treat patients.
"Antibiotics can render the contraceptive pill ineffective or useless. If a woman has been on the pill and is floored by the virus, if she cannot abstain, (then) make sure that a condom is used or there may be many unintended Sydneys nine months later," he said.
The extra precautionary measure should remain inforce until the next menstrual period. Women on the injectable contraception where not at risk, Dr Mhlanga added.
Explaining how the antibiotics lessened the efficacy of the pill, Dr Mhlanga said the contraceptive pill depended on friendly germs or bacteria in the stomach for absorption. A course of antibiotics tended to kill both bad and friendly bacteria and the pill therefore cannot be absorbed.
When treating flu, most doctors prescribe antibiotics without mentioning the risks to women patients. Dr Mhlanga also stressed that it was important for women to always ask a doctor or health professional whether medicines prescribed would affect the contraceptive pill they are taking.
The same precaution of ensuring the use of a condom must be taken by women on the contraceptive pill when they experience a bout of diarrhoea - which can be one of the symptoms of the flu viruses - that lasts for more than two days.
For more details contact:
Dr Eddie Mhlanga Director - Maternal, Child and Women's Health Department of Health 012 312-0190
19 June 1998