Can Antibiotics Interact with other Medications?

Certain medications have an effect on classes of antibiotics, and vice versa. Antibiotics can interact with other prescription and non-prescription drugs. For example, the drug Biaxin (a type of antibiotic) must not be taken with Reglan (a digestive system drug).

Drug interactions may reduce the efficacy of a certain medication, intensify the side effects of the drugs, or increase the effects of the drugs. This is true for antibiotics and any other drugs. If antibiotics will be taken together with a non-compatible drug, it can result in one or both drugs causing harm to the body, or one or both drugs not working properly.

Contraceptive pills lose their efficacy if taken together with antibiotic therapy. Alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics. Always exercise caution when taking multiple medications. If you are using a combination of drugs, the addition of antibiotics might create a risk of increasing the activity or reducing the activity of one of the other drugs.

Be sure to ask you pharmacists or doctor if the medications you have been taking can still work properly if you will take antibiotics with them. Even natural supplements can be affected so tell your doctor about it as well. Always take this issue seriously to avoid harm than good.