Q. I recently became pregnant while taking the birth control pill. I was later told that antibiotics can make the pill inactive and that my doctor and pharmacist should have warned me. Is this true? If so, does this apply to any antibiotic?
A. Doctors have been debating this question for decades. Some anecdotal data suggest that a variety of antibiotics (penicillin, tetracycline, etc) may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Many health care providers caution female patients to use backup contraception if they need an antibiotic while taking the pill.
Another perspective is that contraceptive failures may occur regardless of antibiotic use. Until large, careful studies can answer the question, we urge women on oral contraceptives to take extra measures if they are prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Q. I was fascinated to read your column about the blond growing black hair while taking cholesterol medicines. My 84-year-old mother let her naturally black hair go silver-gray ten years ago.
Then she began taking Zocor and later noticed the roots were growing in black. She is not pleased about this because it makes her silver hair look dirty. But when she asked her doctor about it, he had no answer except to say that if she figures it out, she could probably make a fortune!
A. We could find no scientific studies of this effect, but dozens of readers responded to the report that the combination of Zocor and Zetia was associated with the growth of black hair. One said, “Since taking Zocor, my hair has gone from dishwater blonde to dark brown. Friends have asked me why I dye my hair such a dark color. I’ve never dyed my hair in my life. Some ladies are even so bold as to check my roots.”
Another woman wrote, “My husband has been on Zocor for years and his gray/white hair is turning black. At first I was sure he was coloring his hair! We finally figured out that it must be one of his medications.”
Q. You recently had a letter from someone who couldn’t afford Lipitor. If he makes less than $19,000 a year ($31,000 for families), he can get Lipitor for free, like I do.
Pfizer, the maker of Lipitor, has a program called Connection To Care that works through the doctor. You and your doctor fill out the form and the Lipitor is sent to the doctor’s office every three months. There are many programs out there to help those who cannot afford their medicines.
A. Many drug companies offer free medicine to people who have no insurance and little income. Eligibility varies from one company to another and sometimes between drugs within the same company. People need to submit their financial information along with the application and their prescription. The pharmaceutical industry lists many of these programs on the Web site: www.helpingpatients.org.
People who don’t qualify for free medicine may want more information on other options. We have prepared a new Guide to Saving Money on Medicine that tells about Canadian pharmacies and other ways to economize. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. CA-99, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
