What is currently known about the interaction of oral contraceptives and antibiotic drugs? This remains a pertinent question for all dermatologists. At our institution, a large number of women of child-bearing age are seen at the student infirmary. During eight typical half-day dermatology clinics, 53 women were seen with inflammatory papulopustular or cystic acne who were appropriate candidates for oral antibiotics. Of these women, 27 (51%) were receiving some form of oral contraceptive agent. After a brief discussion regarding the possibility of decreased efficacy, one patient refused oral therapy and two patients expressed enough concern so that topical therapy was minimized and oral therapy was deferred.
This recent sample of patient communication with the physician points up the importance of understanding the current data available regarding the interaction of oral contraceptives with antibiotic therapy. Indeed, 10 million women in the United States are currently taking oral contraceptives.1 The 1989