Can Beecham Ampiclox prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex?

Key Points:

• Ampiclox is an antibiotic for treating infection and not a contraceptive pill.
• Beecham Ampiclox cannot in any way prevent pregnancy.
• Using Ampiclox for pregnancy prevention is drug misuse and can build up resistance to the antibiotic.

Sex without the use of a condom is classified as unprotected sex, but if you did use a condom and it somehow broke, it still counts as unprotected sex. 

Unprotected sex has a lot of risks associated with it, which especially include unwanted pregnancy. There are certain measures you can take to prevent the situation and Ampiclox is not in the equation.

This article discusses what Beecham Ampiclox medication is; its common uses and if it prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex. So if you are wondering just how effective Beecham Ampiclox is for emergency contraception, keep reading. 

Beecham Ampiclox and the common uses of it.

In Nigeria, ampiclox is sold as Beecham, which is the brand name. So, Nigerians combine the brand name with the generic name and refer to it as ‘Beecham Ampiclox’ or ‘Ampiclox Beecham’.

Ampiclox capsule is a formulation of two antibiotics; Ampillicin Trihydrate and Cloxacillin Sodium. It is an antibiotic for treating bacterial infections associated with the nose, throat, skin, ear, lungs, soft tissues, airways and bone. 

Ampiclox is commonly called a ‘broad-spectrum’ antibiotic because it kills gram-negative bacteria, which are resistant to many drugs and most available antibiotics, and gram-positive bacteria that cause disease.

Ampiclox can be considered a semi-derivative of the penicillin drug. Ampicillin and cloxacillin are the active ingredients in Ampiclox which stops the growth of bacterial infection by killing the bacteria.

It can be administered through intramuscular means, intravenously or orally. Ampiclox is medically approved to treat infections which include;

• Gastrointestinal infections: Inflammation and infection of the stomach and intestines caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and sometimes, chemicals and drugs.
• Urinary tract infection: This occurs when bacteria usually from the skin or rectum penetrate the urethra and infects the organs in the urinary tract. 
• Respiratory tract infection: Any infectious disease that affects the upper or lower respiratory tract.
• Pelvic infections: A sexually transmitted disease that infects the female reproductive organs. It spreads from the vagina and infects the fallopian tube, uterus and ovaries.
• Infectious Endocarditis: A fatal Inflammation of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart, and the inner valves dividing the four chambers in the heart. 
• Septicaemia: Blood poisoning by bacteria. It is an extreme response of the body to an infection either from the skin, urinary tract, lungs, or intestines.
• Otitis media: Infection of the middle ear which leads to inflammation and build-up of fluid behind the eardrum.
• Orthopaedic infections: This condition affects the bones and joints and is often a complication of surgery or a traumatic experience. 

Cautionary Measures For Ampiclox

Before taking Ampiclox medication, certain conditions and lifestyle practices should be considered:

• Pregnancy. Pregnant women should consult with a doctor who will only prescribe Ampiclox if the reward is greater than the risk.
• Lactation/Breastfeeding: Nursing mothers and women who are actively breastfeeding should get medical advice from their healthcare providers before taking the medication.
• Liver disease. People with liver disease should consult their doctor for a dose adjustment if needed.
• Kidney problems or impairment. See a doctor and if you do not have one, you can virtually consult with a doctor on our KompleteCare health marketplace.
• Alcohol. Alcohol consumption should be reduced or limited when on ampiclox medication.

Ampiclox medication, if prescribed, will not affect you when driving and is safe for children. However, the dose and duration may change according to the age of the child and the type/severity of the infection.

Can Beecham Ampiclox prevent pregnancy?

There is a popular misconception among people that taking a capsule of Ampiclox after unprotected sex prevents pregnancy. Many people advocate for the use of Ampiclox as an emergency contraceptive. 

Although this is a common belief, scientific evidence for the effectiveness of antibiotics in preventing pregnancy does not exist.

Essentially, pregnancy occurs as a result of the union between the sperm and the egg. A woman is most fertile during the ovulation period and is very likely to get pregnant after unprotected sex during that time. 

To prevent this, there are Emergency Contraception Pills (ECPs) that can be taken within 72 (3 days) to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex, and are most effective when taken immediately.

ECPs are used after unprotected sex, coerced sex, sexual assault and contraceptive failure. ECPs prevent pregnancy by delaying ovulation, disrupting the fertilization process, or preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus. 

However, Beecham Ampiclox is an antibiotic and not an emergency contraception. Ampiclox is an antibiotic designed primarily to treat bacterial infections. 

It is not listed among natural and non-hormonal methods to prevent pregnancy. Ampiclox is also not an Emergency Contraception Pill (ECP).

Due to ignorance or secrecy, many people may have the notion of using Ampiclox as an emergency pill and birth control method. 

The fact that Ampiclox is widely available in many pharmacies in the country just compounds the problem even more. 

Can Beecham Ampiclox prevent pregnancy if taken after ovulation? 

The answer is no. Contrary to popular belief, Beecham Ampiclox does not prevent pregnancy after ovulation nor does it flush out sperm. It is an antibiotic that kills bacteria and eggs are not bacteria. Using Ampiclox to prevent pregnancy is doing your body system more harm than good. 

Risks and side effects of Beecham Ampiclox being used as a contraceptive drug

Beecham Ampiclox is not effective for emergency contraception and it can be dangerous to use it in this manner. Ampiclox is not approved as emergency contraception and should not be administered as such. 

Ampiclox is an antibiotic and using it for contraception or any other purpose for which it is not designed is drug misuse. One of the various risks and side effects of using Beecham Ampiclox for emergency contraception is antibiotic resistance.

Using antibiotics unnecessarily can contribute to antibiotic resistance. Germs that were initially responsive to antibiotics become resistant to it, thereby making it even harder to treat bacterial infections. 

A 2022 study reveals that staphylococcus aureus showed resistance to ampicillin‐cloxacillin in Nigeria and that microbial resistance is a potential consequence of Ampiclox misuse. 

Infections arising from bacterial resistance will most likely lead to adverse outcomes which include mortality, treatment failure, and reduced quality of life.

Furthermore, using Ampiclox as a contraceptive can decrease the efficacy of oral contraceptives that contain oestrogen. 

It may also disrupt the absorption of other medications because of the effect it has on gastrointestinal flora. 

Additionally, taking Beecham Ampiclox when it is not needed can cause side effects such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions.

Allergic reactions to Beecham Ampiclox

Serious allergic reactions to Beecham Ampiclox are rare but can range from mild to severe. Mild allergic reactions may include skin rash, itching, and hives. More severe allergic reactions may include difficulty in breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

What are some potential side effects of Ampiclox?

Common side effects of Ampiclox include nausea, rashes, diarrhoea, headaches, vomiting and stomach pain. 

Most of the time, these side effects do not need serious medical attention and will typically resolve after a few days. 

However, consult a doctor or visit the nearest hospital if the side effects persist and are severe. 

Other options for emergency contraception

Although Beecham Ampiclox is not an effective form of emergency contraception, there are other alternative emergency contraception options to Beecham Ampiclox. 

A common emergency contraception is the morning-after pill, which can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. 

There are two types of morning-after pills: progestin-only pills (such as Plan B) and combination pills (such as Ella). Both types work by preventing ovulation or delaying ovulation.

Another alternative emergency contraceptive is Postinor 2 which is tested, effective and approved as an emergency contraceptive. However, Postinor 2 should not be taken too much in a cycle. 

Another option for emergency contraception is the copper intrauterine device (IUD) which is a small T-shaped device inserted into the uterus by a doctor or healthcare provider. 

It can be used up to five days after unprotected sex and can also be used as a long-term form of birth control.

Conclusion

• Ampiclox is an antibiotic for treating infection and not a contraceptive pill.
• Ampiclox cannot in any way prevent pregnancy.
• Using Ampiclox for pregnancy prevention is drug misuse and can build up resistance to the antibiotic.

No research, source or drug agency has confirmed and approved Ampiclox as a contraceptive for pregnancy prevention. So any information advocating for the use of Ampiclox as a contraceptive should be disregarded.

Beecham Ampiclox has no potential as an emergency contraceptive and it is not a recommended or reliable method of preventing pregnancy. 

If you are sexually active and concerned about unwanted pregnancy or other reproductive health issues, get expert medical advice from a Gynaecologist on KompleteCare who will help provide you with approved and safe methods.

References

Asaolu, I., Kram, N., Ajala, C., Aquaisua, E., Asaolu, A., Abuh, A., Bernand, M., & Ehiri, J. (2021). “Antibiotics Can Work as a Contraceptive:” Contraceptive Knowledge and Use Among University Students in Calabar, Nigeria. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/frph.2021.665653

Ajayi, A.I., Nwokocha, E.E., Akpan, W. et al. Use of non-emergency contraceptive pills and concoctions as emergency contraception among Nigerian University students: results of a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 16, 1046 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3707-4

Beecham Ampiclox. (n.d.). Drugs.com. Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://www.drugs.com/international/beecham-ampiclox.html

Can Ampiclox Prevent pregnancy? – Public Health

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