LSMP logo
link: home page
link: news page
link: health advice page
link: travel page
link: appointments page
link: services & clinics page
link: team page
link: contact us & useful telephone numbers
link: maps & directions
link: on-line appointments etc
link: on-line registration
link: search & site map

Link:University of Leeds web site
Link: NHS Choices web site
HOME / HEALTH ADVICE / MISSED PILL

Health Advice Title
PreviousReturn to listNext
Print this document

Missed pill

Missed pill guidelines help you work out what you need to do if you have forgotten to take your contraceptive pills at the normal time or on the normal day

Has one pill has been missed (more than 24 hours but less than 48 hours late)?
arrow
The missed pill should be taken as soon as it is remembered
-
The remaining pills should be continued at the usual time
 
arrow
  
Minimising the risk of pregnancy
Emergency contraception (EC) is not usually required but may need to be considered if pills have been missed earlier in the packet or in the last week of the previous packet

 

Are you more than 48 hours late and have missed taking two or more pills?
 
arrow
  
The most recent missed pill should be taken as soon as possible
-
The remaining pills should be continued at the usual time
-
Condoms should be used or sex avoided until seven consecutive active pills have been taken. This advice may be overcautious in the second and third weeks, but the advice is a backup in the event that further pills are missed
 
arrow
  
Minimising the risk of pregnancy
If pills are missed in the first week (pills 1-7)
Emergency contraception should be considered if unprotected sex occurrred in the pill-free interval or in the first week of pill-taking
If pills are missed in the second week (pills 8–14)
No indication for emergency contraception if the pills in the preceding 7 days have been taken consistently and correctly (assuming the pills thereafter are taken correctly and additional contraceptive precautions are used)
If pills are missed in the third week (pills 15–21)
OMIT THE PILL-FREE INTERVAL by finishing the pills in the current pack (or discarding any placebo tablets) and starting a new pack the next day

Antibiotics and Combined Hormonal Contraception
Expert opinion now believes that taking antibiotics does not affect the combined contraceptive pill, patch or vaginal ring. Remember to continue to take your contraception as normal whilst you are unwell, and that vomiting and severe diarrhoea may affect your pill, patch or vaginal ring. [Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare January 2011]

Source: Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Clinical Effectiveness Unit
Back to top
PreviousReturn to listNext
 Print this document
 
 
Advice to users
Contact the Web Master
Last revision: June 2011