Instructions when you forget to take Oral Contraceptives

It is not a problem if you take one birth control pill 9.5 hours later. A problem might occur, however, if you forget to take a pill for more than 48 hours (2 missed pills in a row). Here are the rules in case you forget to take your contraceptive pill (your case is described under number 1):


1. If you miss 1 tablet during the cycle—Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember. Take the next tablet at the usual time. You may take 2 tablets in one day. Then continue your regular dosing schedule.


2. If you miss the first tablet of a new cycle of pills—Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember and take the next tablet at the usual time. You may take 2 tablets in one day. Then continue your regular dosing schedule. Also, use another birth control method until you have taken seven days of tablets after the last missed dose.


3. If you MISS 2 PILLS in a row in the FIRST or SECOND week—Take 2 tablets on the day that you remember and 2 tablets the next day. Then continue taking 1 tablet a day. also use another birth control method (condom) until you begin a new cycle of pills.


4. If you miss 2 tablets in a row in the third week; or


5. If you miss 3 or more tablets in a row at any time during the cycle—


a. Using a Day-1 start: Throw out your current cycle and begin taking a new cycle. Also, use another birth control method until you have taken seven days of your tablets after the last missed dose. You may not have a menstrual period this month. But if you miss two menstrual periods in a row, call your health care professional.


b. Using a Sunday start: Keep taking one tablet a day from your current pack until Sunday. Then, on Sunday, throw out your old pack and begin a new pack. Also use another birth control method until you have taken seven days of your tablets after the last missed dose. You may not have a menstrual period this month. But if you miss two menstrual periods in a row, call your health care professional.


6. If you miss any of the last seven (inactive) tablets of a twenty-eight–day cycle, there is no danger of pregnancy. However, the first tablet (active) of the next month's cycle must be taken on the regularly scheduled day, in spite of any missed doses, if pregnancy is to be avoided. The active and inactive tablets are colored differently for your convenience.