sparkle90 asked
I am on the Tri Sprintec pill. I was supposed to take my week 1 day 5 pill last night, but took a week 2 pill by mistake. I noticed it this morning, freaked out and took the right pill right away. Was that the right thing to do? I am planning on continue taking my week 1 pills tonight. Is that the right thing to do? What should I do now, I would be one pill short in week 2. Should I get plan B today? Kinda panicking.
Answer
Tri-Sprintec is a "tri-phasic" birth control pill that contains different amounts of estrogen and progestin each week throughout the 21 day cycle. Tri-phasic pills were created to more closely resemble the amounts of estrogen and progesterone during a normal menstrual cycle. According to a few studies, this may decrease certain side effects such as:
- Spotting
- Breakthrough bleeding
- Amenorrhea (missed period)
The first week of Tri-Sprintec pills (grey) contains:
- 7 tablets of 0.18 mg of norgestimate and 35 mcg of ethinyl estradiol
The second week of Tri-Sprintec pills (light blue) contains:
- 7 tablets of 0.215 mg of norgestimate and 35 mcg of ethinyl estradiol
The third week of Tri-Sprintec pills (blue) contains:
- 7 tablets of 0.25 mg of norgestimate and 35 mcg of ethinyl estradiol
Accidentally Taking The Wrong Tri-Sprintec Pill
If you accidentally take the wrong Tri-Sprintec pill, you are still protected from pregnancy, as long as it was one of the active (i.e. hormone containing pills). If this happens, simply continue the rest of the pack by taking one active pill daily.
For example:
- If you are on week 1 of Tri-Sprintec pills and accidentally take a week 2 pill, you will still be protected from pregnancy. There is no need to re-dose that day.
- Continue taking your active pills daily as normal and just substitute the week 2 pill you already took with the week 1 pill.
Week 2 pills and week 3 pills contain more hormones than the week 1 pills. By taking a wrong dose, there is a slight risk of more side effects due to the change in hormone dose. These side effects include:
- Breast tenderness
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Spotting
- Breakthrough bleeding
A one time occurrence of the wrong pill shouldn't cause too many problems and major side effects would be extremely uncommon. As mentioned, your wrong dose still contained hormones and you should still be protected from pregnancy.
Missing One Dose Of Tri-Sprintec
In your situation, you stated you re-dosed with a week 1 pill (which you do not need to do if this happens in the future) and now will be one pill short. If possible, go to your pharmacy and see if they are able to fill another pack. That way, you can use this "extra" pack to substitute in lost doses in the future.
If you miss one dose, you must follow the instructions for missed doses from the prescribing information.
- If you miss 1 pill in week 1, 2 or 3 (gray, light blue or blue pill), Take it as soon as you remember.
- Take the next pill at your regular time.
- This means you may take 2 pills in 1 day.
- You do not need to use a back-up birth control method if you have sex as you should still be protected from pregnancy.
