Specialbb asked
I sometimes forget to take one or two of my combined hormone birth control tablets. I feel embarrassed that I have to call the pharmacy and ask what to do. Can you help?
Answer
When you miss doses of birth control pills, I always do recommend looking in the patient information that comes with your product. Generally, what to do is the same for most birth control pills, but it is important to be sure.
What to do, and whether or not you are at an increased risk of pregnancy, also depends on whether you are taking a combined hormone birth control pill or a progestin-only pill. Below are the general recommends for a combined hormone pill (containing both an estrogen and progestin).[1][2]
What to Do if You Miss Pills
If You Miss 1 Tablet Of Your Pack:
1. Take it as soon as you remember that you missed a dose. Take the next tablet at your regular time. You MAY be taking two tablets in one day (that is OK).
2. You do not need to use a back-up birth control method if you have sex.
If You Miss 2 Tablets In A Row In Week 1 Or Week 2 Of Your Pack:
1. Take two pills on the day you remember and two pills the next day.
2. Then take one pill a day until you finish the pack.
3. You could become pregnant if you have sex in the 7 days after you restart your pills. You must use another birth control method (such as a condom and spermicide) as a back-up for those 7 days.
If You Miss 2 Yellow Pills In A Row In Week 3 Or Week 4 Of Your Pack:
1. If you are a Day 1 Starter:
Throw out the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack that same day.
2. If you are a Sunday Starter:
Keep taking one pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day.
This is an EXAMPLE taken from the product information of an oral contraceptive named Yasmin. These are indicative of the kind of instructions presented when you miss a tablet.
Always double check the patient information of your specific product. All oral contraceptive products include patient information.
References
- ^ Recommended Actions After Late or Missed Combined Oral Contraceptives. Centers for Disease Control
- ^ Yaz Prescribing Information
