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Missed Pill Advice

New guidance on missed pill recommendations(May 2011)


What do I do if I forget a Combined (COC) pill?

Missing pills or starting a pack late may make your pill less effective.The chance of pregnancy depends on when the pills were missed and how many pills are missed.


(Note for those clients taking  'Qlaira' :please follow the pharmaceutical company's advice for missed pills)


If you have missed one pill or started the new pack one day late:

(A missed pill is one that is more than 24 hours late.)

  • Take the last pill you missed now even if it means taking two pills in one day
  • Continue taking the rest of the pack as usual
  • No additional contraception needed
  • Take your 7-day break as normal

Emergency contraception is not usually required but may need to be considered if pills have been missed earlier in the pack or in the last week of the previous pack


If you have missed two or more pills or if you have started the new pack two or more days late:
  • Take the last pill you missed now -even if it means taking two pills in one day
  • Leave any earlier missed pills
  • Continue taking the rest of the pack as usual and use condoms or avoid sex for the next 7 days
  • You may need emergency contraception (see A below)
  • You may need to start the next pack without a break (see B below)

A: Emergency contraception

If you have had unprotected sex in the previous 7 days you may need emergency contraception. Get advice from the contraceptive clinic, your family Doctor or a pharmacist.

B: Starting the next pack after missing two or more pills


If Seven or more pills are left in the pack after the last missed pill:

  • Finish the pack
  • Have the usual 7-day break
If less than seven pills are left in the pack after the last missed pill:

  • Finish the pack and begin a new one the next day (this means missing out the break or not taking the placebo tablets)




What do I do if I forget a Progestogen only (POP)pill ? 

 Traditional POP : Micronor, Noriday, Norgeston,Femulen
 More than 27 hours since last pill taken (more than 3 hours late)

Desogestrel-only: Cerazette
More than 36 hours since last pill taken (more than 12 hours late)

  • Take pill as soon as remembered. If more than one pill missed only take one pill.

  • Take next pill at usual time even if you take 2 pills on the same day.This is not harmful.

  • Use an aditional method ie condoms or abstinence for the next 48 hours

Emergency contraception may be indicated if sex occurs within the 48 hour period


Further information can be found on 

http://www.fpa.org.uk/

http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc




Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any worries regarding missed pills. Our telephone number is 07781 103434