If you are late taking a birth control pill, take your “late” pill as soon as you remember it. If you miss a pill by a whole day (24 hours or more), use this chart to find out what to do.
Missed one pill?
|
Week |
How many pills to take |
How to protect yourself |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Take 2 pills as soon as possible. |
Use condoms for the next 7 days. Take the emergency contraceptive pill (Plan B) if you’ve had unprotected sex in the last five days or if you have unprotected sex in the next 7 days. You are not protected from pregnancy until you take your birth control every day for 7 days. |
|
2 or 3 |
Take 2 pills as soon as possible. Finish your package. |
You don’t need extra protection or the emergency contraceptive pill. |
|
4 |
None. Start your next package on time. |
No extra protection needed. These pills are inactive. |
Missed more than one pill?
- Take two pills as soon as possible and continue taking your pills as usual.
- Use a condom for the next seven days.
- Take the emergency contraceptive pill (Plan B) if you’ve had unprotected sex in the last five days.
- If you have unprotected sex in the seven days after you miss pills, take the emergency contraceptive pill (Plan B).
Still need help?
Call us at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.