What do I do if I miss taking one or more birth control pills?

The effectiveness of most birth control pills is strongly affected by how consistently they are taken. The effectiveness or side effects or chances of getting pregnantcan be altered by taking birth control pills late or by not taking them at the same time each day. Therefore, to get the highest effectiveness from birth control pills, take them at the same time every day and don't forget to take them. 

If you miss one of more pills, refer to the manufacturer package insert that came with your pills.

In general, for most birth control pills, the following should be followed:

Missing the inactive ("placebo") pills

If you you missed one or more of the last 7 pills in the pack ("placebo pills") in a 28-day pack  - don’t worry about it (except Mircette, where the last 7 pills do matter). In a 28-day pack, the last 7 pills are placebo or “sugar” pills. These have no active ingredients; the pills are just there to help you know when to start your new pack. But make sure you start your new pack on time, a week after you stopped the active pills.

Missing one or more active pills

If you miss taking one or more of the active pills (except the last 7 pills in the 28-day pack), then you may not be protected from pregnancy.

Here are some scenarios that require different approaches:

You missed 1 active (hormonal) pill or you started a pack 1 day late

  1. Take the next active (hormonal) pill as soon as possible and then continue taking pills daily.
  2. No additional contraceptive protection (such as condoms) is needed. 
  3. Emergency contraception (or "the morning after pill") is not needed.

You missed 2 or more active (hormonal) pills or if you started a pack 2 or more days late

  1. Take 2 active (hormonal) pills as soon as possible and then continue taking your regular pills daily. 
  2. You should take 2 pills on the same day. You may take one at the moment of remembering, and the other at the regular time or both at the same time.
  3. Use additional contraception such as condoms or abstain from sex until you have taken active (hormonal) pills for 7 days in a row.

You missed one or more active birth control pill and you HAD intercourse

  1. Emergency Contraception (EC) should be considered to prevent pregnancy. To get EC, call your nearest health center or pharmacy.
  2. Take one birth control pill as soon as you notice you have missed one or more.
  3. Use a backup method of birth control for the next 7 days.

If you missed 4 or less pills in a row and you did NOT have intercourse 

  1. Take one birth control pill as soon as you notice you have missed one or more.
  2. Use a backup method of birth control for the next 7 days.

If you missed 5 or more pills and you did NOT have intercourse 

  1. Continue taking one pill each day as usual until you reach the placebo (“sugar”) pills, or reach the end of your 21-day pack. 
  2. Do not take the placebo pills; instead start a new pack of pills. 
  3. Your bleeding may be unpredictable throughout this next cycle. 
  4. Keep taking your pills on-time each day regardless of whether you are bleeding or not.

If you did not have intercourse in the last 5 days:

  1. Take 2 birth control pills together as soon as you notice you have missed one or more.
  2. Use a backup method of birth control for the next 7 days.

If you missed 5 or more pills and you had intercourse

  1. Continue taking one pill each day as usual until you reach the placebo (“sugar”) pills, or reach the end of your 21-day pack.
  2. Do not take the placebo pills; instead start a new pack of pills. Your bleeding may be unpredictable throughout this next cycle.
  3. Consider using Emergency Contraception
  4. Keep taking your pills on-time each day regardless of whether you are bleeding or not.
  5. If you do not bleed, consider doing a pregnancy test about 7-10 days after you had sex

You missed the birth control pills in the third week of the pack

  1. Continue taking the active (hormonal) pills in your current pack daily. 
  2. When all active pills have been taken, discard the pack and begin a new pack the next day. 
  3. You should not take the 7 inactive pills.
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