Handling Missed Pills
Have you ever thought you’d forgotten something but you weren’t quite sure what it was? Sometimes things just slip through the net and people forget things – like their phone, their keys or their birth control pill.
You should take your birth control pill at the same time every day. If you forget to take it, don’t panic. Before moving on, ensure you have read all your label information and follow the applicable directions for whatever form of birth control you are utilizing. Read on to find out what you must do if you forget your OTC contraceptive pill.
What Is Opill®?
Opill® is the first FDA-approved over-the-counter (OTC) progestin-only daily birth control pill (also known as a POP). It prevents pregnancy by thickening the cervical mucus and preventing ovulation in some cycles.
Opill® is a second-generation progestin-only pill and each pill contains 0.075 mg of norgestrel (progestin), a synthetic form of progesterone. It is the same birth control pill that was first prescribed by doctors over 50 years ago. When taken at the same time every day and used as directed, Opill is 98% effective at preventing unplanned pregnancy. Find out more about Opill® here.
What Happens If I Miss My OTC Progestin-Only Pill?
OTC progestin-only pills, like Opill, are most effective when taken at the same time every day, and it should be taken within the same 3-hour time frame every day.* Each Opill® pack contains 28 pills for every day of a 28-day cycle, each with 0.075 mg norgestrel (progestin). Don’t take a break between packs. When you finish one pack, you should start the next pack the following day. The days of the week are printed on the pack, and arrows show the order to take the tablets.
Every time you start a new pack of Opill®, take a pill labelled with the correct day. For example, if you start on a Wednesday, you take the first pill marked with Wednesday. Following the order on the pill pack helps to keep you on a consistent schedule and helps to prevent accidentally missing a pill or taking an extra pill.
It is important to get into a routine with Opill® and take it at the same time every day, and no later than 3 hours from the time you took your pill the day before. If you do forget, and it’s less than 3 hours later than the time you took the pill the day before, don’t worry. Take 1 pill immediately and go back to taking your pill at your usual time the following day.*
*Read all label information and use as directed.
Missing Your Pill by More Than 3 Hours
Opill® works by thickening the cervical mucus and preventing ovulation in some cycles to help prevent pregnancy. Taking OTC progestin-only pills at the same time every day - and within 3-hours from the time you took it the day before - maintains the progestin-induced thickened cervical mucus.
If you are more than 3 hours late, your OTC progestin-only birth control pill may be less effective. If it’s been more than 3 hours, you take 1 tablet immediately, as soon as you remember and then go back to taking the next tablet at the usual time, even if it means you take two tablets in one day. For example, if you usually take your tablet at night but forget and then remember the next morning, take 1 tablet when you remember and then take 1 tablet again at your usual time that night.
You must use a condom (or another barrier method) every time you have sex during for the next 48 hours after you restart your OTC progestin only birth control pill, because it takes 2 days to start working again.
Take a pregnancy test or talk to a doctor if your period is late after missing any pills in the past month.
Want to learn more? Check out our Opill information leaflet here!
