Free tool

What to do if you've missed a pill

Answer three quick questions and we'll tell you exactly what to do. Takes about 30 seconds. Nothing you tap is saved or sent anywhere.

Clinical sign-off pending · ruleset transcribed from FSRH guidance

Start with what happened

This tool needs JavaScript. The full written rules are below — they cover every situation the tool does. Read them instead →

In a nutshell

Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if that means taking two in one day, then carry on with the pack. Whether you also need condoms or emergency contraception depends on which pill you take, how many you missed, and where you were in the pack.

What counts as a missed pill

Every pill has a safe window. Inside it you're still protected and there's nothing to do but take the pill and carry on. Past it, the pill counts as missed.

Pill Counts as missed when
Combined pillMicrogynon, Rigevidon, Levest, Yasmin, Gedarel and most others More than 24 hours late
Desogestrel mini pillCerelle, Cerazette, Feanolla, Zelleta, Hana, Lovima More than 12 hours late
Older mini pillNoriday, Norgeston More than 3 hours late
SlyndDrospirenone More than 24 hours late

When you might need emergency contraception

Consider emergency contraception if you missed two or more combined pills in the first week of a pack, or started a pack late, and you've had unprotected sex. On the mini pill, consider it if you were outside your window and have had unprotected sex recently. The sooner you act, the better it works.

LYLA does not supply emergency contraception. You can get it from most pharmacies, a sexual health clinic, or by calling NHS 111. Tell them which pill you take, as it can affect which type of emergency contraception is right for you.

Being sick or having diarrhoea

If you're sick within a few hours of taking a pill, or have severe watery diarrhoea, the pill may not have been absorbed. Take another pill of the same type as soon as you can. If that replacement lands inside your pill's safe window, you're still protected. If not, follow the missed pill advice above.

About this tool

The tool covers the standard combined pill (monophasic packs of 21 active pills with no dummy pills) and all three types of mini pill. It does not cover everyday packs containing inactive pills, multiphasic packs such as Logynon, TriRegol or Qlaira, or 24-plus-4 packs such as Zoely, Eloine and Drovelis — the rules for those are more involved, so the tool sends you to a pharmacist instead of guessing.

It gives general guidance for common situations. It is not a substitute for advice about your own circumstances. If your situation is unusual, if you're unsure, or if you think you may need emergency contraception, speak to a pharmacist or call NHS 111.

Sources

  • FSRH CEU Guidance: Recommended actions after incorrect use of CHC (March 2020, amended July 2021)
  • FSRH Clinical Guideline: Progestogen-only Pills (August 2022, amended July 2023)