Missed Pills

Question 1

What defines a missed pill for COCP?

Answer 1

Forgetting to take the pill for >24hrs

Question 2

What should be done if 1 COCP is missed at any point?

Answer 2

Take the previous pill as soon as you can remember even if it means taking 2 at once
No additional protection needed

Question 3

What should be done if >2 COCPs are missed?

Answer 3

Depends on the week they are taking it

Question 4

What should be done if >2 COCP are missed in week 1?

Answer 4

Take the previous pill as soon as you remember even if it means taking 2 pills at once.
Forget about any previous pills that have been missed
Emergency contraception is required if UPSI in pill free week or in 1st wk
Extra protection for 7 days (provided the pill is taken each day)

Question 5

What should be done if >2 COCP are missed in week 2?

Answer 5

Take the previous pill as soon as you can remember even if it means taking 2 pills at once
Forget any previous pills that have been forgotten
Extra protection for 7 days
No emergency contraception required

Question 6

What should be done it >2 COCP are missed in week 3?

Answer 6

Take the previous pill as soon as you remember even if it means taking 2 pills at once
Forget about any previous pills that have been missed
Continue straight onto the next pack and omit the pill free period
Extra protection for 7 days

Question 7

What should be done if a Traditional POP has been missed?

Answer 7

<3hrs late
-no action needed continue as normal

> 3hrs late

• take the previous pill as soon as possible
• take the next pill as normal even if it means 2 in one day
• continue with rest of pack
• extra protection until pill taking has been re-established for 48hours
• emergency contraception required if UPSI since missing pill or within that 48 hr window

Question 8

What is an example of a non-traditional POP?

Answer 8

Cerazette (desogestrel)

Question 9

What should be done if Cerazette has been missed?

Answer 9

<12hrs late
-no further action needed, continue as normal

> 12hrs late

• take previous pill ASAP
• take next pill at normal time- even if 2 taken in one day
• continue with rest of pack
• extra protection until pill taking has been re-established for 48 hours
• emergency contraception required if UPSI since missing pill or within that 48hr window