Missed pills

Question 1

How is a missed COCP defined?

Answer 1

One forgotten by more than 24 hours

Question 2

What should be advised if one pill is missed?

Answer 2

Take the last pill (even if it means 2 are taken in one day) then continue taking pills as normal

Question 3

What should be advised if 2 or more pills are missed in week 1?

Answer 3

Take the last pill and leave any earlier missed pills and then continue as normal
Must use additional protection for 7 days
If pills have been missed in week 1 then emergency contraception should be taken

Question 4

What should be advised if 2 or more pills are missed in week 2?

Answer 4

If week 2, no emergency contraception needed but should use condoms

Question 5

What should be advised if 2 or more pills are missed in week 3?

Answer 5

If week 3 then finish current pack and start new one without pill free interval

Question 6

What should be advised if the progesterone only pill is missed?

Answer 6

If more than 12 hours late i.e. more than 36 hours since last pill (desogestrel) or more than 3 hours late i.e. 27 hours since last pill
Take the last pill even if that means more than 1 in a day
Use condoms as a precaution