Missed pill - meaning and definition
Alsoforgotten pilllate pillmissed pillsforgot my pillforgot to take the pill
Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.
Definition
A missed pill is a contraceptive pill taken later than its allowed window or not at all, which can reduce protection against pregnancy.
At a glance
- What counts as a missed pill depends on the type of pill.
- For most combined pills a pill counts as missed if it is more than 24 hours late.
- For traditional progestogen-only pills the window can be as short as three hours.
- Vomiting or severe diarrhoea soon after taking a pill can have the same effect as missing it.
- Each brand's patient leaflet explains exactly what to do after a missed pill.
In detail
What counts as missed depends on the type of pill. For most combined pills, a pill is missed if it is more than 24 hours late; for traditional progestogen-only pills the window can be as short as three hours. Vomiting or severe diarrhoea soon after taking a pill can have the same effect.
The patient leaflet for each brand explains exactly what to do, which may include taking the missed pill straight away, using condoms for a few days, or considering emergency contraception. A pharmacist or sexual health service can help work out the next step.
Frequent missed pills are one reason typical-use effectiveness is lower than perfect use. People who find daily pills hard may prefer a long-acting method.
In a sentence
- I had a missed pill last week, so I called the pharmacy to check whether I needed extra protection.
- The leaflet has a whole section on what to do after a missed pill.
Common questions
What should I do if I miss a pill?
It depends on the type of pill, how many were missed and where in the pack. The patient leaflet explains the steps, which may include taking the missed pill straight away, using condoms for a few days or considering emergency contraception. A pharmacist or sexual health service can help work out the next step.
Does being sick count as a missed pill?
Vomiting or severe diarrhoea soon after taking a pill can mean it was not absorbed, so it may count as missed. The leaflet for the brand, or a pharmacist, can explain what applies.