Medically reviewed by Cristin Hackel, BS, RNC, MSN, WHNP on March 21, 2024
What should I do if I miss a dose of Opill®?
Are you thinking about going on Opill®, but worried about what might happen if you forget to take it once in a while? Or, maybe you’re already on it and are searching for this information in a slight state of panic.
Missing a dose of your birth control can feel a little scary, especially if you’re not sure what the consequences might be. Everyone who’s taken birth control before We’ve got you!
Here’s how to know what to do if you’ve missed one (or more!) pills, including when to use a backup method and when you might want to consider taking emergency contraception.
So, what happens if I miss a dose?
Let’s back up first and do a quick refresher on this medication: Opill® is a progestin-only pill. This makes it a little different from typical combination birth control pills. Unlike these other hormonal birth control pills, there are no inactive or placebo pills in your pack of Opill®.
In other words, every Opill® in your pack is an active pill. And if you miss just one, your risk of getting pregnant increases more than it would if you were on a combo pill.
This is why Opill® needs to be taken at approximately the same time every day. This is why Opill needs to be taken at the same time every day (within 3 hours) to be effective, in order to be effective.
Here’s what to do if you miss a dose or take it past three hours.
If you miss one pill or are late taking your pill:
If you’re less than three hours late, take your next pill as soon as you remember. Then go back to normal the next daytake your pill when you usually do.
If you’re more than three hours late, take your next pill as soon as you remember, then take the following pill at your usual time the next day. Do this even if you don’t remember until the next day, and have to take two pills on the same day.
However, and this is a very important, when this happens, you also need to use a condom or other barrier method if you’re sexually active. Options include condoms, cervical caps, diaphragms, spermicides, and sponges. You’ll need to keep using a backup method every time you have sex for the next two days since Opill® takes 48 hours to start working again.
If you miss two pills for two days in a row:
If you miss two Opill® pills in a row, you should take the first missed pill the moment you remember, as above. Do this even if it means you have to take two pills in one day. After that, continue taking Opill® at your normal time.
If this happens, you also need to use a condom or other barrier method. And you’ll need to keep using that backup method for the next two days or 48 hours.
Otherwise, there’s an increased risk you could get pregnant even though you’re still taking Opill®. Doubling up does not double the effects!
If you miss three or more pills in a row:
If you’re sexually active and miss three or more pills in a row, there is a chance you are or could become pregnant. Resume taking Opill® normally, but use a condom or other backup barrier method whenever you have sex for the next # days.
If your next period is late, then you may want to take a pregnancy test. If you take the pregnancy test too early, you risk getting a false negative.
And if all this information has your heart racing and your stress up, remember that a healthcare provider is the best person to speak to about your individual situation.
When should I take emergency contraception?
If you think pregnancy might be possible based on timing, you can take emergency contraception (EC). This medication is also known as the morning after pill and is available at many drugstores as well as through Nurx.
It’s important to note though, that certain kinds of ECs can make birth control less effective, and vice versa.
One example is Ella® (ulipristal acetate), an emergency contraception that you can take for up to five days after unprotected intercourse. But Ella® functions by blocking hormones, so it’s likely to make your birth control less effective, and vice versa.
So if you take EC, you’ll need to wait five days before you start Opill® again. In the meantime, you’ll need to use a backup barrier method every time you have sex.
Other kinds of emergency contraceptive pills, like Plan B One-Step®, My Way, and Next Choice One Dose won’t reduce the effectiveness of Opill®. As always, we recommend speaking with a healthcare provider to choose the safest option for your needs.
And there you have it — everything you need to know if you missed one of your pills. We know this can be a lot to take in so don’t feel like you have to take it alone. The Nurx team is always here to help you discuss your situation and how we can help. If you’re not a patient yet, you can get started here. And if you’re already a patient, never hesitate to log in and message your provider.
The information provided here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely upon the content provided here for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your provider.
Opill®, norgestrel 0.075 mg tablets, a contraceptive intended to prevent pregnancy, may cause side effects including changes in menstrual periods (bleeding). If you would like to learn more about Opill®, please see prescribing information here. You are encouraged to report negative side effects to the FDA. Visit MedWatch: HTTPS://WWW.FDA.GOV/SAFETY/MEDWATCH /default.htm or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
ella™ (ulipristal acetate tablet 30mg), Rx only, is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy following unprotected intercourse or a known or suspected contraceptive failure. ella™ may cause side effects, including headache, abdominal pain, nausea, dysmenorrhea (painful cramps), fatigue, and dizziness. If you would like to learn more about ella™, please see the full prescription information here. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit MedWatch: HTTPS://WWW.FDA.GOV/SAFETY/MEDWATCH /default.htm or call 1-800-FDA-1088.