What to do if you missed a contraceptive pill

DoktorABC editorial team

Accurate, up-to-date health information written by our editorial team and reviewed by UK-registered prescribers.

Why does it matter which pill you take?

Different pills have different "missed pill" windows. Knowing your specific pill type, including the active ingredient (not just the brand name), is the first step to following the correct guidance.

Missed pill rules for the combined pill

For a full overview of how the combined pill works, see our guide “What is the combined pill?”.  

Less than 24 hours late

Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if this means taking two pills in one day. Continue the rest of the pack as normal. No additional contraception is needed.

More than 24 hours late, or two or more pills missed

Take the most recently missed pill as soon as you remember (leave any earlier missed pills). Continue the rest of the pack as normal. Use condoms or avoid sex for the next seven days.

Additional steps depend on when in the pack you missed:

• Week one (days 1–7): If you had unprotected sex in the pill-free interval or week one, you may need emergency contraception
• Week two (days 8–14): No emergency contraception needed if the previous seven days were taken correctly
• Week three (days 15–21): Skip the pill-free break: finish the active pills, then start a new pack the next day with no break

Missed pill rules for the mini pill

The mini pill's rules depend entirely on which type you take.

Desogestrel (e.g. Cerazette, Cerelle)

Your pill is considered missed if you take it more than 12 hours late.

If you are within 12 hours of your usual time: Take it as soon as you remember and continue as normal. No additional contraception needed.

If you are more than 12 hours late: Take the pill as soon as you remember and continue the rest of the pack as normal. Use condoms or avoid sex for the next 48 hours. Your full protection returns after three days of taking the pill correctly.

Levonorgestrel or norethisterone (e.g. Noriday)

Your pill is considered missed if you take it more than 3 hours late.

If you are within 3 hours of your usual time: Take it as soon as you remember and continue as normal. No additional contraception needed.

If you are more than 3 hours late: Take the pill as soon as you remember and continue the rest of the pack as normal. Use condoms or avoid sex for the next 48 hours.

Drospirenone (Slynd)

Your pill is considered missed if you take it more than 24 hours late.

If you are within 24 hours of your usual time: Take it as soon as you remember and continue as normal. No additional contraception needed.

If you are more than 24 hours late: Take the pill as soon as you remember and continue the rest of the pack as normal. If you missed pills on days 15 to 24 of your pack, start a new pack straight away without taking the inactive (placebo) pills.

For a full overview of how the mini pill works, see our guide “What is the mini pill?”. 

What are the chances of pregnancy after a missed desogestrel pill?

If you missed your pill but are still within the 12-hour window, your protection is maintained and your pregnancy risk is not meaningfully increased.

Beyond 12 hours, ovulation suppression may be compromised. This is the reason for the 48-hour additional contraception rule and the three-day re-establishment period: they give desogestrel time to reliably suppress ovulation again.

There is no fixed percentage risk that applies to every individual, as it depends on where you are in your cycle and your own ovulation patterns. If you are worried, the most practical steps are to consider emergency contraception and, if needed, take a pregnancy test at the appropriate time.

What should you do if you missed a pill and had unprotected sex?

Speak to a pharmacist, GP, sexual health clinic, or call NHS 111 promptly, as you may need emergency contraception. The type of pill you take can affect how some forms of emergency contraception work.

Where can you get emergency contraception in the UK?

Emergency contraception is available free from GP surgeries, sexual health and contraception clinics, most pharmacies (including outside standard hours in many areas), and some NHS walk-in centres. Some methods are more effective the sooner they are taken, and some have specific time limits, so speak to a pharmacist as soon as possible.

When should you take a pregnancy test?

Wait until your next expected period if possible. If your period does not arrive, or is unusual, take a pregnancy test at least three weeks after the unprotected sex occurred, as testing too early can produce a false negative. Speak to your GP or a sexual health clinic if you have ongoing concerns or your period is significantly delayed.

How can you avoid missing pills in future?

• Set a daily alarm at the same time each day, linked to an existing routine
• Use a pill-tracking app for reminders
• Keep your pills somewhere visible, such as next to your toothbrush
• Consider a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) such as an implant or coil if remembering a daily pill is consistently difficult; speak to your GP about whether this might suit you

Final thoughts

Missed pill rules vary significantly depending on which pill you take, and getting the details right matters for your contraceptive protection. If you are ever unsure, use condoms as a backup and speak to a pharmacist, GP, or sexual health clinic promptly rather than guessing. For more detail on each pill type, see our guides to the mini pill and the combined pill.

DoktorABC connects UK patients with licensed prescribers who can assess suitability for contraception and issue private prescriptions where clinically appropriate.

FAQ

The DoktorABC medical advisory board

Dr. Roland Ruiken

Medical advisor, Norway

Dr. Viktor Simunovic

Medical advisor, Croatia

To the medical advisory board