If you take the pill two hours late, is it still effective?
By Attia @ Planned Parenthood | April 29, 2020, 4:44 p.m.
Category: Birth Control
Is the Birth Control pill still effective, if you take it two hours after the time you are supposed to take it?
Yes, if you take your pill 2 hours late it’s still effective. Most people use combined-hormone pills. They contain both estrogen and progestin. They must be taken once a day, but they don’t need to be taken at the same time every day.
If you’re taking progestin-only pills, it’s best to take them at the same time every day. But you have a 3 hour window, meaning it’s only working less well if you take it more than 3 hours late. If this happens, use a backup method of birth control, like a condom, for the next 2 days. (For example, if you’ve been taking your pill at noon, but you forget to take it until after 3:00 p.m., take it as soon as you remember and use a condom when you have vaginal sex for the next 2 days.) Continue to take the rest of your pack on schedule.
This quiz can help you figure out what to do if you forgot to take your pill.
Tags: birth control, the pill
