Missed a pill? It can easily happen, and it's usually simple to sort out. The missed pill rules depend on three things: which pill you take, how late you are and where you are in your pack. Once you know those, you'll know exactly what to do next.
This guide covers the rules for both the combined pill and the mini pill, including desogestrel pills like Cerazette. It also explains when you might need the morning after pill, and what to do if you've been sick.
Missing a pill is common. The first step is working out which type of pill you take, because each type has its own time limit.
What counts as a missed pill?
A pill isn't missed the moment you're late. Each type of pill has its own window, and it only counts as missed once you're past it:
- Combined pill - missed if it's more than 24 hours late, so 48 hours or more since your last pill.1
- Traditional mini pill (such as Noriday and Norgeston) - missed if it's more than 3 hours late.2
- Desogestrel mini pill (such as Cerazette, Cerelle, Hana and Lovima) - missed if it's more than 12 hours late.
Still inside your window? Take the pill as soon as you remember and carry on as normal.
Not sure which one you're on? The active ingredient is printed on the box and in the leaflet that comes with your pill. If your leaflet gives different advice to this guide, or you're unsure what applies to you, a pharmacist can help.
Set your daily reminder for the start of your window, not the end. That way a busy morning won't turn a late pill into a missed one.
Missed pill rules for the combined pill
These rules cover standard 21 day combined pills, such as Rigevidon, Microgynon, Levest and Yasmin.3
If you've missed one combined pill
Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if that means two pills in one day. Then carry on with the rest of your pack as normal.
You don't need extra contraception or the morning after pill, as long as you'd been taking your pills correctly before that and started the pack on time.3
If you've missed two or more combined pills
Take the most recent pill you missed straight away and leave any earlier missed pills in the pack. Carry on with the rest at your usual time.
Use condoms, or avoid sex, until you've taken 7 pills in a row. What else you need to do depends on where you are in the pack:3
- Week 1 (days 1 to 7) - you may need emergency contraception if you had sex during your pill-free break or in week 1.
- Week 2 (days 8 to 14) - you usually won't need emergency contraception, as long as you took your pills correctly in the 7 days before.
- Week 3 (days 15 to 21) - skip your pill-free break. Finish the pack and start the next one straight away.
Missed more than 7 pills in a row? You'll need to restart the pill as if you were new to it, so speak to a pharmacist or prescriber first.
Starting a new pack late counts too. If it's been 9 days or more since your last pill, take one now and use condoms until you've taken 7 in a row. If you had sex during the break, ask about emergency contraception.3
Do not try to catch up by taking every pill you missed at once. One pill now, then back to your usual time, is all you need.
Missed pill rules for the mini pill
The mini pill, also called the progestogen-only pill, has a tighter window than the combined pill. That's because traditional mini pills don't reliably stop you ovulating. They rely mainly on thickening the mucus at the entrance to your womb, and that effect wears off quickly.2
Traditional and desogestrel mini pills
If you're past your 3 hour or 12 hour window, here's what to do:
- Take one pill as soon as you remember. Only take one, even if you've missed more.
- Take your next pill at your usual time, even if that means two in one day.
- Use condoms, or avoid sex, for the next 48 hours.2
Those 48 hours of extra protection are the step that matters most. They cover the time your mini pill needs to start working properly again.
Desogestrel missed pill: why you get 12 hours
Desogestrel pills, like Cerazette and Cerelle, work mainly by stopping ovulation. Research shows they keep doing this if you take a pill up to 12 hours late, which is why the window is longer.2
Do you need the morning after pill?
Not always. It depends on your pill, how many you've missed and whether you've had sex without a condom:
- One missed combined pill - usually not, as long as you'd taken your pills correctly before it.3
- Two or more missed combined pills in week 1 - you may need it if you had sex during your pill-free break or in week 1.
- A missed mini pill - you may need it if you had sex after missing the pill and before you'd taken it correctly for 48 hours.2
There are two emergency contraceptive pills. Levonorgestrel needs to be taken within 3 days (72 hours) of sex. Ulipristal acetate, sold as ellaOne, can be taken within 5 days (120 hours). The copper coil (IUD) is the most effective option of all.4
Emergency contraception works better the sooner you use it. If you think you need it, do not wait to see whether your period turns up.
Not sure which pill suits you? Our guide to ellaOne vs levonorgestrel explains the differences.
If you take emergency contraception, ask your pharmacist when to restart your regular pill and how long to use condoms afterwards.
It's also worth doing a pregnancy test 21 days after the last time you had unprotected sex.3
What if you've been sick or had diarrhoea?
Being sick soon after taking your pill means it may not have been absorbed. Severe diarrhoea can have the same effect.2
How soon counts varies between pills, so check the leaflet that comes with yours. If it applies, take another pill as soon as you can. If you can't take it within your pill's normal window, follow the missed pill rules above.2
Heading away or feeling a stomach bug coming on? Keep a spare pack with you, so a replacement pill is never far away.
Still being sick or having diarrhoea the next day? Speak to a pharmacist, as you may need extra contraception for a while.
Missing pills often?
It happens to almost everyone at some point. A daily phone alarm, or keeping your pack next to your toothbrush, can make a real difference.
If you keep missing pills, it's worth a chat about other options. That could be a pill with a longer window, or a method you don't have to remember every day, such as the implant or the coil.2 Our combined pill vs mini pill guide is a good place to start.
When should you get advice?
Speak to a pharmacist, GP or sexual health clinic if:
- You're not sure which type of pill you take or which rules apply
- You've had sex and think you might need emergency contraception
- You've missed two or more combined pills in the first week of your pack
- You've missed more than 7 pills in a row
- Your sickness or diarrhoea hasn't settled
- You have a positive pregnancy test or think you might be pregnant
Frequently asked questions
Can I get pregnant if I miss one mini pill?
Yes, it’s possible, especially with a traditional mini pill. These don’t reliably stop ovulation, so being more than 3 hours late can lower your protection. Desogestrel pills give you 12 hours. Once you’re past your window, take one pill, use condoms for 48 hours and check whether you need emergency contraception if you’ve had sex since missing it.
If I missed a pill, should I take two?
If you’ve missed one pill, yes. Take it as soon as you remember, then take your next one at the usual time, even if that means two in one day. If you’ve missed more than one, only take the most recent missed pill. Do not take all of the missed pills at once.
How long after a missed pill are you protected?
For traditional and desogestrel mini pills, you’re protected again once you’ve taken your pills correctly for 48 hours. After two or more missed combined pills, it’s 7 pills in a row. Missed just one combined pill? You’re usually still protected, as long as you’d taken your pills correctly before that.
Do I need the morning after pill if I missed one combined pill?
Usually not. Missing one combined pill doesn’t normally affect your protection if you’d been taking the rest correctly. It’s different if you’ve missed two or more pills in the first week of a pack and had sex during your pill-free break or that week. In that case, speak to a pharmacist about emergency contraception.
What happens if I start my next pack late?
A late start counts as missing pills. If it’s been 9 days or more since your last pill, take one now and use condoms until you’ve taken 7 in a row. If you had sex during the break, ask a pharmacist whether you need emergency contraception, and consider a pregnancy test 21 days later.
Does Cerazette have a 12 hour window?
Yes. Cerazette contains desogestrel, which keeps stopping ovulation even if you’re up to 12 hours late. If you’re more than 12 hours late, take one pill straight away, take the next at your usual time and use condoms for 48 hours. The same rule applies to other desogestrel pills, like Cerelle, Hana and Lovima.
References
- Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. FSRH Guideline: Combined Hormonal Contraception (January 2019, amended October 2023). FSRH; 2023. cosrh.org
- Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. FSRH Guideline: Progestogen-only Pills (August 2022, amended April 2026). FSRH; 2026. cosrh.org
- Hazell T. Missed contraceptive pills. Patient.info; 2024. patient.info
- NHS. How to take the emergency contraceptive pill (morning after pill). NHS website; 2024. nhs.uk
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication and speak to a healthcare professional if you have specific concerns.