Missed pill advice for Qlaira
Qlaira is a combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP. The pills contain oestrogen (estradiol) and progestogen (dienogest) hormones. It is an everyday COCP. Each pack contains 26 active pills, followed by two inactive pills. It is a multiphasic COCP, which means different pills contain different amounts of hormones. They should be taken in the order marked on the pack. You should try to take your pills at the same time each day. If you do not take your pill within 12 hours of your regular pill-taking time, then it is classed as a missed pill. If you miss any inactive (white) pills at the end of the pack, you can just disregard these pills. You will still be protected against pregnancy.
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What should I do if I miss one pill?
If you miss one active (coloured) pill, the steps you should follow depend on where in the pack you missed the pill.
- If you missed the pill between days 1-17, take the missed pill now. Then take the next pill at your regular time (even if this means taking two pills on the same day) and take the rest of the pack as usual. You should also use condoms or avoid having sex for the next nine days.
- If you missed the pill between days 18-24, do not take any more pills from the pack. Instead, you should start the next pack immediately. You should also use condoms or avoid having sex for the next nine days.
- If you missed the pill between days 25-26, take the missed pill now. Then take the next pill at your regular time (even if this means taking two pills on the same day) and take the rest of the pack as usual. No additional precautions are necessary.
What should I do if I miss more than one pill?
If you miss more than one pill, you should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist. You may require emergency contraception.
Should I take a pregnancy test?
If you have missed any pills and do not have a withdrawal bleed at the end of the pack, it is best to take a pregnancy test.
What should I do if I vomit or have diarrhoea when taking Qlaira?
Vomiting and severe diarrhoea can stop Qlaira been absorbed into your body. If you vomit within 3-4 hours of taking an active pill, you should take another pill immediately. It is best to take the corresponding pill from a backup pack. Then take your next pill at your regular time. If you took your extra pill within 12 hours of your normal pill-taking time, you would still be protected against pregnancy. If not, you should follow the advice above for missed pills.
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