Missed pill advice for Zoely
Zoely is a combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP). The pills contain oestrogen (estradiol) and progestogen (nomegestrol) hormones. It is an everyday COCP. Each pack contains 24 active pills followed by four inactive pills. It is a monophasic COCP, which means all active pills have the same amount of hormones. 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, it is classed as a missed pill.
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What should I do if I miss an active pill?
If you miss an active (white) pill, you may not be protected against pregnancy. The steps you should follow depend on where you missed the pill(s) in the pack. If you have missed any pills from the first week of the pack, take the last pill you have missed now (exclude all other missed pills). 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 seven days. If you have had unprotected intercourse the week before missing the pill(s), you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist, as you may require emergency contraception.
If you have missed any pills between days 8-17 in the pack, take the last pill you have missed now (exclude all other missed pills). 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. If you have just missed one pill and you have taken your pills correctly in the seven days before the missed pill, you do not need to take any additional precautions. However, if you have missed more than one pill, you should use condoms or avoid having sex for the next seven days.
If you have missed any pills between days 18-24, there are two options you can follow.
- One option is to take the last pill you have missed now (exclude all other missed pills). Then, take the next active pill at your regular time (even if this means taking two pills on the same day) and take the rest of the active pills as usual. Then, you should omit the inactive pills and start the next pack instead. If you follow this method, you are unlikely to have a withdrawal bleed until the following month, but you may experience breakthrough bleeding (spotting) when taking the active pills.
- Alternatively, you could disregard the remainder of the active pills and move on to the inactive pills instead. You should take the inactive pills for up to three days, depending on how many active pills were missed. Make sure the total amount of missed active pills and inactive pills taken does not exceed four. Then, start the next pack.
What should I do if I miss an inactive pill?
If you miss any of the four inactive (yellow) pills at the end of the pack, you can just disregard these pills. You will still be protected against pregnancy.
Should I take a pregnancy test?
If you have missed any pills in your pack and do not have a withdrawal bleed when taking the inactive pills 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 Zoely?
Vomiting and severe diarrhoea can stop Zoely been absorbed into your body. If you vomit within 3-4 hours of taking an active pill, you should take another pill immediately. 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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