It depends on how long you’re being sick or have diarrhoea for.
If you are sick (vomit) within two hours of taking your contraceptive pill, it will not have been absorbed by your body. You should take another pill straight away. As long as you’re not sick again, you’re still protected against pregnancy. Take your next pill at the usual time.
If you continue to be sick or have severe diarrhoea (passing six to eight watery stools in 24 hours), this can mean that your protection against pregnancy is affected.
Sickness or severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours
If you continue to be sick for more than 24 hours, or you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, count each day with sickness or diarrhoea as a day that you’ve missed your pill.
If you can, you should carry on taking your pills at the normal time, but you may need to use extra contraception, such as condoms.
Missed pills
Missing pills or starting a new pack late can make your pill less effective at preventing pregnancy. You may need to use extra contraception such as condoms. You may also need emergency contraception. The advice depends on:
- which type of contraceptive pill you take
- when you missed the pills (where in the packet you are)
- how many pills you’ve missed
For advice on what to do if you’ve missed a pill, see:
If you’re on the combined pill Qlaira and you’ve missed a pill, see the manufacturer's Qlaira patient information leaflet on the electronic Medicines Compendium website or get advice.
If you need medical advice because of your sickness or diarrhoea, try the NHS symptom checker, or you may prefer to contact your GP.
