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What if I'm on the pill and I'm sick or have diarrhoea? - Your contraception guide

It depends on when and for how long you're being sick or have diarrhoea.

If you're sick (vomit) within 3 hours of taking a combined pill, or within 2 hours of taking a progestogen-only pill, it probably 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 diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, this can mean your protection against pregnancy is affected.

Sickness or diarrhoea for more than 24 hours

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.

If you continue to be sick, or have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, count each day with sickness or diarrhoea as a day that you have missed your pill.

For advice on what to do if you have missed a pill, see:

Read more about what to do if you have diarrhoea and vomiting.

Page last reviewed: 28 April 2022
Next review due: 28 April 2025