Within 15 minutes every day?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2004
Within 15 minutes every day?
3
Wed, 06-02-2004 - 8:16pm
I've been taking Ortho Tri Cyclen-Lo for about four months now. My one big concern is that I keep reading that you're supposed to take the pill at the same time every day,at least within a 15 minute time span. I'm extremely forgetful and it seems as though every day I'm taking it anywhere from a half hour to two hours after my set time. Is this considered "missing" a pill or am I pretty safe still?
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2003
Wed, 06-02-2004 - 8:35pm
If the window was 15 minutes, a lot more women would be pregnant!! Actually the window for taking the pills is +/- 2 hours. So if you take it at 8, you can take it anywhere from 6 to 10. Any later than that, you are risking the pill not being as effective as it can be. I wouldn't concider a pill taken 4 hours later "missed" but i'd be causious and use extra protection. Although this is the window, it is best taken the same time every day. That way you can assure yourself that you are doing everything right. A tip might be to set an alarm on a stop watch (as i do) many others set their alarms on their cell phones or you can set an alarm on your computer. These are all easy ways to help you remember because i'm sure like most of us, you have plenty to think about and remembering the pill can be hard sometimes.

Goodluck to you!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 06-02-2004 - 8:41pm
Hi blushingbride54, welcome!

Where have you been getting your information? OTC-Lo is a combined pill and the on-time window is not as strict as for progestin only (mini) pills.

This board considers taking combined oral contraceptives correctly to mean taking them on time (within +/-2 hrs. of your normal pill-time) and using back-up if you forget a pill or are sick and vomit or have diarrhea within 2 hours after taking your pill (considered a missed pill) and if you are taking medicines or supplements that could reduce the effectiveness of your pills. If you forget a pill or have been sick you should use back-up for at least 7 days afterward. If you are taking medicines or supplements then you should use back-up while taking them and for at least 7 days after taking the last dose. And, if you think you might have trouble remembering your pill-time you can set the alarm on a clock or watch or set a reminder message on your cell phone or computer to help remind you. Some things to remember when taking oral contraceptives:

• Combined oral contraceptives have a 4 hour window, progestin-only pills have a 1/2-1 hour window for on-time

• Medicines are typically antibiotics, antifungals, anticonvulsants and some other prescription drugs, if in doubt, check with the pharmacist. Over-the-counter medications like pain relievers or allergy medications do not change the effectiveness of the pill.

• Supplements may cause changes in the metabolism of the hormones without your knowledge. St. John's Wort has been known to cause pill failure, but because supplements are not regulated by the FDA, there is no systematic testing to determine which will compromise the effectiveness of the pill.

• You can also set your pill time at the same time as another activity that you do every day, whether it's brushing your teeth, watching a particular TV show, having breakfast...

• The patch and the ring have the same requirements as far as use of medications, though timing isn't an issue, nor is diarrhea or vomiting.

The pill, when taken consistently and correctly, is 99% effective. Anything that deviates from perfect use will reduce the effectiveness by an undetermined amount. The most important step you can take to make sure the pill is as effective as it can be is to take it at the same time every day. Does this help?

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2004
Thu, 06-03-2004 - 10:44pm
Thanks very much for the info! I wasn't aware that OTC-Lo had a larger window of time. I was always getting so nervous even if I'd missed the pill by a half hour. Thanks again!