DD vomitted after taking her B/C pill

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2003
DD vomitted after taking her B/C pill
3
Thu, 11-18-2004 - 9:26pm

DD started a new pack of b/c pills this past Sunday so she's in week one. Monday she took pill at 6:30 and threw up around 9:30. She did the same thing Tuesday. She's been nauseated all week. She gets some nauseated during the first few days every month but has never thrown up. The doctor upped some other medicine and I think that's whats causing this and expect her to be better in a few days.

My question is how does the throwing up two mornings in a row effect the birth control's effectiveness? I have suggested that they always use a condom for other reasons but since I'm there I can't be sure. If there is even a slight possibility that her vomitting will weaken her pills, I want her to know it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2004
Thu, 11-18-2004 - 9:35pm

It`s generally considered that vomitting withing two hours after taking your pill can put you at risk. The idea is that, within the two hour limit, the pill will be out of the stomach and into the small intestine where it can be absorbed and, therefore, fully effective. However, two hours isn`t really a magic number for safety. Many things could affect how long it takes the pill to get into the small intestine, like any food or liquid that could be in the stomach or even her body`s own metabolism.

I think to be on the safe side, it would be a good idea for them to employ condoms, at least until she`s taken seven pills correctly and consecutively and hasn`t vomitted. There is a chance that the effectiveness of her pills could be reduced.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2003
Thu, 11-18-2004 - 10:26pm
When you read the literature they generally allow a 2 hour window as acceptable. With her being that close, I would urge her to err on the side of caution and use a back up method, such as a condom. If she has the same side effect next month, she should definitely follow up with her Dr. It should be less pronounced each additional month.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2003
Fri, 11-19-2004 - 11:44am

Actually, the nausea seems to be getting worse each month. However, I think this month is partly because of some other medicine that has changed. GOnna give it one more month and see.

Thanks to both of you for your quick responses.