[srvsiy]

Hi, I would really appreciate some help. I am currently on Tri-Sprintec birth control and have been for the past 3 years. On Sunday I was supposed to take the 4th pill of week 2 but I accidentally took the 6th pill of week 2. I continued to do this for Monday, when I took the 7th pill of week 2 instead of the 5th pill of week 2 (don't ask how this happened, I really am confused myself...). As I understand, each week contains a different amount of hormones. According to the package, the dosage is as follows:

"Each white tablet contains 0.180 mg of the progestational compound, norgestimate [...] and 0.035 mg of the estrogenic compound, ethinyl estradiol [...]
Each light blue tablet contains 0.215 mg of the progestational compound norgestimate [...] and 0.035 mg of the estrogenic
compound ethinyl estradiol [...]
Each blue tablet contains 0.250 mg of the progestational compound norgestimate [...] and 0.035 mg of the estrogenic compound ethinyl estradiol [...]"

Even though I took the pills out of order, am I still protected? I took pills from the same week, so wouldn't that make the week 2 pills all the same? I'm a little scared because I've had unprotected sex twice this week. I plan on calling my obgyn tomorrow to discuss my options and decide if I should take emergency contraceptive or not, but I would really appreciate further feedback, maybe from someone who has been in a similar situation.

[srvsiy]

I also forgot to mention - after discovering that I took Tuesday and Wednesday's pills in place of Sunday and Monday's pills, I took Tuesday and Wednesday's pills today at the same time today. And I and also took week 3's Tuesday pill...yes, stupid I know, but I was in panic mode and didn't really know what I was doing. So will the fact that I took multiple doses and also one higher dose (from week 3) in one day decrease the effectiveness of the pill?

[ItsASecret]

You are still protected as long as prior to messing up you were very consistent in taking your pills. And yes each week will have different levels hormones, but if you take Tuesday and Wednesday of week 2 even though you were supposed to take Sunday and Monday of week 2 it does not matter...it is the week of the pills that matters not the individual pills in week 2 for example. Each pill in week 2, for example, will have 0.215 mg of the progestational compound norgestimate and 0.035 mg of the estrogenic compound ethinyl estradiol so it will be the same pill each day in week 2. The days are printed on the pack to make it easier for people.

My advice would be to go to your local pharmacist wherever you pick up your prescriptions (they likely at least recognize you because that is where you pick them up) and ask them. Pharmacists are trained for the drug side of things, all the nit picky details, doctors simply prescribe. Ask the pharmacist, it will cost nothing and you get an immediate answer.

I took Tuesday and Wednesday's pills today at the same time today.

Taking 2 more active hormone pills when you should have taken 1 a day will likely mess up your cycles for this month because you did not miss any pills the day before. You are only supposed to take more than 1 pill a day if you actually physically miss a pill the day before. You cannot just take active pills randomly. Again your pharmacist will know more but do not count on your cycles being regular or on time for this month and maybe next month.


As well, inside the box or package that came with your prescription when you picked it up will be instructions on how to take the pill.