Ortho Tri-cyclen LO

• If you just missed one, take it as soon as you remember. If you don't remember until the next day, go ahead and take 2 pills that day. 
• If you forget to take your pills for 2 days, take 2 pills the day you remember and 2 pills the next day. You will then be back on schedule. 
• If you miss more than 2 birth control pills, call your medical provider for instructions. You may need to take one pill daily until Sunday and then start a new pack. Or you might need to throw out the rest of the pill pack and start over with a new pack that same day. 
• Any time you forget to take a pill, you must use another form of birth control until you finish the pill pack. When you forget to take a birth control pill, you increase the chance of releasing an egg from your ovary.

You can also use a condom every time you have penis-in-vagina sex. That way you’ll be protected from STDs too. This is especially important if you are taking any other medications that may reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives.

• The main thing that prevents the pill from working is not taking it every day.
• Vomiting or having diarrhea for more than 48 hours (2 days) may reduce how well the pill prevents pregnancy.

• These medicines or supplements can also lessen pill effectiveness. If you take any of these while you’re on the pill, use condoms as a backup method. Switch to a different method of birth control if you’ll be on them for a long time:

  • The antibiotic Rifampin (other antibiotics don’t make the pill less effective)
  • The antifungal Griseofulvin (other antifungals don’t make the pill less effective)
  • Certain HIV medicines
  • Certain anti-seizure medicines (these are sometimes also used to treat psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder)
  • The herb St. John’s Wort

• Have high blood pressure that isn’t well controlled
• Are over 35 and smoke
• Have a history of stroke, heart disease, circulation problems or breast cancer
• Started breastfeeding within the past month
• Have migraine headaches with aura
• Have diabetes-related complications like nephropathy, retinopathy, or neuropathy
• Recently had surgery
• Have liver disease
• Have unexplained uterine bleeding