You should take Lovima at the same time every day for optimal effectiveness. However, if you miss a pill or forget to take it, it’s important to know what to do to make sure you’re protected against pregnancy. Here, you’ll find details on the steps you should take if you’ve forgotten to take a pill and what you should do if you experience vomiting or diarrhoea while taking Lovima.
What should I do if I have forgotten or missed a pill?
If you discover you’ve forgotten to take your pill but you’re less than 12 hours late taking it, you should take your missed contraceptive pill straight away. You can then take your next tablet at the usual time, this may mean that you take two tablets in one day. If you do this, you can still be protected from pregnancy.
If you are more than 12 hours late taking your mini pill, you may not be fully protected against pregnancy. The more pills you miss in a row, the more likely you are to become pregnant. You should take the pill as soon as you remember and take the next one at the usual time, even if it means taking two pills in one day.
If you have missed more than one pill, you don’t need to take the earlier missed tablets. Instead, just take one as soon as you remember and resume taking your pills as usual, but it is important to use additional contraception (such as condoms) for the next 7 days.
If you’re late taking your pill by more than 12 hours and you have sex, you should consult your pharmacist as you may need emergency contraception.
You should refer to the ‘If you forget to take Lovima’ section of the Patient Information Leaflet in your pill pack for further information. If you are in any doubt about what to do when you miss a pill or you need more information on how to take Lovima, speak to your pharmacist for advice.
Missing a pill in the first week of taking Lovima
If you miss a pill at any time in your cycle, there is a risk that the contraceptive effectiveness of Lovima can be reduced. However, if you miss one pill or more than one pill during the first week of taking Lovima and you had sex in the week before the missed pill(s), your likelihood of getting pregnant is higher. In this case, you should ask your pharmacist for advice and find out if emergency contraception may be necessary for you.
What should I do if I have vomiting or diarrhoea when taking Lovima?
If you experience a bad stomach upset, such as vomiting or diarrhoea, there is a risk that Lovima will not have been fully absorbed by your system. This could mean that you are not completely protected against pregnancy.
It’s considered a ‘missed pill’ if you vomit 3 to 4 hours after taking Lovima and you should follow the advice above or in the patient information leaflet regarding missed pills If illness is severe and persistent, you should use additional barrier contraception (such as condoms) for as long as you’re ill and for the first days of taking Lovima normally again.
If you experience nausea but don’t vomit or have diarrhoea, there’s no need for concern. You should keep taking Lovima as usual, and visit your pharmacist or doctor if you continue to feel ill.
Discover more about Lovima
To find out more about Lovima or to try this contraceptive pill for yourself, you can buy online or visit your local pharmacy.
