1. DECIDE WHAT TIME OF DAY YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR PILL.
It is important to take it at about the same time every day.
2. LOOK AT YOUR PILL PACK.
The pill pack has 21 "active" pills (with hormones) to take for 3 weeks. This is followed by 1 week of green "reminder" pills (without hormones).
Pirmella 7/7/7: There are 7 white "active" pills, 7 light peach "active" pills, 7 peach "active" pills and 7 green "reminder" pills.
Pirmella 1/35: There are 21 peach "active" pills and 7 green "reminder" pills.
3. ALSO FIND:
1) where on the pack to start taking pills,
2) in what order to take the pills.
4. BE SURE YOU HAVE READY AT ALL TIMES:
ANOTHER KIND OF BIRTH CONTROL (such as a condom or spermicide) to use as a back-up method in case you miss pills.
AN EXTRA, FULL PILL PACK.
WHEN TO START THE FIRST PACK OF PILLS
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You have a choice of which day to start taking your first pack of pills. Pirmella 7/7/7 and Pirmella 1/35 are available in blister which is preset for a Sunday Start. Day 1 Start is also provided. Decide with your healthcare professional which is the best day for you. Pick a time of day that will be easy to remember.
SUNDAY START:
Pirmella 7/7/7: Take the first white "active" pill of the first pack on the Sunday after your period starts, even if you are still bleeding. If your period begins on Sunday, start the pack the same day.
Pirmella 1/35: Take the first peach "active" pill of the first pack on the Sunday after your period starts, even if you are still bleeding. If your period begins on Sunday, start the pack the same day.
Use another method of birth control such as a condom or spermicide as a back-up method if you have sex anytime from the Sunday you start your first pack until the next Sunday (7 days).
DAY 1 START:
Pirmella 7/7/7: Take the first white "active" pill of the first pack during the first 24 hours of your period.
Pirmella 1/35: Take the first peach "active" pill of the first pack during the first 24 hours of your period.
You will not need to use a back-up method of birth control, since you are starting the pill at the beginning of your period.
WHAT TO DO DURING THE MONTH
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1. TAKE ONE PILL AT THE SAME TIME EVERY DAY UNTIL THE PACK IS EMPTY.
Do not skip pills even if you are spotting or bleeding between monthly periods or feel sick to your stomach (nausea). Do not skip pills even if you do not have sex very often.
2.WHEN YOU FINISH A PACK OR SWITCH YOUR BRAND OF PILLS:
Start the next pack on the day after your last green "reminder" pill. Do not wait any days between packs.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU MISS PILLS
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Pirmella 7/7/7:
If you MISS 1 white, light peach, or peach "active" pill:
1. Take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time. This means you may take 2 pills in 1 day.
2. You do not need to use a back-up birth control method if you have sex.
If you MISS 2 white or light peach "active" pills in a row in WEEK 1 OR WEEK 2 of your pack:
1. Take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the next day.
2. Then take 1 pill a day until you finish the pack.
3. You COULD BECOME PREGNANT if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You MUST use another birth control method (such as a condom or spermicide) as a back-up method for those 7 days.
If you MISS 2 peach "active" pills in a row in THE 3RD WEEK:
1a. If you are a Sunday Starter:
Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, THROW OUT the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day.
1b. If you are a Day 1 Starter:
THROW OUT the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack that same day.
2. You may not have your period this month but this is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your healthcare professional because you might be pregnant.
3. You COULD BECOME PREGNANT if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You MUST use another birth control method (such as a condom or spermicide) as a back-up method for those 7 days.
If you MISS 3 OR MORE white, light peach, or peach "active" pills in a row (during the first 3 weeks):
1a. If you are a Sunday Starter:
Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, THROW OUT the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day.
1b. If you are a Day 1 Starter:
THROW OUT the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack that same day.
2. You may not have your period this month but this is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your healthcare professional because you might be pregnant.
3. You COULD BECOME PREGNANT if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You MUST use another birth control method (such as a condom or spermicide) as a back-up method for those 7 days.
Pirmella 1/35:
If you MISS 1 peach "active" pill:
1. Take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time. This means you may take 2 pills in 1 day.
2. You do not need to use a back-up birth control method if you have sex.
If you MISS 2 peach "active" pills in a row in WEEK 1 OR WEEK 2 of your pack:
1. Take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the next day.
2. Then take 1 pill a day until you finish the pack.
3. You COULD BECOME PREGNANT if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You MUST use another birth control method (such as a condom or spermicide) as a back-up method for those 7 days.
If you MISS 2 peach "active" pills in a row in THE 3RD WEEK:
1a. If you are a Sunday Starter:
Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, THROW OUT the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day.
1b. If you are a Day 1 Starter:
THROW OUT the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack that same day.
2. You may not have your period this month but this is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your healthcare professional because you might be pregnant.
3. You COULD BECOME PREGNANT if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You MUST use another birth control method (such as a condom or spermicide) as a back-up method for those 7 days.
If you MISS 3 OR MORE peach "active" pills in a row (during the first 3 weeks):
1a. If you are a Sunday Starter:
Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, THROW OUT the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day.
1b. If you are a Day 1 Starter:
THROW OUT the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack that same day.
2. You may not have your period this month but this is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your healthcare professional because you might be pregnant.
3. You COULD BECOME PREGNANT if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You MUST use another birth control method (such as a condom or spermicide) as a back-up method for those 7 days.
A REMINDER If you forget any of the 7 green "reminder" pills in Week 4: THROW AWAY the pills you missed. Keep taking 1 pill each day until the pack is empty. You do not need a back-up method.
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FINALLY, IF YOU ARE STILL NOT SURE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE PILLS YOU HAVE MISSED: Use a BACK-UP METHOD anytime you have sex. KEEP TAKING ONE "ACTIVE" PILL EACH DAY until you can reach your healthcare professional.
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