When should I start birth control?
You have a choice of which day to start your first packet of oral contraceptives. Whenever you
elect to start, pick a time of day that will be convenient daily.
There are two types of start days for oral contraceptives.
Day one start:
Take the first active tablet in your packet during the first 24 hours of your period.
Sunday start:
Most woman use a Sunday start because it is easiest to remember. Take the first active tablet
in your pack on the first Sunday after your period starts, even if you are still bleeding. If
your period begins on Sunday, start that day.
Most oral contraceptive manufacturers recommend using a back-up method of contraception
(condoms, etc.) for at least 7 days, or even up to one month after starting your oral
contraceptives.
To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, your oral contraceptives should be taken
exactly as directed at intervals not exceeding 24 hours, preferably at the same time each day,
including all bleeding episodes. The effectiveness of oral contraceptives depends on strict
adherence to the dosage schedule. Missing a pill can cause spotting or light bleeding, and the
patient may be a little sick to the stomach on the day the missed tablet is taken with the next
regularly scheduled tablet.
If you're looking for more specific answers to specific questions, ask a Walgreens pharmacist here.
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