How do I use Opill birth control?

How do I take Opill?

Take one Opill tablet at the same time every day, with or without food. You can start on any day of the month. Choose a good time for you to take it each day because if you take a pill late, and especially if you miss a pill, you are more likely to get pregnant. It's important you take your Opill at the same time every day (and no later than 3 hours from your normal time).

Use a barrier method like a condom every time you have sex during the first 2 days (48 hours) because it takes 2 days to start working.

Opill is NOT for use as an emergency contraceptive (morning after pill) and will not prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.

In order to prevent pregnancy, it is very important you follow the dosing instructions for Opill exactly.

Each pack of Opill contains 28 pills. You can start your pack on any day. Do not take a break between packs. When you finish one pack (all 28 tablets), you should start the next pack the following day.

Never skip your daily tablet, even if you do not have sex very often or have a change in your period (menstrual bleeding).

Learn more: What to do if you forget to take your Opill

If you are switching from another oral contraceptive, vaginal ring, or patch, start taking Opill the day after you stop the other method.

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if you have taken an emergency contraceptive (morning after pill) in the past 5 days.

Opill, and other oral birth control pills, do not protect against HIV / AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Use condoms to prevent STDs.

If you have questions about how to take Opill, refer to the Drug Facts Label and consumer information leaflet found with your pack, or ask your doctor or pharmacist.

I forgot to take my Opill, what do I do?

If you are LESS than 3 hours late:

• take 1 tablet right away and go back to taking your tablet at your usual time the following day.

If you are MORE than 3 hours late OR you missed one or more tablets:

• you should take 1 tablet immediately, as soon as you remember. Then, go back to taking your tablet at your usual time. This means you may take 2 tablets in 1 day.
• Use a condom (or another barrier method) every time you have sex during the 2 days (48 hours) after you restart Opill, because it takes 2 days to start working again.
• Take a pregnancy test or talk to a doctor if your period is late after missing any tablets in the last month.

I took Opill, then I vomited. What should I do?

If you vomit or have severe diarrhea within 4 hours of taking your tablet:

• Use a condom (or another barrier method) every time you have sex for the next 2 days (48 hours) because the medicine may not have been fully absorbed.
• The next day, continue taking your daily tablet at your usual time.
• If you continue to vomit or have diarrhea, contact your healthcare provider right away.

Are there weight restrictions for Opill?

There are no restrictions for use of Opill based on weight.

What kind of side effects with Opill can I expect?

The most common side effects of Opill include:

• Changes in your menstrual period (bleeding)
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Increased appetite
• Abdominal (stomach area) pain
• Cramps
• Bloating

Do not use Opill if you have now, or have ever had, breast cancer. Ask a doctor before use if:

• you currently have vaginal bleeding between your periods and you have not already talked to a doctor
• you have liver problems
• you have or ever had any cancer

If you start having migraine headaches or they get worse while using Opill, speak with your doctor right away. Keep taking your pill every day.

Seek medical help right away if you develop the following rare symptoms, which may be signs of liver problems: yellowing of the whites of your eyes or skin (especially with fever, tiredness, loss of appetite or dark colored urine).

Opill may cause changes to your period that are expected and normal, such as irregular spotting or prolonged bleeding. Some women will even stop having periods while taking Opill. Continue taking Opill exactly as directed.

Contact your healthcare provider AND continue taking this product every day if you develop repeated vaginal bleeding after sex, or you start having periods that last more than 8 days or have periods that are heavier than normal.

Do not use Opill if you are allergic to norgestrel (the active ingredient) or any of its other ingredients, such as the color additive FD&C yellow No.5 (tartrazine). People allergic to aspirin often have a tartrazine allergy too. You can find a list of ingredients on the package labeling or ask your pharmacist. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

• Hives
• Facial swelling
• Asthma (wheezing)
• Shock
• Skin reddening
• Rash
• Blisters.

If an allergic reaction occurs, stop use and seek medical help right away.

Related questions

• Opill OTC vs other birth control pills: What's the difference?
• How much does Opill cost?
• How effective is Opill OTC birth control?

I missed my period while taking Opill, what do I do?

If you are already pregnant or think you may be pregnant, do not use Opill.

If you have missed two periods, or have missed one period and have also missed any doses of Opill, or suspect you are pregnant, you should take a pregnancy test or contact your doctor. Discontinue use of Opill if your test shows you are pregnant.

Signs that you may be pregnant might include:

• Missed periods
• Tender breasts
• Feeling nauseous (sick to your stomach)
• Fatigue
• Needing to urinate urgently or more frequently.

Are there any Opill drug intreactions?

Some medications can interact with the Opill, lowering its effectiveness. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start Opill if you take, or are starting, any of these medicines:

• Seizures medicines (like barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, topiramate, primidone)
• Tuberculosis drugs (like rifampin or rifabutin)
• A pulmonary hypertension medicine called bosentan
• An HIV/AIDS medicine (like efavirenz)
• Any herbal products that contain hypericum perforatum (for example, St John's Wort)

Your doctor or pharmacist may advise you to use another form of contraception.

Do not use Opill together with another form of hormonal birth control, such as another birth control pill, a vaginal ring, patch, implant, injection or IUD (intrauterine device).

Tell your pharmacist and doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), vitamins and herbal supplements. They can check any of your medicines for a drug interaction with Opill.

What do I do if I have taken an emergency contraceptive (morning after pill) before starting Opill?

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have taken an emergency contraceptive in the past 5 days.

Opill should not be used for 5 days after using the emergency contraceptive ella (which contains ulipristal). This might reduce the ability of both Opill and ella to prevent pregnancy. Also, use a condom (or another barrier method) every time you have sex until your next period.

Related: When will Opill be available in stores?

This is not all the information you need to know about Opill (norgestreol 0.075 mg) for safe and effective use. Review the full Drug Facts Label and Consumer Information Leaflet and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or pharmacist.