Advice on taking birth control incorrectly

[lookingforhope]

Hi, so I'm having a problem in taking the pills. I'm currently taking combined pills and today is my last active pill in the pack. However, I accidentally chewed it all over with food in my mouth, which my pill was non-chewable.

Now I'm confused. I know that NO CHEWING on pills because it will break its effectiveness, and I don't hesitate if I have to take an extra pill, but since it is the last active one in the pack, should I take an extra pill? Or I just need to restart the cycle? I have taken the pills correctly and on 4-hour window during the last 9 months.

What should I do? Thank you in advance.

[Heather]

My best advice would be to just carry on taking your pills as usual, and just use a backup method of birth control (like a condom) until you're 7 days into your next pack's active pills.

[lookingforhope]

Thank you so much. I was so worried

[Heather]

It might help to remember that typical use effectiveness rates for the pill -- that's 91% in one WHOLE YEAR (not one time, where the % is going to be a LOT higher) -- build in/account for tiny mistakes like this.