Switching to a new pill

[Hearth6]

Hi there,

I switched from one combination pill to another brand of combination pill, do I need to use a backup method? The old pill I used to take at 6 am every morning. The new pill I now take at 10 pm every night. Is there a time frame in between any of this that could make me not protected? I started my new pack the day after I finished my last reminder pill of the old pack. The only difference was I took it at 10 pm because I am no longer taking it at 6 am.

Thanks!

[Johanna]

So just to make sure I understand correctly, you started the new pack right after the placebo week of the old pack finished, with no break in between? The only difference is that you should have taken the pill at 6am but switched that time to 10pam on that same day? Normally, if you switch pills without a break in between, the protection will not be interrupted. However, since you moved the pill time from early in the morning to late at night, you technically had a late pill on the first day of your new pack. One late pill isn't a super big deal, that stil puts you in the typical use rate of the pill. Of course, if you want to be extra safe, you can always back up with condoms - and that is a smart idea, anyway, as the pill does not offer protection against STIs.

[Hearth6]

Yeah exactly Johanna , I took the first pill of the new pack on time as I normally would, just at 10 pm instead of 6 am since 6 am made me feel very nauseous. So do I need a backup method? Or will I be ok since I never skipped a pill?

[Hearth6]

Also, I did not do anything until after 7 days of taking the new pack so am I considered on perfect use once I waited 7 days?

[Johanna]

Like I said, one late pill is not a big deal. You just want to be sure not to make it a habit to take your pills randomly all over the place, but it doesn't sound like you are doing that