Birth control pill with soda

[lmoss69]

I normally take my BC pill with water but tonight all I had was mountain dew to drink when taking my pill.. I was wondering if it is ok to take the pill with soda or will it decrease the effectiveness?

[Heather]

It doesn't matter what fluid a person swallows the pill with.

Check the patient information leaflet that comes with your pill, sometime: it gives you all the most important information about using it. You can know that when it doesn't say anything about things like this, that's because it doesn't matter.

[lmoss69]

I'm a Sunday starter for my BC pills.. Am I ok if I take my first (Sunday) pill between 15-30 minutes later than I normally take it? I wasn't sure with it being the first pill in the pack

[Sam W]

Hi lmoss69,

Yes, 15-30 minutes will not harm the effectiveness of the pill. In fact, you have a 12 hour grace period before a pill is even considered late.

[lmoss69]

Thank you for the quick reply! That's what I thought but I didn't know with it being the first pill. You all are so helpful!

[lmoss69]

I'm just trying to get things straight.. I know they say sperm can live up to like 7 days in good conditions so if I had intercourse this past Saturday but I took a pill up to an hour later than normal, let's say for instance last night (Wednesday).. You would be covered even in that hour that was late?

[Onionpie]

As Sam said, unless it is over 12 hours late, the effectiveness of the pill shouldn't be harmed. The pill is cumulative, so when you've taken all your other pills on time, you will still be covered within those 12 hours even if you haven't taken that day's pill yet. That DOES mean that the first few pills of the cycle ARE the most important ones to take on time, you're right -- but an hour late is still considered "on time". Even up to 3 hours late is still considered totally "on time".

I highly suggest reading these articles, as they really help clarify how the pill works:
How do birth control pills really work, even during the placebo period?
Combined Oral Contraceptives (The Pill)