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Should Contraceptive Pills Be Used After Their Expiry Date?

Posted on Mon, 14 Sep 2015

Question: I take cilest contraceptive pill. For the last 14 days and possibly the month before I have been using packets with an expiry date of 08/15.

I saw my doctor this morning who said they don't expire until the end of the month. I was too flustered at the time mention that it is the end of the month 28/08/14.

He has given me a new prescription.but I am still worried that I may not have been protected until now.

Answered by Dr. Nidhi Setia (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
pills should not be used after expiry date.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome to HCM,

I can understand your concerns,

In my opinion ,pills should not be used after expiry date.

After expiry date,pills must be discarded or else it may cause side effects.

Protection rates may decreased once pills cross expiry date.

I advise that you should start new packet of pill and if you miss your period,you should consult your gynecologist to rule out pregnancy.

Hope it helps.

Feel free to ask further,

Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar