What type of pill is Apri?

Apri is a birth control pill that combines two hormones, which is why it’s called a “combined oral contraceptive pill” or COCP. It is primarily prescribed to prevent pregnancy but it’s also used “off-label” to help with acne and to regulate periods. Off-label prescribing is when a doctor prescribes a medication for something it’s not officially approved for, but there’s still plenty of evidence that it works.

There are two versions: Apri 21 and Apri 28. In the 28 pack, you’ll get an extra seven dummy pills to take during what would normally be your pill-free week. In the 21 pack, you won’t get these extra pills, so you’ll just skip taking one for seven days after completing your strip of 21. Otherwise, the packs are exactly the same.

How does Apri work?

Apri works in three ways to protect you from becoming pregnant.

The birth control pill affects ovulation. Ovulation is when an egg is released from the ovary. The pill might stop ovulation completely but it’s not a guarantee.

Apri has an effect on the mucus in your cervix too. When you’re using the pill, it thickens the mucus so it’s harder for sperm to get through, and then reach an egg.

The hormones in Apri also impact the uterine lining. This lining, when you aren’t using hormonal birth control, builds up naturally over the month. When the lining comes away, this is when you have your period. But when you’re using Apri birth control pills, this lining doesn’t build up as normal. As a result, your lining is much thinner and your period tends to be a lot lighter than it normally would be.

How effective is Apri?

If you use it exactly as instructed, Apri is over 99% effective.^[1] This means that fewer than one in 100 women using it over a whole year will get pregnant.

The effectiveness of Apri will drop when the pill is taken typically, which includes the occasional late or missed pill. In such a case, its effectiveness drops to around 91% (so nine in 100 women per year using the pill typically will get pregnant).

The best way to make sure Apri works as well as possible is to follow the instructions as closely as you can.

How long does it take Apri to become effective?

When you first start taking Apri as your method of birth control, it can take around seven days for the pill to become effective (unless you take it on day 1 of your period).

So when you first start taking Apri, you should use another method of birth control whenever you have sex. This shouldn’t be another hormonal method (like the patch or the ring) because there are specific amounts of hormones in each product that make it safe to use.

Using multiple methods and having more hormones in your system can have a harmful impact on your health. Instead, use condoms or a diaphragm whenever you have sex.

How do I take Apri?

Apri needs to be taken at the same time each day to make it as effective as possible. You can take it with food if you like, but it isn’t necessary.

You might want to set a reminder or alarm to remember to take Apri at the same time each day.

When you first start taking Apri, you should use a back-up birth control method (like condoms or a diaphragm) for the first seven days, until your body gets used to Apri and it starts to work effectively.

When can I start taking Apri?

When you start using Apri, you can either take it on the first day of your period and be protected against pregnancy right away; or start on another day of the month, but use condoms for the first seven days of use.

If you’re switching from another pill, you can start Apri the day after your last pill in your previous pack.

What happens if I miss a pill?

If you accidentally miss a pill, don’t panic. What you should do next will depend on how far into your monthly pack you are as well as how many pills you’ve missed. When you miss pills, your birth control is less effective at protecting you against pregnancy.

If you miss an active pill, take two at the same time and then go back to taking one a day until your pack is finished.

If you miss two pills in the first or second week, take two pills a day for two days in a row. After those two days, take one pill a day until you finish up your packet. Use condoms or another back-up birth control when you have sex for a week to make sure you’re as protected as possible.

If you miss two pills in the third week, throw away your pack and start a new pack of Apri. You should do the same thing if you miss three pills in a row in weeks one, two or three. Use a barrier birth control method for the next seven days.

Missing pills can impact your cycle, so you might not get your period that month. If you don’t have a period for two months in a row, however, you should take a pregnancy test.

What if I’m sick when taking Apri?

If you experience vomiting or diarrhea while taking your pill, it could impact how effective it is. This is because your body doesn’t have the opportunity to absorb the pill properly. Just use a back-up contraceptive method like condoms until you’re feeling better.