How to take Junel Fe
It’s important to take birth control pills exactly as the doctor has described. Not following the instructions provided may weaken your protection. Always read the package insert before taking any medical treatment.
Take Junel Fe orally, with water. You need to take Junel Fe at the same time every day. If this is the first time you’re taking Junel Fe and you’re not switching from a different birth control method, take the first tablet on the first Sunday which follows your period. If your period begins on a Sunday, take your first pill on that day. Use additional birth control, like condoms, for seven days following the start of this course. This does not apply if your period began on a Sunday and you started taking Junel Fe on that day.
If you’re taking Junel Fe 1/20 or 1.5/30, there are 21 white “active” pills. These contain the active ingredients required to prevent pregnancy. This is then followed by seven days of daily brown tablets, which are “inactive.” These pills will help you to keep track of when to start again, and also carry an iron supplement (to help prevent iron deficiency).
You’ll do the same with Junel 24, only there are 24 active pills instead of 21.
If you feel nauseous while taking this treatment, try and take it after an evening meal or at bedtime. You can pick any time of day to take Junel Fe, but once you’ve picked a time it’s important to stick to it.
What to do if you miss a Junel Fe pill
Missing pills can reduce your protection, so it’s important to avoid this as much as possible. But if you do miss a pill, check the package insert for advice on what to do next.
If you miss one white “active” pill, take it as soon as you remember. Then, at the normal time, take the next pill. This can mean taking two pills in one day. After this, return to one pill daily at the usual time.
If you miss two white “active” pills in Week One or Two of your course, as shown on the pill packet, take two pills daily for two days. After this, return to one pill daily at the usual time.
If you miss two white “active” pills in Week Three of your course and you’re a Day One Starter, discard your current pill packet and start a new one. If you are a Sunday Starter, keep taking pills daily until Sunday. On Sunday, discard your pill packet and begin a new one.
If you miss three white “active” pills in Weeks One, Two or Three of your course and you’re a Day One Starter, discard your current pill packet and begin a new one. If you’re a Sunday Starter, keep taking pills daily until Sunday. On Sunday, discard your pill packet and begin a new one.
If you miss two or more pills, your protection will become reduced. You must make use of an additional method of birth control, like condoms, for seven days following this. Speak with the doctor if you’re unsure.
How effective is Junel Fe?
When Junel Fe is taken perfectly, meaning no pills missed, it is thought to be over 99% effective. Out of 100 women taking it over 12 months, this means that fewer than one will get pregnant.
Pregnancy rates rise for women who miss the occasional pill or take it at the wrong time, so it’s better to follow the instructions closely. The more pills you miss or forget, the lower your protection will be.
Medically reviewed by
Ms Laurenmarie Cormier
Nurse Practitioner
on August 02, 2022.
Meet Laurenmarie
This page was medically reviewed by
Ms Laurenmarie Cormier, Nurse Practitioner on August 02, 2022. Next review due on August 01, 2024.
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