To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, oral contraceptives must be taken exactly as directed and at intervals not exceeding 24 hours.

For a DAY 1 START, count the first day of menstrual flow as Day 1 and the first light yellow tablet is then taken on Day 1. For a SUNDAY START when menstrual flow begins on or before Sunday, the first light yellow tablet is taken on that day. With either a DAY 1 START or SUNDAY START, 1 light yellow tablet is taken for 7 days, then 1 white tablet for 9 days, then 1 light yellow tablet for 5 days, then 1 peach tablet (inert) for 7 days, whether bleeding has stopped or not. With either a DAY 1 START or SUNDAY START 1 tablet is taken each day at the same time for 28 days. After all 28 tablets are taken, whether bleeding has stopped or not, the same dosage schedule is repeated beginning on the following day.

INSTRUCTIONS TO PATIENTS

• To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, the oral contraceptive pill must be taken exactly as directed and at intervals not exceeding 24 hours.
• Important: Women should be instructed to use an additional method of protection until after the first 7 days of administration in the initial cycle.
• Due to the normally increased risk of thromboembolism occurring postpartum, women should be instructed not to initiate treatment with oral contraceptives earlier than 4 weeks after a full-term delivery. If pregnancy is terminated in the first 12 weeks, the patient should be instructed to start oral contraceptives immediately or within 7 days. If pregnancy is terminated after 12 weeks, the patient should be instructed to start oral contraceptives after 2 weeks.33, 77
• If spotting or breakthrough bleeding should occur, the patient should continue the medication according to the schedule. Should spotting or breakthrough bleeding persist, the patient should notify her physician.
• If the patient misses 1 pill, she should be instructed to take it as soon as she remembers and then take the next pill at the regular time. The patient should be advised that missing a pill can cause spotting or light bleeding and that she may be a little sick to her stomach on the days she takes the missed pill with her regularly scheduled pill. If the patient has missed more than one pill, see DETAILED PATIENT LABELING, HOW TO TAKE THE PILL, WHAT TO DO IF YOU MISS PILLS.
• Use of oral contraceptives in the event of a missed menstrual period:
• If the patient has not adhered to the prescribed dosage regimen, the possibility of
  pregnancy should be considered after the first missed period and oral contraceptives should
  be withheld until pregnancy has been ruled out.
• If the patient has adhered to the prescribed regimen and misses 2 consecutive periods,
  pregnancy should be ruled out before continuing the contraceptive regimen.