If you miss a birth control pill, what you should do depends on how many pills you have missed and what type of pill you are taking. Generally, if you miss one pill, you should take it as soon as you remember and then take the next pill at the usual time, even if it means taking two pills in one day. If you miss two or more pills, you should take the most recent pill that you missed as soon as possible and then continue taking one pill a day until you finish the pack. You should also use a backup method of birth control, such as condoms, for the next seven days. If you have missed pills and have had sex without a backup method of birth control, you can use emergency contraception to help prevent pregnancy. The most effective emergency contraception is an IUD, which can be inserted by a doctor. You can also get emergency contraceptive pills with or without a prescription from your doctor or at most drugstores.