The minipill is taken daily. There is no pill-free interval.

You start taking the minipill on the first day of a menstrual period. It doesn't matter what time of day you choose for taking the pill but once you have decided on a time you must keep to this precisely as the interval between two tablets should be as close as possible to 24 hours. If you take the pill more than three hours late the contraceptive protection will be reduced.

During the first 14 days of using the minipill you must use additional non-hormonal methods of contraception (but not a natural family planning method such as the calendar method or the temperature method).

Vomiting or diarrhea can compromise the contraceptive action.

If you have previously been using a different hormonal contraceptive (e.g. a combined oral contraceptive or an injectable contraceptive) you should inform your doctor as there are certain rules to be observed when switching from one hormonal method to another.

If you want to start using the minipill very soon after giving birth or after a miscarriage or abortion you should ask your doctor's advice.