What Happens If You Eat the Birth Control Pill?

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

Despite the common concern, an accidental, single-pill ingestion is rarely dangerous due to the low-dose hormones in modern oral contraceptives. This guide will explain what happens if you eat the birth control pill, exploring potential effects on adults and children, and clarifying what action is necessary.

Quick Summary

Accidental ingestion of a birth control pill by an adult or child is generally not harmful. While mild, temporary side effects like nausea can occur, serious health issues are rare. The potential effects depend on whether the pill was hormonal or an inactive, iron-containing tablet.

Key Points

Accidental ingestion is typically not serious: Modern birth control pills contain low doses of hormones, so accidental ingestion by an adult or child is generally not a poisoning risk.
Expect mild, temporary side effects: A higher-than-normal dose can cause temporary symptoms like nausea, breast tenderness, or slight vaginal bleeding.
Distinguish between active and inactive pills: Inactive placebo pills sometimes contain iron, which can cause stomach upset, particularly in children.
Chewing regular pills can reduce effectiveness: Non-chewable birth control pills are designed to be swallowed whole, and chewing them can alter their absorption and efficacy.
Contact Poison Control for guidance: If accidental ingestion occurs, especially with a child, call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) for expert and confidential advice.
Know the emergency signs: While rare, seek immediate medical help for symptoms like chest pain, trouble breathing, or signs of a severe allergic reaction.

Birth control pills are one of the most widely used forms of contraception, but their small size can lead to accidental ingestion, especially by curious toddlers. For someone taking the pill, a moment of absentmindedness could lead to taking an extra dose. In either scenario, the ingestion is often not a cause for serious medical concern, though understanding the potential effects and appropriate steps to take is important. The effects vary depending on the individual, the number of pills ingested, and whether they were active (hormonal) or inactive (placebo/iron) pills.

Accidental Birth Control Ingestion: Adult vs. Child

The consequences of accidentally ingesting birth control pills differ based on the age of the person. Due to the very low toxicity of the hormones in oral contraceptives, serious outcomes are rare, but caution is still advised, especially concerning young children.

Accidental Ingestion by an Adult

For an adult who accidentally takes an extra dose of their birth control, the risk of harm is very low. Taking two pills on the same day is a relatively common mistake and generally won't lead to serious side effects. Any symptoms that do occur are typically mild and temporary. These can include nausea, breast tenderness, or light vaginal bleeding that may start a few days later. An adult who takes a higher dose, but not a life-threatening amount, may experience more pronounced versions of these symptoms, along with headaches or mood changes.

Accidental Ingestion by a Child

When a child, particularly a toddler, eats one or more birth control pills, it is usually not considered a serious poisoning risk. Modern oral contraceptives contain a very low concentration of hormones, and a child's immature body does not readily absorb or react strongly to them. The most common side effects seen in children are minor and short-lived, such as mild stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea. In the past, higher-dose pills sometimes caused slight vaginal bleeding in young girls, but this is unlikely with current formulations. The main concern for children is often not the hormones but rather inactive pills that may contain iron, which can cause stomach distress. Regardless, it is always recommended to contact a poison control center immediately for guidance.

Chewable vs. Regular Tablets: The Absorption Factor

Not all birth control pills are created equal, and some are specifically designed to be chewed, while others are not. Chewing a regular, non-chewable pill can impact its effectiveness and absorption.

Regular birth control tablets have a specific coating and formulation designed to be swallowed whole and absorbed over time. Chewing or crushing these can alter the rate at which the body absorbs the hormones. While swallowing the remnants will likely still provide a contraceptive effect, it's not ideal and could reduce its efficacy slightly. It is safest to assume that the dose might be compromised and follow the manufacturer's instructions for a missed or compromised pill. Conversely, chewable birth control is formulated for proper absorption after chewing and often has a specific flavor.

Active vs. Inactive Pills: The Difference Matters

Many birth control packs contain a mixture of active, hormone-containing pills and inactive, or placebo, pills. Understanding the difference is crucial, especially in cases of accidental ingestion.


Feature	Active (Hormonal) Pills	Inactive (Placebo/Iron) Pills
Purpose	Contain synthetic hormones (estrogen and/or progestin) to prevent pregnancy.	Contain no hormones; used to maintain the daily routine of taking a pill and allow for a withdrawal bleed.
Appearance	Often different colors than the inactive pills, though some packs have pills of the same color.	Typically a different color from the active pills.
Potential Effects	Can cause mild, short-term side effects like nausea or breast tenderness, especially if extra pills are taken.	May contain iron and cause minor stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea, particularly in children.
Accidental Ingestion Risk	Not typically a serious risk due to low hormone levels.	Usually not dangerous, but high amounts of ingested iron can be more concerning for young children.

What to Do Immediately After Ingestion

If you or someone else has accidentally ingested birth control pills, take the following steps:

Stay calm. Serious issues are highly unlikely.
Call Poison Control. In the US, call 1-800-222-1222. Provide information about the person (age, weight) and the specific pills ingested (brand name, how many).
Gather the pill pack. This will help Poison Control identify whether the ingested pills were active or inactive, and if they contain iron.
Do not induce vomiting. Unless instructed by a healthcare provider, do not try to make the person vomit.
Follow medical advice. The Poison Control expert will advise you on whether any symptoms are expected or if further action is necessary.

Overdose Symptoms: What to Watch For

While rare, a very large intentional overdose or an allergic reaction could lead to more severe symptoms. If you experience any of the following, seek immediate medical attention by calling 911 or visiting the nearest emergency room:

Sudden, severe pain
Difficulty breathing or chest pain
Loss of consciousness or a seizure
Facial swelling, hives, or other signs of an allergic reaction
Severe, persistent vomiting
Significant swelling in the legs (potential sign of blood clot)

Conclusion

Accidental ingestion of birth control pills is a common and usually benign event. The low levels of hormones in modern formulations make them relatively safe, even for children. Mild side effects like nausea can occur, but they are typically temporary and resolve on their own. Key actions following accidental ingestion include calling Poison Control for expert guidance and confirming whether the pills were active or inactive, particularly if they contained iron. For those intentionally taking an overdose or experiencing severe symptoms, immediate medical attention is necessary.

For more information on birth control and its side effects, consult a reliable medical resource like the Mayo Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is usually not dangerous if a child eats a birth control pill. The hormonal dose is very low and unlikely to cause serious harm. The most common risk is mild stomach upset from inactive pills that contain iron.

Taking two birth control pills in one day is not considered a medical emergency and will likely not have any serious health effects. The most common outcome is mild, temporary side effects such as nausea or breast tenderness.

Yes, but any sickness is usually mild and temporary. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset, particularly from the extra hormone dose or from inactive pills that contain iron.

Take the pills away and call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222 for expert guidance. Take the pill package with you to the phone so you can provide information on the pill type and ingredients.

While it is possible to take more than the recommended dose, a birth control overdose is rarely life-threatening due to the low toxicity of the hormones. However, intentionally taking a large number of pills should be treated as a medical emergency, especially if severe symptoms occur.

Eating or chewing a regular, non-chewable birth control pill can alter its rate of absorption and could potentially reduce its effectiveness. If this occurs, it is best to treat it as a compromised dose and follow the instructions for a missed pill.

While rare, an allergic reaction to birth control medication is possible. If you or someone experiences severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, facial swelling, or hives after ingesting a pill, call 911 immediately.