Heat and birth control pills

[theatrebug]

Hi!
I just had a quick question about heat and my pills. It says to store mine up to 30 degrees and keep out of direct sunlight.

I have on occasion taken mine to the beach where it would have been 27 to 30 degrees outside. I had my pills in my backpack sitting in the shade for a good few hours before taking it. How much exposure to heat do these pills need before coming ineffective?

[Karyn]

A few hours out of direct sunlight shouldn't be a problem. If pills have been damaged by heat, that will sometimes show in the packaging as well: the individual blisters on the pack might look cloudy or distended. However, it would be a good idea to check with a pharmacist just to be sure, and if you're worried, use a backup method until you can be sure your pills are still effective.