Birth Control Pills & Illness: Absorption & Concerns - Expert Advice

Question
Hello,

I take Azurette birth control pills and I always take them at 10pm at night, I have never been late or missed a pill.  Last night, I took my pill at 10pm and my boyfriend and I had sex but did not use a condom.  At 11:45pm I felt very sick and threw up and had diarrhea.  How long does it take the pill to be absorbed?  Do you think it was not absorbed because I threw up and had diarrhea 1 hour and 45 minutes after taking my pill?  Do you think I need to take Plan B?  I read everywhere about having diarrhea and throwing up and not absorbing your pill.  I'm worried.  Thanks.

Answer
It's a little hard to be sure.  Most likely your pill was already through the stomach and into the small intestines, where it wouldn't be lost by vomiting.  It's possible that you had slow emptying of the stomach, and the pill was lost.  I suspect you're fine, but you could take Plan B to have extra assurance against pregnancy.