Desogestrel

Buy desogestrel contraceptive pills online

Desogestrel is a contraceptive pill that is used to prevent pregnancy.It contains desogestrel which is a synthetic form of the female sex hormone, progestogen. This hormone is responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle and preparing your body for having a baby. It thickens the cervical mucus, to prevent sperm from entering. Unlike other mini-pills, Desogestrel is also capable of preventing an egg cell from ripening making it a very effective form of contraception. This medication is suitable for those who cannot take oestrogen. Speak to your doctor today, to find out if Desogetrel is the right contraception medication for you.

How the desogestrel pill protects against pregnancy

Desogestrel is a progestogen-only pill, also known as a POP or mini-pill. It helps to prevent pregnancy by thickening cervical mucus, to prevent sperm from passing through and (unlike other contraceptive pills) it is capable of preventing an egg cell from ripening, so there is no egg cell to be fertilised by sperm. If taken at a similar time every day, it is 99% effective. You must take the pill every day without a break. You may experience irregular bleeding or no bleeding at all when taking this pill. Desogestrel is suitable for those who cannot take contraceptive pills that contain oestrogen, such as smokers over 35 and those who are breastfeeding. Desogestrel protects against pregnancy but provides no protection against STIs.

Directions

Always take this medicine exactly as described by your doctor, pharmacist or family planning nurse. Each strip of Desogestrel contains 28 tablets - 4 weeks supply.

Take one table each day at around the same time - swallow whole with water.

How to administer

• Arrows are printed on the front of the strip, between the tablets - the days of the week are printed on the strip and each day corresponds with one tablet

• Every time you start a new strip, take a table from the top row and start on the day that you are currently on - e.g. if it is a Wednesday, take the Wednesday tablet on the top row

• Continue to take one tablet every day until the pack is empty, always following the direction indicated by the arrows 

• You may have some bleeding during the use of Desogestrel, but you must continue to take your tablets as normal

• When a strip is empty, you must start with a new strip of Desogestrel on the next day, without interruption and without waiting for a bleed

Starting your first pack 

If you have not used hormonal contraception before or in the past month, wait for your period to begin. On the first day of your period, take the first Desogestrel tablet. Additional contraceptive precautions are not necessary. HOWEVER, if you take your fist table on days 2 - 5 of your period use an additional barrier method of contraception for the first 7 days of tablet-taking. 

When changing from a combined pill, vaginal ring or transdermal patch

If you have a tablet, ring or patch-free break ensure you use an additional barrier method of contraception for the first 7 days of tablet-taking. 

If you don’t have a tablet, ring or patch-free break:

• Start taking Desogestrel on the day after you take the last tablet from the present pill pack or on the day of removal of your vaginal ring or patch 

• If your present pill pack also contains inactive tablets, you can start Desogestrel on the day after taking the last active tablet (if you are not sure which is this is, ask your doctor or pharmacist). 

• You do not need to use additional contraception. 

When changing from another progestogen-only pill (mini-pill)

Switch on any day from another mini pill. Additional contraceptive precautions are not necessary. 

When you change from an injection, implant or hormonal IUS

Start using Desogestrel when your next injection is due or on the day that your implant or your IUS is removed. Additional contraceptive precautions are not necessary. 

After you have a baby

You can start Desogestrel between 21 - 28 days after the birth of your baby. If you start later, make sure that during the first cycle, you use an additional barrier method of contraception for the first 7 days of tablet-taking. However, if you have already had sex, check that you are not pregnant before starting Desogestrel. If you have had an abortion or miscarriage, seek advice from your doctor. 

If you forget to take Desogestrel

If you are less than 12 hours late, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember and take the next one at the usual time. Desogestrel will still protect you from pregnancy.

IF you are more than 12 hours late, you may not be completely protected against pregnancy. The more consecutive tablets you have missed, the higher the risk of falling pregnant. Take your tablet as soon as you remember and take the next one at the usual time. This may mean taking 2 in one day. This is not harmful (if you have forgotten more than one tablet, you don’t need to take the earlier missed ones). Continue to take your tablets, as usual, but you must also use an extra method, such as a condom for the next 7 days. IF you are more than 12 hours late taking your tablet and have had sex it is safe to use emergency contraception - consult your pharmacist or doctor first. If you have missed one or more tablets in the first week of tablet-intake and had intercourse in the week before missing the tablets, you may fall pregnant. Ask your doctor for advice. 

Vomiting or using medical charcoal

If you vomit or use medical charcoal within 3 - 4 hours after taking your Desogestrel tablet or have severe diarrhoea, the active ingredient may not have been completely absorbed. 

Side Effects

Like all medicines, Desogestrel can cause side effects, although not everybody will experience them. Common side effects include:

• Mood changes

• Depressed mood

• Decreased sexual drive

• Headache

• Nausea

• Acne

• Breast pain

• Irregular or no periods

• Weight increase

Serious side effects

Contact your doctor immediately if:

• You notice possible signs of a blood clot

• You have sudden, severe, stomach ache or jaundice

• You feel a lump in your breast

• You have sudden or severe pain in the lower abdomen or stomach area

• You are to be immobilised or to have surgery

• You have unusual, heavy vaginal vleeding

• You suspect you are pregnant

Mental health

Some women using hormonal contraceptives, including Desogestrel, have reported depression or depressed mood. Depression can be serious and may sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes and depressive symptoms, contact your doctor for further medical advice, as soon as possible. 

Breast cancer 

It is important to regularly check your breasts. Breast cancer has been found slightly more often in women who take the pill than in women of the same age who do NOT take the pill. If women stop taking the pill, this reduces the risk.

Thrombosis

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot, which may block a blood vessel. A thrombosis sometimes occurs in the deep veins of the legs (deep venous thrombosis). If this clot breaks away from the veins where it is formed, it may reach and block the arteries of the lungs, causing a so-called ‘pulmonary embolism’. A pulmonary embolism can cause chest pain, breathlessness, collapse or even death. Deep venous thrombosis is rare and can develop whether or not you are taking the pill, however the risk is higher in pill-users. 

Warnings

This medicine DOES NOT protect against STIs. Do NOT take this desogestrel if you are allergic to any of the ingredients (see ingredients tab for full list) or if you:

• Have thrombosis - formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel of the legs or the lungs

• Have or had jaundice

• Have or if you are suspected of having a cancer that grows under the influence of sex-steroids, such as certain types of breast cancer

• Have any unexplained vaginal bleeding. 

Speak to your doctor BEFORE taking this medication if you:

• Have ever had breast cancer

• Have liver cancer

• Have every had a thrombosis

• Have diabetes

• Suffer from epilepsy

• Have tuberculosis

• Have high blood pressure

• Have or have had chloasma

Can I take Desogestrel with other medication?

Some medicines may stop Desogestrel from working properly. These include medicines used for the treatment of:

• Epilepsy - e.g. primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, felbamate and phenobarbital

• Tuberculosis  - e.g. rifampicin 

• HIV infections or other infectious diseases - e.g. ritonavir or griseofulvin

• Stomach upset - e.g. medical charcoal

• Depressive moods - e.g. the herbal remedy St. John’s Wort

Speak to your doctor if you are taking any of the above, as they will be able to advise you on whether this medicine is suitable for you and if you need to use any other contraceptive precautions. 

ALWAYS read the leaflet BEFORE using this medicine. 

Can you take Desogestrel if you are pregnant or breastfeeding?

Do NOT use this medication if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. This medicine can be used whilst you are breast-feeding. It does not influence the production or quality of breast milk. However, a small amount of the active substance of Desogestrel passes over into the milk. Speak to your doctor before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

Important Information

This product is a medicine; make sure to speak to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or our pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or our pharmacist if this medicine is right for you.

Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before using this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.