Desogestrel Contraceptive Pill

Buy Desogestrel

Desogestrel is an oral contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy. It is a progestogen-only pill (POP), also known as the mini-pill. 

Like other hormonal contraceptives, Desogestrel will not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). To protect yourself from both STDs and pregnancy, you must also use a barrier method, such as a condom. 

How Desogestrel works

Desogestrel contains a small amount of one type of female sex hormone, the progestogen desogestrel. 

It works by preventing the sperm cells from entering the womb and the egg cells from ripening. 

Directions

Always take Desogestrel exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as your doctor / Chemist4U pharmacist has told you. 

If you forget to take Desogestrel or have a severe bout of sickness or diarrhoea, refer to the patient information leaflet for advice, as you may not be fully protected against pregnancy.

Each pack contains 28 tablets. The days of the week are printed on the blister, with arrows indicating the order in which you should take the pills. Every time you start a new pack of Desogestrel, take a tablet from the top row. If you start the pill on a Wednesday, you must take the tablet from the top row marked as ‘WED’. 

You should take 1 pill daily, preferably at the same time each day. Continue to take the pack until it is empty.

Swallow the tablet whole with water. 

When you can start taking Desogestrel

When no hormonal contraceptive has been used in the last month 

Wait for your period to begin. On the first day of your period, take the first tablet. You will not need to take extra contraceptive precautions. 

You can also start on days 2-5 of your cycle; however, you must use additional contraception (barrier method) for the first 7 days. 

Changing from a combined pill, vaginal ring or transdermal patch 

You can start taking Desogestrel the day after you take the last tablet from your current pill pack. 

You can also start taking the tablets on the removal day of your vaginal ring or patch. 

If your pill pack also contains inactive tablets, you can start Desogestrel the day after taking your last active tablet.

You can also start taking Desogestrel the day after your ring or patch has been removed or during a placebo tablet interval of your current contraception. You will, however, need to use additional contraception (barrier method) for the first 7 days. 

When changing from another progestogen-only contraception method 

You can stop taking your current pill any day and start taking Desogestrel straight away. You will not need to take extra contraceptive precautions.

When changing from an injectable, implant or progestogen-releasing intrauterine device (IUD)

You should start taking Desogestrel when your next injection is due or on the day that your implant or your IUD is removed. You do not need to take any extra contraceptive measures. 

After having a baby 

You can start taking Desogestrel between 21 and 28 days after the birth of your baby. If you start taking it later, make sure you use additional contraception (barrier method) for the first 7 days. 

If you have already had unprotected sex, you must make sure you are not pregnant before taking Desogestrel.

After a miscarriage or an abortion 

You must speak to your doctor, who will advise you when you can start taking Desogestrel. 

Side effects

Desogestrel may cause side effects in some people, but these won’t affect everybody. Common side effects include: 

• Altered mood 
• Decreased sex drive (libido)
• Headaches 
• Nausea 
• Acne 
• Breast pain
• Irregular or no menstruation 
• Increased body weight 

If you experience any side effects, including any not included in the patient information leaflet, you can report them using the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

Serious side effects

Seek emergency medical attention if you notice any signs of a severe allergic reaction, symptoms of which include swelling of the face and throat, skin rash, breathing difficulties and/or loss of consciousness. 

If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking Desogestrel and contact a healthcare professional straight away:

• Severe pain or swelling in your legs, unexplained pains in your chest, breathlessness, an unusual cough, coughing up blood
• Sudden severe stomach ache or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Sudden, severe pain in the lower abdomen or stomach area 
• A lump in your breast
• Unusual, heavy vaginal bleeding

Breast cancer has been found slightly more often in women who take the pill compared to those who don’t. When you stop taking the pill, the risk gradually decreases.

Although rare, the risk of developing a blood clot in the legs or lungs is slightly higher in women taking the pill. The risk with progestogen-only pills such as Desogestrel is believed to be lower in comparison to women who take pills that also contain oestrogens (combined pill). 

Warnings

Desogestrel may be unsuitable for certain people. Do not take these tablets if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or if:

• You have a blood clot in the legs or lungs
• You have or have ever had jaundice or severe liver disease, and your liver function has not returned to normal
• You have or are suspected to have cancer that is sensitive to progestogens e.g. breast cancer 
• You have unexplained vaginal bleeding 
• You are allergic to peanuts or soya 

Talk to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking Desogestrel if: 

• You have ever had breast cancer
• You have ever had liver cancer 
• You have ever had a blood clot in your legs or lungs
• You have diabetes
• You have epilepsy 
• You have tuberculosis 
• You have high blood pressure 
• You have or have had chloasma 

Using/taking other medicines

If you are taking or have recently taken any medication, including medication obtained without a prescription, talk to your GP or pharmacist before taking Desogestrel.

You must tell your healthcare provider if you are taking the following medication, as they may stop Desogestrel from working properly:

• Epilepsy medication e.g. primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, felbamate and phenobarbital 
• Medication for tuberculosis e.g. rifampicin 
• Medication for HIV e.g. ritonavirvir 
• Medication to treat other infectious diseases e.g. griseofulvin 
• Medical charcoal 
• St John’s wort 

Your healthcare provider will tell you if you need to take additional contraceptive precautions and, if so, for how long. 

Desogestrel may also interfere with the way certain medications work, such as medicines containing cyclosporine. It may increase or decrease the effect. 

Age restrictions 

We are unable to prescribe this product from our clinic to anyone under the age of 18.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not take Desogestrel if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, you must ask your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist for advice before taking any new product. 

Storage information

Store in a cool, dry place out of sight and reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date, referring to the last day of the month stated on the packaging. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.

Important information

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 Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist if this product is right for you.

Store all out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before taking this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.