Marvelon Contraceptive Pill

Buy Marvelon 

Marvelon is a combined oral contraceptive pill that is designed to prevent a pregnancy from occurring.

Like other hormonal contraceptives, Marvelon won’t 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 Marvelon works

Marvelon contains two types of female sex hormones: oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progesterone (desogestrel). The hormones prevent an egg from being released from the ovaries, preventing pregnancy.

It also thickens the mucus in your cervix, making it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb.   

Directions

Always take Marvelon exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as your doctor / Chemist4U pharmacist has told you. If you forget to take Marvelon or experience sickness or diarrhoea while taking the pill, please refer to the patient information leaflet for guidance, as you may not be fully protected. 

Marvelon comes in strips of 21 pills. Each pill is marked with the day of the week. You should start by taking the pill that corresponds to the day you are taking it. Then, follow the direction of the arrows on the strip until you have finished all 21 pills. Take your pill at the same time each day.

After you have taken all 21 pills, you will then have a 7-day break where you don’t take any. You will experience a bleed during this time. During this break, you will still be protected if you have taken your pills correctly. 

Swallow each pill whole with water. Do not chew.

When to start taking Marvelon 

When you are starting the pill as a new user or after a break 

You can start taking Marvelon on the first day you start your period. Taking it as soon as your period begins provides you with instant protection.

If your period has already begun, you can also start Marvelon on day 5 of your period. You can take it on day 5, even if your bleeding has stopped. When beginning Marvelon on day 5 of your period, you must also use a barrier method of contraception, such as a condom, until you have taken your first 7 pills correctly. 

If you are currently on a 21-day pill

If you’re taking a 21-day pill, you can start taking Marvelon the day after the end of your previous strip. You will be protected with your first pill.

If you are currently on a 28-day pill

You can start taking Marvelon the day after your last active pill. You will be protected as soon as you take the first pill.

If you are currently taking a progesterone-only pill (POP)

Start taking Marvelon on the first day you experience bleeding, even if you have already taken your POP that day. You will be protected straight away. 

If you don’t have any bleeding while taking the POP, you can stop it and start Marvelon the following day. You will need to use an additional barrier method of contraception for the first 7 days.

Changing from a progestogen-only injection, implant or progestogen-releasing intrauterine device (IUD)

Start taking Marvelon when your next injection is due or on the day that your implant or IUD is removed. You must use an additional barrier method of contraception for the first 7 days.

After a miscarriage or abortion 

If you have had a miscarriage or abortion, your doctor might advise you to start taking Marvelon straight away, meaning you will instantly be protected. You must speak to your doctor before you begin Marvelon.

After having a baby

If you have recently given birth, you must ask your doctor for advice on contraception.

If you’re not breastfeeding, you can start taking Marvelon 3 weeks after giving birth. If you start taking it more than 3 weeks after giving birth, you must use an additional barrier method of contraception for the first 7 days.

If you have had unprotected sex since giving birth, you must make sure you are not pregnant before taking Marvelon. You must also wait until the first day of your period before taking Marvelon.

Side effects

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

• Headaches
• Weight gain
• Painful or tender breasts
• Depression or mood changes 
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain

For more information on potential side effects, refer to the patient information leaflet. 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 the pill immediately and seek medical attention straight away:

• Swelling in the leg that is accompanied by pain or tenderness in the leg, increased warmth in the affected leg or a change of colour in the leg
• Sudden unexplained breathlessness or rapid breathing
• A sudden cough accompanied by blood
• Sharp chest pain, which may increase with deep breathing
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat 

Although rare, using combined oral contraception can put you at higher risk of developing a blood clot. Blood clots can develop in your veins or arteries. The overall risk of developing a harmful blood clot is small.

The pill can also slightly increase the risk of cancer of the cervix. It may also increase the risk of breast cancer; however, the risk gradually starts to decrease once you stop taking the pill.

Warnings

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

• You have or have ever had a blood clot in a blood vessel of your legs, lungs or other organs 
• You have a disorder that affects your blood clotting e.g. protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, antithrombin-III deficiency, Factor V Laden or antiphospholipid antibodies
• If you need an operation and will be off your feet for an extended time 
• If you have ever had a heart attack or stroke 
• If you have or have ever had angina pectoris 
• If you have ever had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• You have severe diabetes with blood vessel damage 
• You have high cholesterol 
• You have or have ever had a migraine with aura 
• You have or have recently had severe liver disease 
• You have ever had a liver tumour 
• You have or have ever had pancreatitis 
• You are pregnant 
• You have cancer affected by sex hormones e.g. breast, womb or ovarian cancer
• You have unexplained vaginal bleeding 

Talk to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product if: 

• You have ever had problems with your heart, circulation or clotting 
• You have diabetes
• You have ever had liver or kidney problems
• You have ever had severe depression
• You have ever had migraines 
• You have ever had problems whilst pregnant or whilst using contraception e.g. itching of the body, jaundice, gallstones, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), herpes gestationis or hearing problems  
• You have chloasma
• You have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis 
• You have haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)
• You have sickle-cell anaemia
• You have hypertriglyceridaemia 
• You have inflammation of the veins under the skin
• You have varicose veins

Using/taking other medicines

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

You must tell your prescriber if you are taking the following medication:

• Ciclosporin, which is used for anti-inflammatory conditions, autoimmune conditions and rheumatoid arthritis 
• Lamotrigine, used for epilepsy or bipolar disorder
• Epilepsy medicines e.g. primidone, phenytoins, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate and modafinil
• Tuberculosis medication e.g. rifampicin
• HIV medication e.g. ritonavir, nelfinavir, nervirapine and efavirenz
• Hepititis C medication e.g. boceprevir, telaprevir
• Medicines for infectious diseases e.g. griseofulvin
• Medication for high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs e.g. bosentan 
• The herbal remedy, St John’s Wort

Age restrictions 

We cannot supply this product from our clinic to anyone under the age of 18.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not take this product if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.  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 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.