How to take Desogestrel

Before taking Desogestrel, you must ensure that you have read and understood how to take Desogestrel, which is detailed in the Patient Information Leaflet.

Desogestrel is for oral use only, to prevent pregnancy. It can be prescribed online by our medical team at The Independent Pharmacy for women over the age of 18 years who are currently prescribed it by their GP.

Take 1 Desogestrel tablet every day at the same time with a glass of water until the packet is empty.

Start each new packet on the top row and take the tablet that correlates with the right day of the week printed on the pack over each tablet.

When you finish a pack, start a new pack in the same way at the same time the next day. You should not take a break between packs.

How do you start taking Desogestrel?

If you are not currently or have not used any hormonal contraception in the past month:

• You should wait for your period to begin and take your first Desogestrel tablet on the first day of your period.
• You will not need to use any additional contraceptives to prevent pregnancy.
• If you start Desogestrel any time after day 1 of your period, use a barrier method of contraception such as a condom for 7 days.

If you are switching from a combined pill, vaginal ring or transdermal patch:

• Take the first Desogestrel tablet the first day after your tablet, ring or patch-free break of your present contraceptive, and use additional barrier contraception such as condoms for 7 days.

OR

• Do not have a tablet, ring or patch-free break, and start taking your first Desogestrel tablet the day after you take your last tablet from your present pack, or on the day of removal of your vaginal ring or patch. You will not need to use additional barrier contraception.

If you are changing from any other progestogen-only-pill:

• You can switch on any day and you will not need to use additional barrier contraception.

If you are changing from an injection or implant or hormonal IUS such as the coil:

• Start your first Desogestrel tablet the day your next injection is due, or on the day that your implant or your IUS is removed. You will not need to use additional barrier contraception.

If you are using Desogestrel after having a baby:

• You can start taking Desogestrel between 21 and 28 days after the birth of your baby and will not need to use additional barrier contraception.
• If you start taking Desogestrel tablets after day 28, you must use additional barrier contraception such as condoms, during the first 7 days.

Desogestrel missed pill

If you miss a Desogestrel pill for whatever reason, it might mean that you are not protected and you may need to use another method of contraception.

Below we’ve outlined a couple of different scenarios so that you can establish whether you are covered or not by Desogestrel.

If you are over 12 hours late taking your Desogestrel tablet, you vomit or have diarrhoea within three to four hours, this counts as a missed pill. Therefore:

• You should take the missed pill as soon as you remember or as soon as you feel better and then continue to take your pills at the usual time the next day. You may need to take two on the same day.
• You may not be completely protected from pregnancy so you should use a barrier method of contraception such as a condom for seven days.
• If you are more than 12 hours late taking your pill and have had sex, you can use emergency contraception to protect you from pregnancy.

If you are less than 12 hours late taking your Desogestrel tablet:

• Take the missed pill as soon as you remember and take the next tablet at the usual time.
• You will still be protected from pregnancy.

If you are unsure at all, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

Desogestrel ingredients

It’s generally a good idea to find out what is in any medicine before you start taking it, particularly if you have any known allergies.

Below is a list of Desogestrel ingredients (both active and inactive) that this progesterone-only contraceptive pill contains.

Each Desogestrel tablet contains the active ingredient desogestrel in a 75 mcg dose.

The inactive ingredients are:

• Lactose monohydrate
• Povidone K30 (E1201)
• D-α-tocopherol (E307)
• Soybean oil
• Colloidal hydrated (E551)
• Stearic acid (E570)
• Hypromellose 2910 (E464)
• Titanium dioxide (E171)

Warning: generic desogestrel tablets may contain soy.

You should not use Desogestrel if you are allergic to desogestrel or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

For a full list of ingredients included in Desogestrel tablets, please read the Patient Information Leaflet. Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet included with this medicine before taking it.

Desogestrel side effects

As with any type of medication, Desogestrel may cause some people to experience side effects.

Not everyone who uses this progesterone-only pill will experience side effects. In fact, low dose oral contraceptive POPs like Desogestrel tend to have fewer and milder symptoms for some users compared to other types of hormonal birth control such as the combined pill. Progestogen-only pills may be prescribed to people who have had unpleasant side effects from combined oral contraceptives (such as severe mood swings or depression).

If you do experience adverse effects from Desogestrel, they should normally improve after the first few months of starting these tablets.

The most commonly reported side effects associated with Desogestrel are as follows:

• Changes to menstrual cycle, such as irregular periods, spotting (also known as breakthrough bleeding) or no periods at all
• Mood changes (such as low mood)
• Decreased sexual drive
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Acne
• Breast pain and tenderness
• Weight increase

If you are concerned about any side effects or you find they do not improve after the first few months (or after you stop using Desogestrel), you should speak to a doctor, pharmacist or nurse for advice.

If you experience severe side effects or an allergic reaction while taking Desogestrel you should get immediate medical advice from a doctor or your nearest emergency department.

Before taking Desogestrel tablets, you should take time to familiarise yourself with all side effects detailed in the Patient Information Leaflet.

Desogestrel warnings

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet for full details on the warnings and precautions associated with Desogestrel tablets.

• Desogestrel, like other hormonal contraceptives, does not protect against any sexually transmitted disease or infection.
• Speak to a doctor before taking Desogestrel if you suffer from liver disease, diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Desogestrel, like other hormonal oral contraceptives, may increase your risk of developing breast cancer. You should ensure you regularly check your breasts for irregularities and see a doctor if you are concerned.
• Desogestrel in rare cases can slightly increase your chances of developing blood clots or pulmonary embolism. If you think you have symptoms of a blood clot you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
• If you are currently or have recently been taking any other prescribed or non-prescribed medication you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking Desogestrel.
• Always ensure that you keep up to date with your annual contraceptive reviews with your GP whilst using the contraceptive pill or any other hormonal type of birth control.

Desogestrel and breast cancer

As with any hormonal contraceptive, there is thought to be an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

However, this risk is very small, and there is still research being carried out to establish the link between breast cancer and use of the progestogen-only pill.

Regularly checking your breasts is important, whether you take any oral contraceptives or not. If you do notice any irregularities or something doesn’t seem right, raise your concerns with your doctor. The earlier breast cancer diagnosed, the more likely it is to be treated successfully.

Desogestrel: pregnancy and breastfeeding

You should not take Desogestrel if you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant. Speak to a doctor if you think you have taken Desogestrel during pregnancy.

You can take Desogestrel while you are breast-feeding, but you should discuss your contraceptives options with a doctor, your midwife or health visitor.

Desogestrel and other drugs

On the whole, there are not many clinically proven drug interactions with Desogestrel that you need to worry about. Desogestrel is safe and effective to take alongside many other medications.

However, as with starting any new medication, consult your doctor first before taking Desogestrel. Make sure they know of any existing medication you are taking, or any health conditions you have such as high blood pressure, epilepsy or diabetes. Some of these treatments may cause hormonal contraceptives like Desogestrel to become less effective.