POM
Desogestrel
Price confirmed within your consultation, before anything is supplied.
This is a prescription-only medicine, so it cannot be added to a basket. Complete a short online consultation and a UK-registered prescriber will review whether it is clinically appropriate for you. Supply is never guaranteed, and you are not charged for medicine that is not supplied.
Set the eligibility form link in this section's settings, or add the custom.eligibility_url metafield on this product. Takes about a minute. Reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber before anything is dispatched.- Dispensed by a GPhC-registered pharmacy (No. 1107990)
- Plain, unbranded packaging on every order
- Checked by our pharmacy team before dispatch
- Tracked UK delivery, from 4.99
Product information
Desogestrel is a progestogen-only contraceptive pill, often called the mini pill. It contains one hormone and no oestrogen. That makes it a strong choice if you cannot take the combined pill, if you smoke, if you are over 35, or if you are breastfeeding.
Unlike older mini pills, Desogestrel works mainly by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg. It also thickens cervical mucus so sperm can't get through. Taken correctly, it is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
This is a prescription-only medicine. Our clinician will check it's right for you before we dispense it.
How to use
Take one tablet every day at roughly the same time. Swallow it whole with water. You can take it with or without food. Each pack holds 28 tablets and you move straight to the next pack with no break.
If you start on day 1 of your period, you are protected straight away. If you start on days 2 to 5, use condoms for the first two days.
If you are late by less than 12 hours, take it as soon as you remember. You are still protected. If you are more than 12 hours late, take the missed pill when you remember, then carry on as normal. But use condoms for the next two days.
If you vomit or have severe diarrhoea within 3 to 4 hours of taking your tablet, your body may not have absorbed it. Treat it as a missed pill.
Your bleeding pattern may change on Desogestrel. Some women bleed less often or stop bleeding altogether. Others get irregular spotting. This does not mean the pill has stopped working. If bleeding becomes heavy or does not settle, speak with our clinician.
Main Ingredients
Each tablet contains desogestrel 75 micrograms. Desogestrel is a synthetic progestogen that stops your ovaries from releasing an egg and thickens cervical mucus to block sperm.
The other ingredients include lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone, stearic acid, soybean oil, and titanium dioxide. If you have an intolerance to lactose or an allergy to peanuts or soya, tell our clinician before starting.
Side Effects & Cautions
Most women take Desogestrel with no trouble. The most common side effects include irregular bleeding, headaches, mood changes, nausea, acne, breast tenderness, and weight changes. These often settle within the first few months.
Because Desogestrel contains no oestrogen, it carries a lower risk of blood clots than the combined pill. But blood clots can still occur, though rarely. Watch for swelling or pain in your legs, sudden chest pain, or breathlessness. If you notice any of these, get medical help straight away.
Ovarian cysts can develop in some women. These are usually harmless and disappear on their own without treatment.
Who should not take it
You should not take Desogestrel if you have or have ever had a blood clot, if you have severe liver disease, if you have or have had breast cancer, or if you are allergic to desogestrel or any of the other ingredients (including soya or peanut). If you have unexplained vaginal bleeding that a doctor has not checked, hold off until you have been seen.
Can you take it while breastfeeding?
Yes. Desogestrel is safe to use while breastfeeding. It does not affect how much milk you produce or its quality. A tiny amount passes into the milk, but there is no evidence it harms your baby.
Can you drink alcohol?
You can. Alcohol does not stop the pill from working. But if you drink until you throw up within 3 to 4 hours of taking your tablet, the pill may not have been absorbed. Treat it as a missed pill.
Other medicines
Some medicines can stop Desogestrel from working properly. These include certain epilepsy drugs, HIV treatments, tuberculosis medicines, and the herbal remedy St John's Wort. Tell our clinician about every medicine you take.
Does it affect your fertility?
No. Once you stop taking Desogestrel, your fertility returns quickly. You are no longer protected from the day you stop.
Patient Information Leaflet
Desogestrel is not right for everyone, and there are things you should know before you start. Here is all the official information. If anything is not clear, let our clinician know and they can talk it through with you.
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Everything you need to know about ordering from Medicosmetic.
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