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:

o Changes to menstrual cycle, such as irregular periods, spotting (also known as breakthrough bleeding) or no periods at all

o Mood changes (such as low mood)

o Decreased sexual drive

o Headaches

o Nausea

o Acne

o Breast pain and tenderness

o 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.

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.

Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1698.pdf

NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/the-pill-progestogen-only/