Gedarel

Gedarel is a combined contraceptive pill that contains the active ingredients ethinylestradiol and desogestrel.

It is available in two separate dosages:

• 20 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 150 micrograms of desogestrel
• 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 150 micrograms of desogestrel

The only difference is the amount of ethinylestradiol each pill contains. Ethinylestradiol is a synthetic form of estrogen.

The lower dosage of 20mcg version produces fewer side effects (though this is not the case for all users). In particular, if you suffer from nausea or vomiting when taking a standard 30mcg pill, you should consider the 20mcg. However, higher failure rates have also been recorded with this pill.

Both pills are highly effective contraceptives, working up to 99% of the time.

The lower dosage is also normally recommended for older women.

Due to the hormonal nature of the pill, different ingredients affect everyone differently. Some women may find they respond better to Gedarel 30 and others to Gedarel 20. If you are unsure which is best for you, you should consult your doctor.

Both versions of Gedarel work in the same way. As hormonal contraceptives, they contain a small amount of synthetic oestrogen and progestogen.

These stop your body from naturally following a hormonal cycle.

Whilst taking the pill:

• you will no longer ovulate,
• your cervical muscles will change so that sperm cannot make find an egg as easily,
• and the lining of the womb will become thinner so that a fertilized egg cannot implant.

Please note, oral contraceptives will not protect you against STIs - only condoms will do this.

Always consult the patient information leaflet for full instructions. You will find this to the right of this page and included with your order.

Every pack of Gedarel will have 21 coated tablets. These will be in a calendar strip, which will make it easier to remember to take them.

You should take one tablet for 21 days straight, followed by a seven-day break. During the seven-day break, you should expect some bleeding.

If you do not experience any bleeding during the seven days, this does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. However, if you do not experience any bleeding two times in a row, you should contact your doctor. Do not start the next pack until you know that you are not pregnant.

Take the next tablet on the eighth day (following the seven tablet-free days) – even if bleeding has not yet stopped.

You should take tablets at around the same time each day. Swallow each tablet whole with water. Do not break, split or crush tablets.

If you miss a tablet, take it as soon as you remember (preferably within 12 hours of forgetting). You should use additional protection if you forget to take a tablet.

Vomit or diarrhoea

If you vomit within 3-4 hours of taking a tablet or you have severe diarrhoea, there is a risk that the tablet will not have desired effects. You should treat this the same as if you forget a tablet.

You should immediately take another tablet from the reserve strip. Try to take it within 12 hours of vomiting or diarrhoea.

You should also be cautious that you may not be protected for these 12 hours. You should use additional protection.

All combined pills share similar side effects. This is because they share similar active ingredients. The most commonly occurring include:

• depression
• altered mood
• anxiety
• headache
• dizziness
• nausea
• abdominal pain
• acne
• breast tenderness
• premenstrual syndrome
• weight gain

If you take the 20mcg version, you may find you experience more breakthrough bleeding. If this becomes an issue, you should stop treatment and visit your doctor for an alternative.

You should report any new side effects to your doctor.

Blood clots

Please note, the combined pill increases the risk of blood clots - they can be very serious. Symptoms include cramping and pain in the limbs, breathlessness, pain in the chest and coughing blood. If you suspect you have a blood clot, seek immediate medical assistance.

You should consult with your doctor and seek alternative contraception if any of the following apply to you:

• deep vein thrombosis
• blood clots or a blood clotting disorder
• you have an operation planned
• heart conditions, heart attack or stroke
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• diabetes
• liver conditions
• migraines with aura
• breast cancer or a family history of breast cancer
• unexplained vaginal bleeding
• you are pregnant or suspect you are pregnant
• endometrial hyperplasia
• allergies to any of the pill’s ingredients

All prescription medication has the potential to interact negatively with certain medications. You should consider alternative contraception if you are taking treatments for the following conditions:

• epilepsy
• tuberculosis
• HIV
• hepatitis C treatments
• fungal infections

You should also avoid certain herbal remedies, such as St John’s-wort.

You can buy Gedarel online. First, select the dosage that best suits you. You should already have been prescribed by your doctor. It is a medical requirement that you are monitored when first starting a hormonal contraceptive.

You will also have to complete our online consultation - this is quick and easy to fill out.

If our doctors approve of your order, it will be dispatched the next working day. The entire process should take no longer than 24 hours.