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Gedarel 20/150
Gedarel 20/150 is a combined contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. Suitable for women who require birth control. It contains 20 micrograms of ethinylestradiol (an oestrogen) and 150 micrograms of desogestrel (a progestogen). It also contains lactose.
- Daily combined contraceptive pill
It’s important to note that this form of contraception will not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This form of contraceptive is designed to prevent pregnancy. When the combined pill is taken properly, it is 99% effective.
A lot of contraceptive pills need to be taken for 21 days with a 7-day break. During this break, many women experience a breakthrough bleed, which is similar to a normal period. This is nothing to be alarmed about and is a normal part of the contraceptive pill cycle. However, there are other forms of contraceptive pills that need to be taken for 28 days without a pause. These types of pills can stop regular menstrual cycles from occurring, which means they could make your periods lighter or stop together.
You should measure your weight and blood pressure before you start taking any form of the combined pill. These measurements are important because they can affect which pill or method of contraception you should be using. During your consultation, you will also need to answer questions regarding your family health history, such as breast cancer, heart attacks, or strokes. You will also need to answer questions regarding your own general health, like if you smoke or experience regular migraines.
When using any form of medication, there are risks of developing unwanted side effects. Most side effects are minimal and will go away over time. However, there are some rare side effects that can be more serious and should be reported to your doctor straight away. It’s important to consider these side effects and potential risks before commencing Gedarel 20 /150.
Common side effects include:
- Light periods or spotting in the first few months
- Headaches or migraines
- Changes in moods or mood swings
- Weight fluctuations
- Nausea
- Sore breast tissue
- Changes in sex drive
- Bloating
There are more serious side effects that can occur when taking the contraceptive pill. Should you notice any of these conditions, you should seek medical attention straight away.
- Changes to the breast such as discolouration around the nipple or lumps
- Swelling in the lower leg that is inflamed and hot to the touch
- Signs of a blood clot in the lung, such as sudden unexplained breathlessness or rapid breathing, a sudden cough that may bring up blood, or sharp chest pain that may get worse when you breathe deeply
- Signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, discomfort, pressure or heaviness, or discomfort spreading to the back, jaw, throat, arm or stomach
- Signs of a stroke, such as sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body), sudden confusion or trouble speaking, or a sudden, severe headache
- Discomfort and bleeding after sex
Like all combined pills, Gedarel 20/150 slightly increases your risk of a blood clot. Out of 10,000 women who are not using a combined pill and are not pregnant, about 2 will develop a blood clot in a year. This compares with about 5-7 in 10,000 women using a combined pill containing levonorgestrel, and about 9-12 in 10,000 women using a pill containing desogestrel, such as Gedarel 20/150. Seek urgent medical help if you notice any signs of a blood clot.
What should I do if I miss a dose of the combined pill?
It’s important to keep a regular pattern when taking the combined pill, as you need to take it every day in order for it to be most effective. However, if you do miss a dose or forget to take Gedarel 20 /150 one day, then you should take it as soon as you remember. If you are less than 12 hours late, you will still be protected from pregnancy - keep taking your pills at the usual time, even if this means taking two in one day. If you are more than 12 hours late, or you have missed more than one pill, take the most recently missed pill as soon as you remember and use extra contraception, such as condoms, for the next 7 days. If there are fewer than 7 pills left in your strip, start the next strip straight away without the usual 7-day break. If you have missed pills in the first week of a strip and had sex in that week, speak to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible, as you may need emergency contraception.
When should I start taking the combined pill?
Ideally, you should start taking this contraceptive pill on the first day of your period, as you will then be protected from pregnancy immediately. If you begin Gedarel 20 /150 on any other day of your cycle, then you should use alternative methods of contraception like condoms for the first 7 days to ensure you are protected.
Can I use Gedarel 20 /150 when breastfeeding?
Gedarel 20/150 is not recommended while you are breastfeeding, as combined pills may reduce the amount of breast milk. Speak to a member of the Pharmacy Online team about other options, such as a progestogen-only pill. If you are not breastfeeding, you can start Gedarel 20/150 21 days after giving birth. If you start later than this, use extra contraception, such as condoms, for the first 7 days.
Can Gedarel 20 /150 cause breast cancer?
There have been some links between taking contraceptive pills and an increased risk of developing breast cancer. It’s important to consult your doctor or Pharmacy Online team if you have a family history of breast cancer before starting the pill, who will be able to discuss alternative options that are more suitable for you.
Does Gedarel 20 /150 cause weight gain?
Some forms of hormonal contraception can cause weight gain, however, this can differ from person to person. For those using Gedarel 20 /150, it’s important to reduce potential weight gain through regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Will Gedarel 20 /150 affect my fertility?
Once you stop taking Gedarel 20 /150, your fertility levels should return to normal levels.
Who can use Gedarel 20/150 contraceptive pill?
Gedarel 20/150 is not suitable for everyone. You should not take it if you have, or have ever had, a blood clot (for example in the leg or lung), a heart attack, stroke or mini-stroke (TIA), or a condition that makes blood clots more likely. You also should not take it if you have migraines with aura, severe liver disease or a liver tumour, or a cancer that may be affected by sex hormones, such as breast cancer. Pills containing desogestrel, such as Gedarel 20/150, may carry up to twice the risk of a blood clot of pills containing levonorgestrel. If you have a family history of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes or breast cancer, tell us during your consultation so we can check whether this pill is right for you.
Leaflets
Before taking any medicines, regardless of whether they are over-the-counter or prescription-only, it is essential always to read the patient information leaflet.
