Gedarel

Gedarel is a combined contraceptive pill containing the active ingredients ethinylestradiol and desogestrel. There are two dosage variants of Gedarel - one variant contains 20 mcg of ethinylestradiol and 150 mcg of desogestrel (known as Gedarel 20/150), and the other variant contains 30 mcg of ethinylestradiol and 150 mcg of desogestrel (known as Gedarel 30/150).

The active ingredients in Gedarel work together to prevent pregnancy in three ways. Firstly, the desogestrel and ethinylestradiol in Gedarel stop the release of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), both of which are essential for the maturation of an egg and its release from the ovaries.

Secondly, the desogestrel in Gedarel thickens the cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to fertilise the egg, thereby preventing pregnancy.

Finally, the desogestrel maintains a low level of progestogen, causing the uterine lining to thin and have fewer functional glands. This reduces the production of progesterone receptors. As a result, the environment becomes unsuitable for the implantation of a fertilised egg, preventing pregnancy.

Swallow one Gedarel tablet whole with water once per day for 21 days, following the arrows on the strip of tablets to track when to take each pill. Then, have a 7-day break from taking Gedarel, during which time you may experience withdrawal bleeding. Start the next strip after this 7-day break, regardless of whether you are still experiencing withdrawal bleeding. It is recommended to take Gedarel at the same time each day for maximum effectiveness and reduced risk of forgetting to take a dose.

Please note both Gedarel 20/150 and Gedarel 30/150 are taken in the same way.

If taken between days 1 and 5 of the menstrual cycle, Gedarel is immediately effective in preventing pregnancy. If taken at any other point in the menstrual cycle, Gedarel can take up to 7 days to take effect, during which time barrier contraceptives, such as condoms, should be used.

If taken correctly as instructed in the patient information leaflet, Gedarel is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Gedarel 20/150 and Gedarel 30/150 differ in terms of the dosage of ethinylestradiol in each treatment. Gedarel 20/150 contains 20 micrograms, whereas Gedarel 30/150 contains 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol. There is no evidence to suggest one variant is more effective than the other, but women may choose one based on which one they will experience fewer side effects with.

Regarding side effects, both variants of Gedarel have very similar side effect profiles. However, research shows that Gedarel 20/150 has less impact on components in the blood that contribute to haemostasis, the process that stops bleeding and helps maintain the integrity of the circulatory system. This means it may be more suitable for women with blood clotting conditions.

On the other hand, studies reveal that a lower dose of ethinylestradiol may result in less favourable bleeding patterns compared to a higher dosage. Women who want to monitor and regulate menstrual bleeding may therefore decide to opt for Gedarel 30/150.

Before deciding which variant to take, please consult a healthcare professional to determine suitability.

You shouldn’t take Gedarel if any of the following apply to you:

• You have or have had a blood clot in a blood vessel
• You need to undergo surgery or be off your feet for a prolonged period of time
• You have had a heart attack or stroke
• You have severe diabetes
• You have high blood pressure
• You have a very high level of fat (cholesterol or triglycerides) in the blood
• You have or have had severe migraines (migraines with aura)
• You have or have had liver disease or poor liver function
• You have breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer
• You are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant
• You have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• You are allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the ingredients in Gedarel, which can be found in the patient information leaflet

If you forget to take a Gedarel pill and it has been less than 12 hours since when you were supposed to take it, take the missed pill as soon as you remember. Continue taking the remaining pills at your usual time each day. The contraceptive effectiveness of Gedarel is not significantly reduced if you take the missed pill within this 12-hour window.

If you forget to take a Gedarel pill and 12 or more hours have passed since the missed dose, or if you have missed multiple pills, take the missed pill immediately. Continue with the rest of the pack as scheduled, which might mean taking two pills in one day.

In this scenario, the efficacy of Gedarel may be compromised, making it important to use barrier contraceptives, such as condoms, for 7 days following the missed dose to prevent pregnancy.

If you miss a pill in the last week of your pack and have fewer than 7 pills left, complete the pack and start a new one right away without a break. If there are more than 7 pills left, proceed as usual but ensure you use barrier contraceptives, such as condoms, for the following 7 days.

Marvelon and Gedarel differ in terms of their brand names and manufacturers. Additionally, Marvelon is only available in one variant containing 30 mcg of ethinylestradiol and 150 mcg of desogestrel, whereas Gedarel is available in two variants, one containing 20 mcg of ethinylestradiol and 150 mcg of desogestrel (Gedarel 20/150), and another containing 30 mcg of ethinylestradiol and 150 mcg of desogestrel (Gedarel 30/150).

Gedarel and Mercilon are the same in terms of the active ingredients (ethinylestradiol and desogestrel). However, Mercilon is only available in one variant containing 20 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 150 mcg of desogestrel, whereas Gedarel is available in two variants, both of which contain 150 mcg of desogestrel along with either 20 micrograms of ethinylestradiol (Gedarel 20/150) or 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol (Gedarel 30/150).

Gedarel can cause weight gain in some individuals and is reported as a common side effect due to its effects on fluid retention and changes in appetite. However, whether an individual experiences weight gain depends on their body’s response to taking Gedarel.

Alternative oral contraceptive pills to Gedarel include:

• Combined contraceptive pills containing ethinylestradiol and drospirenone (such as Yasmin or Lucette)
• Combined contraceptive pills containing levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol, such as Rigevidon, Levest, and Microgynon
• Progestogen-only pills (also known as POPs or mini-pills), such as Norgeston (which contains levonorgestrel), Noriday 350 mcg (which contains norethisterone), or Lovima, Cerelle, and Cerazette (which contain desogestrel)

You can buy Gedarel quickly and discreetly on the Pharmica website after completing a brief online consultation to ensure eligibility.