Desogestrel
About Desogestrel
Desogestrel is a tablet primarily taken as a daily contraceptive to prevent unplanned pregnancy. As a progestogen-only contraceptive pill, it is designed to protect you from getting pregnant by adjusting your body's natural hormone levels. It is highly effective when used correctly and consistently.
For this medicine to work properly, you must take one tablet every single day at the exact same time without any breaks between packs. You can take this tablet with or without food, but keeping a consistent daily schedule is essential for its contraceptive effectiveness. Establishing a routine, such as taking it alongside a regular daily activity like brushing your teeth, can help ensure you never miss a dose.
While taking Desogestrel, you may experience some common side effects such as irregular bleeding, mood changes, or mild acne. These are generally mild as your body adjusts, but you must consult your doctor immediately if you experience severe symptoms like sudden pelvic pain, severe chest pain, or swelling in one of your legs.
Do not take this if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding, a history of breast cancer, active liver damage, or a history of blood clots. It is vital to discuss your medical history with your healthcare provider before starting this medication to ensure it is safe for you.
Certain medications, such as specific treatments for epilepsy, tuberculosis, or HIV, can make Desogestrel less effective, which may increase your risk of pregnancy. It is also important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding, planning a pregnancy, or taking any other daily medications to understand how they might interact.
Uses of Desogestrel
Medicinal Benefits
Desogestrel is a progestogen-only contraceptive that provides effective pregnancy prevention without containing oestrogen. It is suitable for many women who cannot use combined hormonal contraceptives, including those who are breastfeeding.
- Provides Effective Contraception: Helps prevent pregnancy when taken correctly and consistently every day.
- Suitable for Women Who Cannot Take Oestrogen: Offers an effective contraceptive option for women who cannot use oestrogen-containing contraceptives.
- May Improve Menstrual Symptoms: Many women experience lighter, less frequent, or less painful periods during treatment.
- Suitable During Breastfeeding: Can be used by breastfeeding mothers, as it does not significantly affect breast milk production.
- Supports Reproductive Choice: Provides reliable daily contraception while allowing fertility to return after treatment is stopped.
Directions for Use
- Desogestrel should be taken with a meal, or as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Swallow Desogestrel as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Desogestrel
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Irregular bleeding, spotting, or missed periods
- Mild mood changes or fluctuations
- Acne or minor skin changes
- Breast tenderness or mild headaches
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Severe, sudden pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis (which may indicate a pregnancy outside the womb)
- Signs of a blood clot, such as sudden, painful swelling or warmth in one leg, or unexplained shortness of breath
- Yellowing of your skin or eyes, which can be a sign of liver damage
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as a skin rash, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Keep Track of Your Daily Dose: Check the days marked on the blister pack to ensure you take one tablet every day at the same time.
Inspect the Packaging: Do not use the tablets if the blister pack is torn, damaged, or shows signs of tampering. - Manage Vomiting or Severe Diarrhoea: If you vomit or have severe diarrhoea within 3 to 4 hours of taking a tablet, treat it as a missed dose and follow your doctor's or the product's missed dose instructions.
- Remember, It Does Not Protect Against STIs: Desogestrel helps prevent pregnancy but does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Use condoms if protection against STIs is required.
- Inform Healthcare Providers: Tell your doctor, dentist, or surgeon that you are taking Desogestrel before any medical procedure or investigation.
Drug Interactions
Desogestrel can interact with certain medicines, which may reduce its effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects. Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
- Epilepsy medications: Medicines like carbamazepine or phenytoin can speed up how your liver processes Desogestrel, making it much less effective at preventing pregnancy.
- Tuberculosis treatments: Drugs such as rifampicin can significantly reduce the levels of this medicine in your body.
Herbal remedies: St. John’s Wort can interfere with how this medicine is metabolised, increasing your risk of an unplanned pregnancy.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAlcohol is not known to cause any unpleasant side effects if taken along with Desogestrel. But avoid alcohol consumption while taking Desogestrel.
Pregnancy
unsafeDo not use Desogestrel if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionAlthough it does not cause adverse effects, a small amount of Desogestrel enters milk. Therefore, consult with your doctor before using Desogestrel.
Driving
cautionIt is not known if Desogestrel affects driving ability; hence, in case you experience any visual difficulty, discuss it with your doctor.
Liver
cautionDesogestrel to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionDesogestrel to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeNo clinical data on the efficacy and safety of this treatment are available for children under 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Set a daily alarm: Consistency is critical. Link taking your pill to a daily habit, like eating breakfast or brushing your teeth, to ensure you never miss your daily window.
- Keep a cycle diary: Track your bleeding patterns in a diary or phone app during the first few months to help your doctor evaluate how your body is adjusting.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking while taking hormonal contraceptives can increase your risk of cardiovascular complications, especially if you are over 35 years old.
- Stay hydrated: Drink adequate water throughout the day to support healthy circulation and overall metabolism.
Special Advise
- Take Desogestrel preferably within 72 hours (3 days) of having unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding after taking this medicine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Unintended pregnancy: It is a condition of pregnancy that occurs when no children or no more children are desired. Also, pregnancy is mistimed, such as when the pregnancy occurs earlier than desired. Most unintended pregnancies result from not using contraception or from using contraceptives inconsistently or incorrectly.
FAQs
Desogestrel is used to prevent unintended pregnancy. It works by preventing the release of an egg from the ovary (female reproductive cells) or preventing fertilization of an egg by sperm (male reproductive cells). Desogestrel may also change the lining of the uterus to prevent the development of a pregnancy.
Desogestrel does not affect fertility. If you have been taking the Desogestrel, your chances of getting pregnant within a year are about the same as any other couple.
Yes, Desogestrel can be taken every day. This medicine is prescribed once daily. Please take it at the dose and for the duration as advised by the physician.
When you complete a pack, begin the next pack without having a break. You may have lighter, normal, or no periods while taking Desogestrel. Continue taking Desogestrel without waiting for your next period.
Take this Desogestrel as directed by your doctor. Take your tablet at approximately the same time every day to maintain stable levels of Desogestrel in your body.
Desogestrel contains desogestrel. It is generally considered effective for preventing unintended pregnancy and hormone therapy.
Contraceptive protection may be reduced if more than 36 hours have elapsed between two tablets. If the user is less than 12 hours late in taking any tablet, the missed tablet should be taken as soon as it is remembered, and the next tablet should be taken at the usual time. If she is more than 12 hours late, she should use an additional method of contraception for the next 7 days.
Common side effects of Desogestrel may include headaches, weight gain, nausea, mood changes, irregular menstrual cycle, breast pain, and acne. Most of these side effects of Desogestrel do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Desogestrel provides high contraceptive efficacy.
Yes, this medicine is generally safe to take while breastfeeding as it does not affect the production or quality of breast milk. Talk to your doctor to confirm the best time to start taking it postpartum.
If you vomit within 3 to 4 hours of taking your tablet, the active ingredients may not have been fully absorbed. Treat this as a missed pill, take another tablet, and use backup contraception like condoms for the next 7 days. Talk to your doctor if vomiting continues.
Some people find that their periods become lighter, irregular, or stop altogether while taking this medicine. This is a common effect of progestogen-only pills and is generally not harmful. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns or suspect pregnancy.
Yes, if you have missed pills and had unprotected sex, you may need emergency contraception. However, certain morning-after pills can interact with your daily pill, so it is essential to talk to your doctor or pharmacist to choose the right type.
No, this medicine is only designed to prevent pregnancy. To protect yourself against STIs, you should always use a barrier method such as a condom. Talk to your doctor about comprehensive sexual health practices.
Clinical studies show that significant weight gain is not a direct or common side effect for most people taking this medication, though mild fluid retention can occasionally occur. Talk to your doctor if you notice unexpected changes in your weight.
You can usually switch directly from your combined pill without taking a pill-free break. However, the exact starting day depends on your previous pill brand, so you should always talk to your doctor or pharmacist to ensure continuous protection.
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