Desogestrel
About Desogestrel
Desogestrel is used to prevent unintended pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurred either unwanted, when no children or no more children were desired.
Desogestrel contains desogestrel, which helps prevent pregnancy. It stops the release of an egg and reduces the chance of fertilisation. It also changes the uterine lining to prevent pregnancy from developing. This provides effective and reliable birth control when used as directed.
Take Desogestrel as prescribed by your doctor. You may experience headaches, weight gain, nausea, mood changes, irregular menstrual cycle, blurred vision, breast pain, and acne. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention. However, talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Try not to stop taking this medicine on your own. Immediately contact your doctor if you are pregnant and breastfeeding. Make sure that before taking this medicine, you inform your doctor if you have, or have had, breast cancer, unusual bleeding in the vagina, liver disease, or any other health problems.
Uses of Desogestrel
Medicinal Benefits
- Helps prevent unintended pregnancy when taken as advised.
- Provides effective and dependable birth control.
- Supports safe and controlled family planning.
- Suitable for women who cannot use estrogen-containing contraceptives.
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
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Nausea
- Mood changes
- Blurred vision
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Breast pain
- Acne.
Medicines Containing this Salt
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Drug Warnings
- If you are taking any other medicine or are allergic to any medicine, please inform your doctor.
- Make sure that before taking this medicine, you inform your doctor if you have, or have had, breast cancer, unusual bleeding in the vagina, liver disease, or any other health problems.
- If you have an allergy to peanuts and soya, talk with your doctor.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol to prevent any unpleasant side effects.
- Please inform your doctor if you have diabetes, epilepsy, or high blood pressure.
- Try not to stop taking this medicine on your own.
- Using Desogestrel may increase the risk of blood clots.
- If you have or have had chloasma (yellowish-brown pigmentation patches on the skin, especially on the skin of the face), prevent too much contact with the sun or ultraviolet radiation.
- It is essential to check your breasts frequently, and you should speak to your doctor as soon as possible if you feel any swelling in your breasts.
- Immediately contact your doctor if you are pregnant and breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as there may be an interaction.
- Antibiotic medicines (Rifabutin, Rifampicin)
• Potential effect: May reduce the blood levels of Desogestrel and decrease its effectiveness. - Immunity-lowering medicine (Mycophenolic acid)
• Potential effect: May decrease the level and therapeutic action of Desogestrel. - Pulmonary blood pressure medicine (Bosentan)
• Potential effect: May lower the blood levels of Desogestrel and reduce its effectiveness. - Anticancer medicine (Thalidomide)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of blood clots when used together. - Anti-seizure medicine (Carbamazepine)
• Potential effect: May reduce the effectiveness of Desogestrel by lowering its blood levels.
Drug-Food Interaction:
- Grapefruit and Grapefruit juice: Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking Desogestrel, as they may increase the medicine’s level in the blood and raise the risk of side effects.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have a history of the following conditions before taking Desogestrel.
- Bleeding problem
- Liver or kidney disease
- Vaginal bleeding
- High blood pressure
- Increase calcium in breast cancer
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
Diet:
- Eat a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.
- Include omega-3–rich foods and use healthy oils like olive, soybean, canola, or coconut oil.
Habits:
- Avoid smoking and alcohol to reduce the risk of complications.
Activity and Stress:
- Avoid heavy physical exercise, such as running, if it increases bleeding.
- Manage stress through relaxation techniques.
Monitoring:
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly and contact your doctor if there are abnormal changes.
- Take a pregnancy test if periods are missed or as advised by your doctor.
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.
If you vomit within 3-4 hours of taking a Desogestrel tablet, it is considered a missed dose. Therefore, you should take another dose.
Swallow it as a whole with water; do not crush, break or chew it. It's important to follow the instructions for this medicine very carefully.
You can start with a new pack of Desogestrel the next day if directed by the physician.
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.
