Gedarel

Gedarel is a combined oral contraceptive pill that contains artificial oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progesterone (desogestrel). Together, these hormones work to stop you from getting pregnant.

Gedarel is available in 2 doses:

• 30/150, which contains 30 micrograms (mcg) of ethinylestradiol and 150mcg of desogestrel
• 20/150, a low-dose oestrogen pill containing only 20mcg of ethinylestradiol, which is more suitable if there’s a higher chance you might get side effects

Gedarel, like all combined contraceptive pills, works to prevent pregnancy in 3 ways.

1. Stops an egg from being released by the ovaries (ovulation).
2. Thickens the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to reach an egg.
3. Thins the womb lining so a fertilised egg cannot implant itself there.

How long does Gedarel take to work?

How quickly Gedarel works depends on where you are in your menstrual cycle when you start taking it.

If you start Gedarel on days 1 to 5 of your period, you will be immediately protected against pregnancy. If you take it after this, you will need to use an additional method of contraception, like condoms, for 7 days when you have sex.

How effective is Gedarel?

Like all contraceptive pills, including the mini-pill, Gedarel is more than 99% effective at stopping you from getting pregnant if it’s taken correctly. However, when typical use is considered, such as forgetting to take the pill, vomiting, or having diarrhoea, it’s closer to being 91% effective.

One study looking at the effectiveness of a combined ethinylestradiol and desogestrel pill (the same ingredients in Gedarel) reported 1 pregnancy in 274 users, which was thought to be caused by user error. Participants in the study reported cycle control as excellent, with irregular bleeding and minor side effects being low. An improvement in acne was also noted.

Gedarel is supplied in strips of 21 pills. You should swallow 1 pill every day, at around the same time, until you have finished the strip. If needed, you can take Gedarel with water. Each pill is marked with the day of the week it should be taken on to help you keep track. You’ll then take a 7-day break, which can cause a withdrawal bleed, similar to a natural period.

How to take Gedarel:

1. Choose a pill that is marked with the correct day of the week – for example, if it’s a Sunday, take a pill marked ‘Sun’.
2. Swallow 1 whole pill at the same time each day for 21 days. You can take it at any time of day, as long as it is around the same time each day, so choose a time that is convenient for you.
3. Follow the direction of the arrows printed on the strip until you have taken all 21 pills.
4. When the strip is finished, usually after 21 days, take a 7-day break, during which you will not take any pills. You should have a withdrawal bleed during this time, which will be similar to a period.
5. On the 8th day after you took your last Gedarel pill, start a new strip, even if you are still bleeding.

If you take Gedarel exactly as prescribed, you should always start the new strip on the same day of the week and have a withdrawal bleed every 4th week.

You can also take the combined pill with fewer or no breaks between packets. Speak to your doctor if you think you’d benefit from taking Gedarel this way, or want to try it. This means you’ll have fewer or no breakthrough bleeds, and this does not affect the contraceptive effectiveness.

When to take Gedarel for the first time

The ideal time to start taking Gedarel is on days 1 to 5 of your period. If you start the pill during this time, you will be immediately protected against pregnancy. If you start it at any other time during your cycle, you will need to use additional contraception, like condoms, for 7 days.

If you forget to take the Gedarel pill and it is:

Less than 12 hours late

Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 pills in the same day. Then, continue taking your scheduled pills as usual. Your protection against pregnancy will not be reduced.

More than 12 hours late

You may not be protected against pregnancy. The more tablets you have missed, the higher the chance you could get pregnant. The table explains what to do in each case:

No serious, harmful effects have been reported by people who have taken too many Gedarel tablets. However, you may feel or be sick. If you have taken too many Gedarel tablets and get side effects, contact your doctor or pharmacist for more advice.

How can I come off Gedarel?

You can stop taking Gedarel whenever you want to, but if you do not want to get pregnant, you should discuss alternative types of contraception.

Gedarel is available in 2 different dosages, a standard and a low-dose.

Gedarel 30/150

Each pill contains 30mcg of ethinylestradiol and 150mcg of desogestrel. This is also known as a standard dose.

Gedarel 20/150

Known as a low-dose pill because it contains 20mcg of ethinylestradiol (oestrogen), this Gedarel pill may be better for you if you are sensitive to the effects of oestrogen or would rather take less oestrogen.

Gedarel can cause side effects, but not everyone will experience them.

Very common side effects include:

• irregular bleeding

Common side effects include:

• depression
• mood changes
• headache
• dizziness
• nervousness
• feeling sick
• abdominal pain
• acne
• tender breasts
• breast pain
• absent periods
• painful periods
• pre-menstrual syndrome
• weight gain

Uncommon side effects include:

• fluid retention
• low sex drive
• migraine
• impaired hearing
• high blood pressure
• diarrhoea
• being sick
• rash
• breast enlargement

Rare side effects include:

• hypersensitivity
• increased sex drive
• contact lens irritation
• skin disorders
• vaginal discharge
• breast discharge
• weight loss

You can find a full list of side effects in the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.

How long do Gedarel side effects last

Most mild Gedarel side effects should go away on their own within 3 months of starting the pill as your body gets used to the hormonal changes taking place. Some people get side effects for a longer or shorter amount of time.

What to do if you get Gedarel side effects

You manage most mild side effects at home by:

• taking over-the-counter painkillers to manage symptoms such as headaches and aches, and pains
• staying hydrated if you are feeling or being sick
• getting plenty of rest until the effects pass

If your side effects are difficult to manage or last for longer than 3 months, contact your doctor for advice. They may recommend an alternative contraceptive method that may cause fewer side effects, as your body may react better to a different type of progesterone or oestrogen.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should call 999 straight away.

Severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as:

• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• hives

Signs of a blood clot, such as:

• sudden chest pain
• difficulty breathing
• swelling, redness, or pain in a leg
• sudden loss of vision
• severe stomach pain

Gedarel may not be suitable for everyone. Certain conditions or medications can interact with Gedarel, making it less effective or potentially unsafe.

Do not use Gedarel if you:

• are allergic to any of its ingredients
• have or have ever had a blood clot in a blood vessel in your legs, lungs, or other organs
• have a blood clotting disorder
• need an operation or are going to be off your feet for a while
• have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• have angina pectoris or have ever had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• have a condition that increases the chance of a blood clot in the arteries (like severe diabetes with blood vessel damage, very high blood pressure, high blood fat levels, or homocysteinaemia)
• have ever had a migraine with aura
• have ever had an inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis)
• have ever had liver disease and your liver function is still not normal
• have or have ever had a liver tumour
• have had or might have breast cancer or cancer of the genital organs
• have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• are pregnant or think you might be
• have endometrial hyperplasia

Gedarel and other medications

Before taking Gedarel, it’s important that you tell your doctor about any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications you are taking or plan to take.

Do not take Gedarel if you have hepatitis C and are taking any medications that contain:

• ombitasvir
• paritaprevir
• ritonavir
• dasabuvir
• glecaprevir
• pibrentasvir
• sofosbuvir
• velpatasvir
• voxilaprevir

Some medications can make Gedarel less effective, such as St John’s wort and those given to treat:

• epilepsy
• tuberculosis
• HIV
• hepatitis C
• other infections
• increased blood pressure in the lungs

You can get a Gedarel prescription online from a regulated doctor service, or you may be able to get Gedarel, or a generic version, on the NHS.

Can I buy Gedarel online?

Yes, you can request Gedarel quickly and discreetly online from Asda Online Doctor by:

1. Completing a short online health assessment for one of our doctors to review.
2. Placing your order request.
3. If approved, your order will be dispatched and sent to your home address in discreet packaging, or you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after a doctor’s approval.
4. If your order is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Getting Gedarel through our service makes it quick and convenient to get contraception, without needing a face-to-face appointment. You can manage your prescription online and order repeat prescriptions easily. We can also provide advice and support if you’re not sure which contraceptive pill you want to take, or if you want to switch to or from Gedarel.

Can I buy Gedarel over the counter?

No, Gedarel is a prescription-only medication, which means you must have a doctor’s approval to obtain it.

Can I get Gedarel on the NHS?

Yes, Gedarel may be available on the NHS, but you will need to make an appointment with a GP so that they can assess if it is safe for you to take it.

Gedarel is not the only contraceptive pill available. There are also several alternative methods available, including non-hormonal types, which may be more suitable if you would prefer not to take artificial hormones or are sensitive to them.

Combined pill alternatives

Some of the alternative combined pills available are:

• Marvelon – contains the same active ingredients as Gedarel 30/150 in the same dose
• Mercilon – an alternative to Gedarel 20/150, as it also contains 20mcg of ethinylestradiol and 150mcg desogestrel
• Microgynon 30 – one of the most popular combined pills available, which works in the same way as Gedarel with the same type of oestrogen, but contains an alternative synthetic progesterone called levonorgestrel
• Yasmin – another popular alternative that contains the oestrogen ethinylestradiol, like Gedarel, but a different type of progesterone called drospirenone

Mini pill

If the combined pill is not right for you or you would prefer not to take oestrogen, the progesterone-only pill may be a better option for you. At Asda Online Doctor, we can provide:

• Cerelle, which contains 75mcg of desogestrel, the same artificial progesterone as Gedarel
• Cerazette, an alternative brand to Cerelle, which contains exactly the same active ingredients, in the same dose, and works in the same way
• Noriday, which contains 350mcg of norethisterone
• Norgeston, a mini pill that contains the artificial hormone levonorgestrel

Non-hormonal options

If hormonal options like the combined or mini pill are not for you, there are several non-hormonal contraceptives available, including:

• male and female condoms
• diaphragms or cervical caps
• copper intrauterine device (IUD), also known as the copper coil
• spermicide – should be used with diaphragms or caps for maximum effectiveness

For more guidance on contraceptives and which one might be best for you, check out our guide.