Mercilon

Mercilon is a third-generation combined oral contraceptive containing two female synthetic hormones: oestrogen and progesterone. It contains 20mcg of ethinylestradiol and 150mcg of desogestrel. Mercilon contraceptive pill is only available as a prescription-only medicine, the lower dose of oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) makes it more suitable for some women as it has a lower chance of causing side effects.

Mercilon contains the same hormones and same strength as Gederel 20/150.

Oestrogen and progesterone stop you from getting pregnant in three ways.

1. Preventing an egg from being released from the ovaries.
2. Making the fluid in your cervix thicker, minimising the penetration of sperm.
3. Preventing the lining of your womb from thickening enough to allow an egg to grow in it.

Combined oral contraceptives provide one of the most reliable methods of contraception if used correctly. Other benefits include making your periods regular, lighter, and less painful, and it may help with pre-menstrual symptoms such as flushing and mood changes.

Can you get Mercilon over the counter?

No, you cannot get Mercilon over the counter, it is a prescription-only medication that can be purchased from The Family Chemist privately or by visiting your doctor.

Mercilon can be taken at any point in your menstrual cycle. However, you may need to take additional contraceptive methods.

If you start taking Mercilon on the 1^st to 5^th day of your menstrual cycle, you will be protected from pregnancy straight away. If you start the pill after the 5^th day of your cycle, you will need additional contraception like condoms until you have taken the pill for seven days.

Mercilon is a 21-day pill. You take one daily for 21 days, followed by a seven-day pill-free break. The box contains three strips of 21 tablets. Each tablet is marked with the day of the week. During the 7-day break, you will have a ‘withdrawal’ bleed like your period. You start your new strip after 7 days even if you are still bleeding. You are protected from pregnancy when taking the pills and during your 7-day pill-free break.

If you are taking a 21-day Pill: start Mercilon the next day after the end of the previous strip. You will have contraceptive protection with your first pill. You will not have a bleed until after your first strip of Mercilon.

If you are taking a 28-day Pill: start taking Mercilon the day after your last active pill (after 21 days). You will have contraceptive protection with your first pill. You will not have a bleed until after your first strip of Mercilon.

Or, if you are taking a progestogen-only Pill (POP or ‘mini Pill’): start Mercilon on the first day of bleeding, even if you have already taken the progestogen-only Pill for that day. You will have contraceptive coverage straight away.

Contraception after having a baby. If you have just had a baby, your doctor may advise you that Mercilon should be started 21 days after delivery, provided that you are fully mobile. You do not have to wait for a period. You will need to use another method of contraception, such as a condom, until you start Marvelon and for the first seven days of pill taking.

Many patients take Mercilon free of side effects however, like all medicines, some people may experience some side effects. The severity can vary from person to person.

Side effects such as bleeding between periods or feeling nausea are more common in the first three months. However, they should soon disappear. If the side effects become intolerable, worsen, or continue beyond three months, you should contact your doctor or The Family Chemist clinician.

A rare side effect (1 in 10 in every 10,000 users) can occur in women taking Mercilon: a harmful blood clot in a vein or artery. Seek urgent medical attention if you notice any swelling of one leg, pain or tenderness, increased warmth in the affected leg, change in colour of the skin on the leg, sudden unexplained breathlessness or rapid breathing, sharp chest pain, severe lightheadedness, rapid or irregular heartbeat or severe pain in your stomach. The patient information leaflet contains more information regarding recognising a blood clot.

Common side effects of Mercilon include:

• feeling sick
• stomach-ache
• putting on weight
• headaches
• depressive moods or mood swings
• sore or painful breasts

The patient information leaflet contains a full list of side effects.

Most patients can take Mercilon. However, there may be occasions where an alternative pill may suit you better. You must fill in the consultation form accurately so the clinician can make sure your treatment is safe for you.

Do not use Mercilon:

• If you have (or have ever had) a blood clot in a blood vessel of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT), your lungs (pulmonary embolus, PE) or other organs.
• If you know, you have a disorder affecting your blood clotting – for instance, protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, antithrombin-III deficiency, Factor V Leiden or antiphospholipid antibodies.
• If you need an operation or are off your feet for a long time.
• If you have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• If you have (or have ever had) angina pectoris (a condition that causes severe chest pain and maybe a first sign of a heart attack) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA – temporary stroke symptoms)
• If you have any of the following diseases that may increase your risk of a clot in the arteries: severe diabetes with blood vessel damage, very high blood pressure, a very high level of fat in the blood (cholesterol or triglycerides) – a condition known as hyperhomocysteinaemia.
• If you have (or have ever had) a type of migraine called ‘migraine with aura.’
• If you have or have ever had breast cancer
• If you have ever had a severe liver disease, and your doctor has told you that your liver function test results are not yet back to normal
• If you have ever had liver tumours
• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to any ingredients in Marvelon
• Do not use Mercilon if you have hepatitis C and are taking medicinal products containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir.
• If you have ever had problems with your heart, circulation or blood clotting.
• If you have diabetes
• If you have ever had kidney or liver problems.
• If you have ever had severe depression.
• If you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• If you have systemic lupus erythematosus.
• If you have sickle cell anaemia.

Progesterone only pill may be more suitable for you if you smoke and are 35 or older, stopped smoking less than a year ago and are 35 or older, are overweight or breastfeeding.