Description
Marvelon is a combined oral contraceptive pill (‘the Pill’). You take it to prevent pregnancy.
This low-dose contraceptive contains two types of female sex hormones, oestrogen and
progestogen. These hormones prevent an egg being released from your ovaries so you can’t get
pregnant. Marvelon also makes the fluid (mucus) in your cervix thicker which makes it more
difficult for sperm to enter the womb.
Marvelon is a 21-day pill – you take one each day for 21 days, followed by 7 days when you take no pills.
The benefits of taking the Pill include:
• it is one of the most reliable reversible methods of contraception if used correctly
• it doesn’t interrupt sex
• it usually makes your periods regular, lighter and less painful
• it may help with pre-menstrual symptoms.
Marvelon will not protect you against sexually transmitted infections, such as Chlamydia or HIV.
Only condoms can help to do this.
Marvelon needs to be taken as directed to prevent pregnancy.
Uses / Instructions
Take Marvelon every day for 21 days then have seven pill-free days
Repeat this process
Warnings
• 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 ever had migraines.
• If you have had problems while pregnant or while using the pill, like:
– itching of the whole body (pruritus),
– jaundice which was not caused by infection,
– gall stones,
– systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),
– a blister-like rash, called herpes gestationis,
– a hearing problem called otosclerosis,
– other rare conditions called porphyria and hereditary angioedema.
• If you have brown patches on your face or body (chloasma) – if so avoid too much
exposure to the sun or ultraviolet light.
• If you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (chronic inflammatory bowel disease).
• If you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE – a disease affecting your natural defence system).
• If you have haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS – a disorder of blood clotting causing
failure of the kidneys).
• If you have sickle cell anaemia (an inherited disease of the red blood cells).
• If you have elevated levels of fat in the blood (hypertriglyceridaemia) or a positive family history for this condition. Hypertriglyceridaemia has been associated with an increased risk of developing pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
• If you need an operation, or you are off your feet for a long time.
• If you have just given birth you are at an increased risk of blood clots. You should ask
your doctor how soon after delivery you can start taking Marvelon.
• If you have an inflammation in the veins under the skin (superficial thrombophlebitis).
• If you have varicose veins.
Side Effects
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
• Headache;
• Putting on weight;
• Breast problems, such as painful or tender breasts;
• Depression or mood changes;
• Stomach problems, such as nausea; abdominal pain;
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
• Migraine (see a doctor as soon as possible if this is your first migraine or it’s worse than usual, or if the headache is severe, unusual or long lasting);
• Fluid retention (swollen hands, ankles or feet – a sign of fluid retention);
• Decreased sexual desire;
• Vomiting;
• Diarrhoea;
• Skin problems, such as rash or hives;
• Breast enlargement;
See patient information leaflet for more details.
Ingredients
The active substances are desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. Each tablet contains: 150 micrograms of the progestogen desogestrel, and 30 micrograms of the oestrogen ethinyl estradiol.
The other ingredients are:
dl-alpha-tocopherol, potato starch, povidone, stearic acid, aerosol and lactose.
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