Feanolla Tablets

The Right Contraceptive Starts with the Right Information

Somewhere between the options, the side effect lists, and the conversations with healthcare professionals, many women reach the same question: what actually suits me? The answer is rarely the same for two people. Body chemistry, health history, life stage, and personal preference all play a part. For women whose circumstances point away from oestrogen-containing contraception, a desogestrel-based progestogen-only pill can be a well-tolerated and clinically reliable option. Feanolla is one such pill. It contains desogestrel 75 micrograms and is licensed in the United Kingdom for the prevention of pregnancy. This page sets out what Feanolla is, how it works, how it compares with other mini pills, and what the prescribing process looks like through Pharmacy Planet.

Feanolla belongs to the same class of desogestrel-based progestogen-only pill as Cerazette and Cerelle. All three contain the same active ingredient at the same dose and are considered clinically equivalent by FSRH guidance. If you have been taking one of these and a switch has been suggested, or if you are exploring the mini pill for the first time, the information on this page will help you understand what to expect from treatment before you start a consultation.

Feanolla is a film-coated tablet containing desogestrel 75 micrograms as its sole active ingredient. It belongs to the progestogen-only pill (POP) class, commonly called the mini pill. It contains no oestrogen. Feanolla is manufactured by Gedeon Richter UK Ltd and is licensed in the UK as a daily oral contraceptive for adult women.

As a desogestrel-based pill, Feanolla is pharmacologically equivalent to Cerazette and Cerelle. All three are sometimes prescribed interchangeably based on availability and supply. Women are occasionally switched between them by their GP or pharmacist without any change in clinical effect. If you have been offered Feanolla and have previously taken Cerazette or Cerelle, you can be reassured that the active ingredient and dose are identical.

Feanolla is available in a single strength: desogestrel 75 micrograms per tablet. As a Prescription Only Medicine, it cannot be supplied without a valid prescription from a registered clinician. A clinical consultation is required to confirm that this form of progestogen-only contraception is appropriate for your individual health circumstances.

Inhibiting Ovulation

Unlike older progestogen-only pills that rely primarily on thickening cervical mucus, Feanolla inhibits ovulation in the majority of cycles. Desogestrel at 75 micrograms acts on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to suppress the hormonal signals that trigger egg release. Clinical data in the current UK SmPC demonstrates that desogestrel at this dose inhibits ovulation in approximately 97% of cycles. This ovulation-suppressing action places Feanolla closer in primary mechanism to the combined pill, while remaining entirely free of oestrogen.

Thickening Cervical Mucus

In addition to inhibiting ovulation, Feanolla thickens the cervical mucus. This makes it more difficult for sperm to travel through the cervix to reach an egg. This secondary mechanism provides a further layer of contraceptive protection in cycles where ovulation may not be fully suppressed.

No Break in Tablet-Taking

Unlike combined pills that involve a seven-day hormone-free interval, Feanolla is taken every day without a break. There are no inactive tablets and no planned withdrawal bleed built into the regimen. Some women find that their periods become lighter, less frequent, or absent altogether during use. Others experience irregular spotting. Both patterns are recognised effects of desogestrel and are not a sign that the pill is failing.

Why No Oestrogen Matters

The absence of oestrogen means Feanolla avoids the oestrogen-related risks associated with combined pills. It does not carry the same elevated risk of venous thromboembolism, does not suppress breast milk production, and is not contraindicated in women with migraine with aura. These distinctions make it a clinically appropriate option for a broader range of women, including those for whom the combined pill is unsuitable.

When to Start

Your prescriber will confirm the most appropriate starting day for your circumstances. The general guidance is as follows:

1. Day 1 start: Begin on the first day of your period. You are protected from pregnancy immediately.
2. Days 2 to 5 start: Begin within the first five days of your cycle. Use additional contraception such as condoms for the first two days.
3. After childbirth (not breastfeeding): Start from day 21 after delivery for immediate protection. If starting later, use additional contraception for two days.
4. Whilst breastfeeding: Feanolla is considered suitable from six weeks after delivery. Your prescriber or midwife will advise on timing.
5. Switching from a combined pill: Start Feanolla the day after your last active combined tablet. You are protected immediately.
6. Switching from another progestogen-only pill: Start on the day after your last tablet from the previous pack. You are protected immediately.

Daily Use

Take one Feanolla tablet every day at the same time, with no break between packs. When one pack is finished, begin the next pack the following day.

1. Swallow each tablet whole with water.
2. Take your tablet at the same time each day to maintain consistent hormone levels.
3. You have a 12-hour window: taking your tablet up to 12 hours after your usual time still preserves contraceptive protection.

If You Miss a Tablet

The 12-hour window makes Feanolla more forgiving than older progestogen-only pills, which had only a three-hour window:

1. Fewer than 12 hours late: take the missed tablet immediately and continue as normal. You remain protected.
2. More than 12 hours late: take the missed tablet as soon as you remember, continue the pack at the usual time, and use additional contraception for the next two days.
3. If you had unprotected sex after missing your tablet and before taking it, contact your prescriber or pharmacist about whether emergency contraception is needed.

If you vomit within three to four hours of taking a tablet, or experience severe diarrhoea, absorption may be incomplete. Treat this situation as a missed pill and apply the guidance above. Always refer to the Patient Information Leaflet for the complete missed pill guidance for all specific scenarios.

Tablet Composition

• Active ingredient: desogestrel 75 micrograms per tablet
• No oestrogen component
• Film-coated tablet for daily oral use

Available Strength

Feanolla is available in a single strength: 75 micrograms desogestrel per tablet. This is the same dose and active ingredient found in Cerazette and Cerelle. Your prescriber will confirm the appropriate pack size based on your prescription review.

Dosage Regimen

One tablet daily, taken at the same time each day, continuously without any break between packs. There is no inactive tablet, no titration, and no dose variation. The dose is fixed at 75 micrograms of desogestrel from the first tablet taken. Your prescriber will advise on the most appropriate starting day for your individual situation.

As with all medicines, Feanolla can cause side effects. Not every woman will experience them. The information below is a summary based on the current UK SmPC. Read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medication in full before starting treatment.

Very Common Side Effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 women)

• Changes to the menstrual bleeding pattern. This is the most commonly reported effect of desogestrel-based pills. Changes include absent periods, infrequent or irregular spotting, and in some women more frequent or prolonged bleeding. These patterns are not harmful, though they can be unexpected.
• Acne
• Mood changes, including low mood or mood swings
• Decreased libido
• Headache
• Nausea
• Breast tenderness
• Weight increase

Common Side Effects (affecting up to 1 in 10 women)

• Vaginal infection
• Difficulty tolerating contact lenses
• Vomiting
• Hair loss

Serious Side Effects: Seek Urgent Medical Attention If You Notice

• Severe abdominal pain. If pregnancy occurs whilst taking Feanolla, there is a proportionally higher risk that it may be ectopic (outside the uterus). Seek immediate medical assessment if you have a positive pregnancy test and abdominal pain.
• Signs of a blood clot: sudden leg pain or swelling, chest pain, or difficulty breathing. The VTE risk with progestogen-only pills is lower than with combined pills, but seek prompt medical attention if these symptoms occur.
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction: facial or throat swelling, difficulty breathing, or widespread rash.

Important Drug Interactions

Enzyme-inducing medicines increase the rate at which desogestrel is broken down, reducing the effectiveness of Feanolla. Always inform your prescriber of all medicines, supplements, and herbal products you take, including:

• Rifampicin and rifabutin (used for tuberculosis and other infections)
• Antiepileptic medicines including phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, oxcarbazepine, and topiramate
• Certain HIV and hepatitis C medicines including ritonavir, nelfinavir, and nevirapine
• St John's Wort, a herbal supplement available without prescription

If you are prescribed any of the above whilst taking Feanolla, additional contraception or an alternative method may be required. Disclose your full and current medication list at every consultation, including any recent changes.

Feanolla Is Not Suitable If You:

• Have or have ever had breast cancer or another progestogen-sensitive cancer
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding that has not been assessed by a healthcare professional
• Have liver disease or a liver tumour
• Have a history of arterial disease or stroke caused by a blood clot in an artery
• Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
• Are allergic to desogestrel or any other ingredient listed in the SmPC

This Medicine May Be Appropriate If You:

• Are an adult woman seeking a reliable daily contraceptive that contains no oestrogen
• Have migraine with aura, which is a contraindication to oestrogen-containing combined pills but does not apply to progestogen-only pills
• Are breastfeeding and need a contraceptive that is compatible with feeding from six weeks postpartum
• Are a smoker over the age of 35, for whom the cardiovascular risks of the combined pill are significantly elevated
• Have blood pressure or cardiovascular risk factors that make oestrogen-containing contraception unsuitable
• Have previously experienced oestrogen-related side effects on a combined pill and are looking for an alternative

Use With Caution If You:

• Have a personal or family history of venous thromboembolism. Progestogen-only pills carry a lower VTE risk than combined pills, but the risk is not entirely absent.
• Have a history of depression or are currently being treated for a mood disorder. Progestogens can affect mood in some women.
• Have diabetes. Desogestrel may affect glucose metabolism, and your prescriber may wish to review your monitoring.
• Have a history of ectopic pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs whilst taking Feanolla, the proportion of those pregnancies that are ectopic is higher than in women using no contraception.
• Have or have been investigated for ovarian cysts. Functional ovarian cysts are reported more frequently with desogestrel-based pills, though they are usually benign and self-resolving.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered UK online pharmacy. All prescriptions are issued following a genuine clinical consultation with a registered prescriber. The process for Feanolla is as follows:

1. Complete a structured medical questionnaire. This covers your current health, relevant medical history, family history particularly in relation to blood clots, all medicines you take, and key lifestyle factors. Your answers must be accurate and complete. The prescriber's assessment depends on the information you provide.
2. A registered prescriber reviews your consultation individually and determines whether Feanolla is clinically appropriate for your specific circumstances. The consultation is the primary step. A prescription is the possible outcome, not a guaranteed one.
3. If the prescriber determines that Feanolla is appropriate, a prescription is issued and your medication is dispensed and dispatched. If they determine that a different contraceptive method is more suitable, that further information is needed, or that a face-to-face assessment is required, they will communicate this clearly.
4. Repeat supply also requires a new consultation. This confirms that continued prescribing remains appropriate and that your health has not changed in a way that affects suitability.

• Store below 30°C.
• Keep tablets in the original blister packaging to protect from moisture.
• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use tablets after the expiry date printed on the pack and blister foil.
• Return unused tablets to your pharmacist for safe disposal. Do not dispose of medicines via wastewater or household waste.

This reference guide compares the contraceptive preparations available at Pharmacy Planet, grouped by delivery method and formulation type. Every preparation is a Prescription Only Medicine. A registered prescriber will review your individual health profile, contraceptive history, and risk factors before recommending any preparation. This table is a clinical reference, not a recommendation.

Progestogen-Only Tablets (Mini Pill)

Progestogen-only pills contain no oestrogen and are taken every day with no break between packs. The table below compares commonly prescribed progestogen-only pills by missed pill window, primary contraceptive mechanism, and clinical characteristics. These differences are clinically significant and pills are not interchangeable without prescriber review.

Important: This comparison is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. A prescriber will decide which treatment is suitable for you following an online consultation.

Pharmacy Planet is a registered UK online pharmacy regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council. We provide a confidential and clinically responsible route to prescription contraception, including progestogen-only pills such as Feanolla. Our process is built around individual clinical assessment, not automated responses.

Every consultation submitted through our platform is reviewed by a registered prescriber who makes an individual clinical decision. If Feanolla is not the right option for you, they will tell you that clearly. Our team will support you in finding an appropriate alternative wherever possible. Access to contraception should be straightforward, but it should also be safe, and those two things are not in conflict.

Our GPhC registration and the EU common logo on our website confirm our status as a verified, legitimate UK online pharmacy. You can check our registration at any time via www.pharmacyregulation.org. Our pharmacy team is available for any questions before, during, or after your consultation.

1. Gedeon Richter UK Ltd. Feanolla 75 microgram film-coated tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: www.medicines.org.uk/emc. Accessed May 2026.
2. Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH). Progestogen-Only Pills – Clinical Guidance. Available at: www.fsrh.org. Accessed May 2026.
3. NHS. Progestogen-only pill (mini pill) – your contraception guide. Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/progestogen-only-pill. Accessed May 2026.
4. British National Formulary (BNF). Desogestrel. Available at: bnf.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
5. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contraception – overview. Available at: www.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.