Gedarel Tablets

Gedarel is a combined oral contraceptive pill licensed in the United Kingdom for the prevention of pregnancy. It is available in two oestrogen strengths: Gedarel 20/150, which contains ethinylestradiol 20 micrograms and desogestrel 150 micrograms, and Gedarel 30/150, which contains ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and desogestrel 150 micrograms. Both are manufactured by Gedeon Richter UK Ltd and are considered generic equivalents of Marvelon (30/150) and Mercilon (20/150). Both use a standard 21-day active tablet, seven-day break schedule.

Gedarel contains desogestrel, a third-generation synthetic progestogen. Like other third-generation combined pills, it carries a somewhat higher risk of venous thromboembolism than levonorgestrel-containing pills, though the absolute risk for most healthy women remains small. The availability of two oestrogen strengths gives prescribers flexibility when managing tolerability or adjusting for individual patient circumstances. A clinical consultation is required before any prescription for Gedarel is issued.

Gedarel is a monophasic combined oral contraceptive tablet. Monophasic means every active tablet in the pack contains the same dose of both hormones throughout the 21-day course. There is no variation in dose from one tablet to the next.

Two strengths are available:

1. Gedarel 20/150: ethinylestradiol 20 micrograms + desogestrel 150 micrograms
2. Gedarel 30/150: ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms + desogestrel 150 micrograms

Ethinylestradiol is a synthetic oestrogen. Desogestrel is a synthetic progestogen. The desogestrel dose is the same in both strengths. The difference between the two preparations is the oestrogen dose only. Gedarel 20/150 is the generic equivalent of Mercilon. Gedarel 30/150 is the generic equivalent of Marvelon. All four tablets contain the same active ingredients at the same respective doses and are considered clinically equivalent under NHS and FSRH guidance.

As a Prescription Only Medicine, Gedarel requires a valid prescription from a registered clinician. A clinical consultation is necessary to confirm suitability, rule out contraindications, and allow the prescriber to determine which oestrogen strength is most appropriate for you.

Suppressing Ovulation

The primary contraceptive mechanism of Gedarel is the suppression of ovulation. Ethinylestradiol and desogestrel act together on the pituitary gland to inhibit the release of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone. Without the luteinising hormone surge that normally triggers egg release, ovulation does not occur. This mechanism is shared by all combined oral contraceptives.

Secondary Mechanisms

Gedarel also works through two secondary contraceptive mechanisms:

1. Desogestrel thickens the cervical mucus, making it more resistant to sperm penetration.
2. The hormonal combination alters the endometrium, reducing its receptiveness to implantation.

The 21-Day Cycle

Gedarel is taken on a standard 21-day active, seven-day break schedule. Taking one tablet daily for 21 days provides consistent hormonal suppression. The seven-day break allows hormone levels to fall, triggering a withdrawal bleed. This is not a true menstrual period. It is a predictable consequence of the hormone-free interval and is typically lighter and shorter than a natural period.

Two Oestrogen Strengths

The availability of a 20 microgram and a 30 microgram oestrogen option gives prescribers a clinically useful choice. The 20 microgram strength may be considered for women who experience oestrogen-related side effects such as nausea or breast tenderness on a standard 30 microgram pill. The 30 microgram strength may be more appropriate for women who experience irregular bleeding or spotting on a lower-dose pill. Your prescriber will determine which strength is suitable for you.

Starting Your First Pack

Your prescriber will advise on the most appropriate starting day. Standard guidance is:

1. Day 1 start: Begin on the first day of your period. You are protected from pregnancy immediately.
2. Day 2 to 5 start: Begin within the first five days of your cycle. Use additional contraception such as condoms for the first seven days.
3. Switching from another combined pill: Take the first Gedarel tablet the day after your last active tablet from the previous pack. You remain protected immediately.
4. Switching from a progestogen-only pill: Start Gedarel on any day. Use additional contraception for the first seven days.

The 21-Day Regimen

Take one tablet every day at the same time for 21 consecutive days. After the 21st tablet, stop for exactly seven days. A withdrawal bleed will usually occur during this week. Start the next 21-tablet pack on day 29, the day after the break ends, regardless of whether any bleeding has stopped. The break must not exceed seven days.

1. Swallow each tablet whole with water.
2. Take tablets at the same time each day to maintain consistent hormone levels.
3. Do not extend the seven-day break. Starting a new pack late increases the risk of ovulation.
4. If vomiting occurs within two hours of taking a tablet, or severe diarrhoea develops, treat this as a missed pill.

Missed Pills

1. Fewer than 24 hours late: take the missed tablet immediately and continue as normal. You remain protected.
2. More than 24 hours late: take the missed tablet immediately, continue the pack, and take the next tablet at the usual time even if this means two in one day. Use additional contraception for seven days.
3. Two or more consecutive missed tablets: take the most recently missed tablet immediately, leave the others, continue the pack, and use additional contraception for seven days. If this falls in the first week and you had unprotected sex in the preceding seven days, contact your prescriber or pharmacist about emergency contraception.

Refer to the Patient Information Leaflet for complete missed pill guidance covering all specific scenarios.

Gedarel 20/150

• Ethinylestradiol 20 micrograms + desogestrel 150 micrograms per tablet
• Monophasic: every tablet contains the same dose
• Generic equivalent of Mercilon
• Lower oestrogen dose; may suit women sensitive to oestrogen

Gedarel 30/150

• Ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms + desogestrel 150 micrograms per tablet
• Monophasic: every tablet contains the same dose
• Generic equivalent of Marvelon
• Standard oestrogen dose; may suit women who experience spotting on the 20 mcg strength

Dosage Regimen

One tablet daily at the same time for 21 consecutive days, followed by a seven-day tablet-free interval. The dose is fixed throughout the course. There is no titration or dose escalation. Your prescriber will confirm both the appropriate strength and starting day for your individual circumstances.

Like all medicines, Gedarel can cause side effects. Not every woman will experience them. The following is a summary based on the current UK SmPC. Read the Patient Information Leaflet in full before starting treatment.

Common Side Effects

• Headache or migraine
• Nausea
• Breast tenderness or discomfort
• Mood changes, including low mood or irritability
• Changes in libido
• Breakthrough spotting or changes to the bleeding pattern, particularly in the first few cycles
• Changes in vaginal discharge

Less Common Side Effects

• Weight changes
• Contact lens intolerance due to changes in corneal curvature
• Skin changes including chloasma (patches of darker skin on the face)

Serious Side Effects: Seek Urgent Medical Attention If You Experience

• Sudden chest pain, breathlessness, or coughing up blood. These may indicate a pulmonary embolism or heart attack.
• Pain, swelling, or warmth in one leg. This may indicate deep vein thrombosis.
• Sudden severe headache, visual disturbance, weakness in the face, arm, or leg, or difficulty speaking. These may indicate a stroke.
• Severe abdominal pain, which may indicate a liver problem or ectopic pregnancy.
• Jaundice: yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes.

Blood Clot Risk and Desogestrel

All combined oral contraceptives carry a small increased risk of venous thromboembolism compared with women not using hormonal contraception. Desogestrel-containing pills including Gedarel carry a somewhat higher VTE risk than levonorgestrel-containing pills, and a broadly similar risk to other third-generation combined pills. The lower oestrogen strength in Gedarel 20/150 does not eliminate this risk. Your prescriber will assess your individual VTE risk factors, including BMI, smoking status, personal and family history of blood clots, and any planned periods of immobility, before prescribing.

Important Drug Interactions

Enzyme-inducing medicines reduce the effectiveness of Gedarel. These include:

• Rifampicin and rifabutin
• Certain antiepileptic medicines including phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and topiramate
• Some HIV medicines including ritonavir and efavirenz
• St John's Wort, a herbal supplement available without prescription

Always disclose your full medication list, including herbal remedies and supplements, at every consultation. If you are prescribed an enzyme-inducing medicine whilst taking Gedarel, additional contraceptive precautions or an alternative method may be required.

Gedarel Is Not Suitable If You:

• Have or have ever had a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or arterial thrombosis)
• Have or have ever had a stroke or heart attack
• Have migraine with aura
• Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Have liver disease or liver tumours
• Have or have ever had breast cancer or another oestrogen-sensitive cancer
• Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
• Are breastfeeding a baby under six weeks old
• Are a smoker aged 35 or over
• Have diabetes with vascular complications

This Medicine May Be Appropriate If You:

• Are a healthy adult woman seeking reliable daily hormonal contraception
• Have previously been prescribed Marvelon or Mercilon and are switching to a generic equivalent
• Have no personal or family history of blood clots, stroke, or cardiovascular disease
• Do not have migraine with aura and do not smoke heavily
• Are not currently taking medicines that interact significantly with combined oral contraceptives

Use With Caution If You:

• Are a smoker under the age of 35. Smoking increases cardiovascular risk with all oestrogen-containing contraceptives.
• Have a BMI above 30. Obesity is an independent risk factor for VTE.
• Have a family history of blood clots in a first degree relative under the age of 50.
• Have a history of depression or are currently experiencing low mood. Hormonal contraceptives can affect mood in some women.
• Are planning long-haul travel or periods of extended immobility, which independently increase VTE risk.
• Have previously had high blood pressure in pregnancy or conditions sensitive to oestrogen exposure.

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

1. Complete a structured medical questionnaire. This covers your health history, current medicines, smoking status, BMI, family history of blood clots and cardiovascular disease, any previous pill history, and relevant gynaecological history. Accurate and complete answers are essential.
2. A registered prescriber reviews your consultation individually. They assess whether Gedarel is clinically appropriate for your circumstances, including which of the two oestrogen strengths is most suitable, and weigh the desogestrel-related VTE risk profile against your individual risk factors.
3. A prescription is issued only if the prescriber determines that Gedarel is appropriate for you. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription. The prescriber may determine that a different contraceptive is more suitable or that further assessment is needed. If so, they will communicate this clearly.
4. If a prescription is issued, your medication is dispensed and dispatched by our pharmacy team. Our team is available for any follow-up questions.
5. Repeat supply requires a new consultation each time, to confirm that continued prescribing remains clinically appropriate.

• Store below 25°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.
• 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.

Combined Oral Contraceptive Tablets (Monophasic)

Monophasic combined pills contain the same dose of both hormones in every active tablet. The table below compares commonly prescribed monophasic combined oral contraceptives by progestogen type, oestrogen dose, VTE risk category, pack format, and key clinical characteristics.

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 clinically responsible and confidential route to prescription contraception, including combined pills such as Gedarel. Our process is built around genuine individual clinical assessment, not automated supply.

Every prescriber working through our platform reviews consultations individually. For Gedarel, this includes determining which oestrogen strength is clinically appropriate for your circumstances. If Gedarel is not suitable for you, your prescriber will say so clearly. Our team will support you in finding an appropriate alternative wherever possible.

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

• Gedeon Richter UK Ltd. Gedarel 20/150 and 30/150 film-coated tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: www.medicines.org.uk/emc. Accessed May 2026.
• Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH). Combined Hormonal Contraception – Clinical Guidance. Available at: www.fsrh.org. Accessed May 2026.
• NHS. Combined pill – your contraception guide. Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/combined-contraceptive-pill. Accessed May 2026.
• British National Formulary (BNF). Ethinylestradiol with desogestrel. Available at: bnf.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
• MHRA. Combined hormonal contraceptives and venous thromboembolism – updated guidance. Available at: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-agency. Accessed May 2026.