Gedarel
Gedarel is an oral contraceptive. Its primary purpose is to prevent pregnancy, but Gedarel and other hormone-based contraceptives can also be taken to regulate irregular menstrual periods. Like other oral contraceptives, Gedarel is manufactured by Gedeon Richter, and is generically referred to as The Pill. In the UK, this particular pill is also sold by MSD under the brand name Marvelon.
How Does Gedarel Work?
Gedarel is a combined contraceptive pill. Its active components are two types of female hormones: ethinylestradiol and desogestrel. Ethinylestradiol is an oestrogen and desogestrel is a progestogen. These hormones help prevent pregnancy in the same way your natural hormones would stop you from conceiving again during a pregnancy. Gedarel provides hormones that stop ovulation, thicken the fluid at the neck of the womb and make the lining of the womb less receptive to accepting a fertilised egg.
Gedarel Dosage
Gedarel is available in two dosages: Gedarel 30 150 and Gedarel 20 150. The numbers refer to micrograms; Gedarel 30 150 has 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 150 micrograms of desogestrel - Gederal 20 has 20 micrograms of ethinylstradiol and 150 micrograms of desogestrel.
How Often is Gedarel Taken?
Gedarel is taken once daily for 21 days starting within the first five days of a menstrual cycle. These 21 days are followed by seven tablet-free days. Pills should be taken at the same time each day.
How Effective is Gedarel?
When taken as prescribed, Gedarel is more than 99% effective against contraception during a year of use by women of ages 35 and younger. However, because people do not always take the pill as prescribed, about 8 in 100 women taking Gedarel become pregnant in a year.
Gedarel Side Effects
The most common undesired side effect of Gedarel is weight gain. Other side effects include:
- reduced menstrual bleeding
- bloating
- breast tenderness or pain
- breast swelling/enlargement
- depression
- decreased libido
- increased libido
- migraine
- gastrointestinal upset
- altered glucose tolerance
- yeast infection
- liver impairment
- breakthrough bleeding
- acne
- chloasma (skin darkening as occurs during pregnancy)
- hypertension
- contact lens irritation
- photosensitivity
- thrombosis (blood clots)
Women taking combined oral contraceptives may be at a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer and cervical cancer
What Other Medications Affect Gedarel?
The drugs and herbs listed below can interact with Gedarel. This list is not exhaustive.
- Antibacterials
- Antidiabetics
- Antifungals
- Anticoagulants
- Anticonvulsants
- Antihypertensives
- Aprepitant
- Barbiturates
- Bosentan
- Ciclosporin
- Corticosteroids
- Griseofulvin
- Modafinil
- NNRTIs
- Protease inhibitors
- Rash or itching (may indicate an allergy to the pill)
- St. John's wort
- Selegiline
- Tacrolimus
- TCADs
- Theophylline
Who Should Not Take Gedarel?
You should not use Gedarel if you’ve had a blood clot, heart attack or stroke. You should also avoid oral contraceptives if you’ve had a disease that’s predictive of these conditions, such as angina pectoris, or have a health condition such as diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure that makes thrombosis, heart attack or stroke more likely. Gerarel is also not recommended if:
- you have blood clotting disturbance;
- you smoke cigarettes;
- you’ve had a certain type of migraine;
- you’ve had pancreatitis or liver disease;
- you’ve had breast cancer or cancer of the genital organs;
- you’ve had unexplained bleeding from your vagina; or
- you are allergic to ethinylestradiol, desogestrel or other ingredients in Gedarel.
