Mercilon - 3 month course

Mercilon Contraceptive Pills Online

You can request to buy Mercilon online from our UK registered online pharmacy and doctor service. If you are already taking this contraceptive, you can use our service to order a repeat prescription. After completing an assessment, our doctor will assess whether we can issue a prescription online. If approved, our pharmacy team will then dispense and deliver your medication.

Like Gedarel and Marvelon, Mercilon is a combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) containing Desogestrel and Ethinylestradiol. Mercilon is a popular and effective contraceptive pill. It contains two ingredients to help prevent ovulation, and also to make it harder for sperm to reach the uterus.

How it works

Mercilon stops pregnancy by preventing the release of the egg into the ovaries stopping fertilisation from occurring it also thickens the mucus in the cervix making it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb.

When to take

Mercilon is usually taken once daily at the same time each day for 21-days. After this, you have a 7-day tablet free interval to allow withdrawal bleeding to occur which usually starts on the 2nd or 3rd day of not taking pills it may not finish prior to the 7-day tablet free interval but you can start a new pack regardless of this.

• What is Mercilon?

  Mercilon is a combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) taken by women to prevent pregnancy

• How does Mercilon work?

  Mercilons works by preventing the release of the egg into the ovaries stopping fertilisation from occurring it also thickens the mucus in the cervix making it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb. 

• What medications cannot be used with Mercilon?

  Few medications interact with Mercilon the main type of medications that do, are known as liver enzyme inducers which cause Mercilon to be broken down faster. These are examples of a few types of liver enzyme inducers: Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Modafinil.

  If you are unsure if your medication falls into one of these groups please do contact the pharmacy team or your GP prior to purchase.

• Is Mercilon safe to use in pregnancy?

  Mercilon should not be taken during pregnancy should pregnancy occur whilst taking Mercilon, stop the medication immediately.

• Is Mercilon safe to use whilst breastfeeding?

  Some of the hormones in CHCs can be excreted into breast milk even though no negative impact of this has been observed. Breastfeeding mothers are still advised to avoid taking Mercilon and other CHCs until the baby weaned.

• Is Mercilon safe to take with my pre-existing condition?

  Mercilon is not known to interact specifically with any pre-existing medical conditions however it may interact with the medications being used to treat these conditions.

  If you are taking medication for Epilepsy, Tuberculosis, HIV, Hepatitis C, High blood pressure in vessels of the lungs being treated by Bosentan or have a mild depressive mood treated by St John’s Wort, please contact the pharmacy team or your GP to discuss if you are able to take Mercilon safely.

• Is it still okay to drive after taking Mercilon?

  Yes, this medication should not cause drowsiness.

• Does Mercilon have to be taken with food?

  No, Mercilon does not have to be taken with food.

• What should I do if I miss a pill?

  It depends on how long ago you were meant to take the pill:

  If you were meant to take the pill less than 12 hours ago then you are ok to take the pill as soon as you remember even if it means taking two pills in the same day. Contraceptive protection should still be in place and no further protective method is needed. 

  If you were meant to take the pill more than 12 hours ago or have missed more than one pill, take one pill as soon as you remember even if it means taking two pills in the same day. Also, use extra precautions such as condoms during intercourse for the next 7 days. Check our missed pill guide here.

  Now check how many pills you have left in the pack.

  • If you have 20-14 pills left you are in your first week of taking Mercilon and you have missed more than one pill there is a chance you could become pregnant and you should seek advice from a medical professional.
  • If you have 14-7 pills left you are in the second week and as long as you use a  barrier method for the next 7 days after missing more than one pill you should still be protected.
  • If you have less than 7 pills left in the pack you are in the last week of this cycle, normally you would take a break, however, as you have missed one or more pill in the last week it is suggested that you avoid the 7 days pill free interval and start the new pack immediately after finishing this one.

Side Effects of Mercilon

Common; (contact your doctor is these persist or are uncomfortable)

• Headache / Migraine
• Depression or mood changes
• Nausea
• Breast pain
• Bleeding between periods / Change in vaginal discharge

Uncommon side effects of taking Mercilon include: (contact your doctor is these persist or are uncomfortable)

• Vomiting / Diarrhoea
• Breast enlargement
• Weight changes
• Vaginal infection
• Severe itching

• High or low blood pressure
• Acne
• Fluid retention

Rare, serious side effects (stop taking and contact your doctor)

• Hearing impairment
• Blood clots
• A slight increase in the risk of breast and cervical cancer
• Liver problems
• Severe allergic reaction

A full list of side effects can be seen in the patient information leaflet and it is always advised you read this prior to taking any medication.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

• Mercilon PIL