Marvelon 126 Tablets

Marvelon is a 21-day pill, meaning that the treatment is taken for 21 days, followed by a 7-day abstinence from taking the pills. Marvelon will be effective in preventing pregnancies only if taken in this way.

In order for the Marvelon contraceptive pill to be effective, the pill schedule must be strictly followed, with each pill being taken on the day stated on the packaging. Further directions include:

• Taking your pill at the same time each day.

• Begin the course by taking a pill marked by the correct day of the week.

• Take one pill per day until all 21 pills have been taken, ensuring that you follow the direction of the arrows on the packaging, for the order in which the pills should be taken.

• Swallow the pill whole, taking with water if you find swallowing pills problematic; please note that pills must not be chewed.

• 7 pill-free days follow on from the course each month, with the first pill of the next course being taken on the 8th day.

Within a few days of taking the last pill from each strip, you should have a withdrawal bleed like a period. This bleeding may continue into when your next cycle is due to have begun; begin the new cycle regardless, as it is essential for each cycle of pills to start on time.

Additional contraceptive measures are unnecessary during the pill-free period provided that you have taken the 21 pills as directed. For further information regarding how to take Marvelon, see the enclosed Patient Information Leaflet.

The active ingredients in each pill consist of 150mcg of desogestrel (progestogen) and 30mcg of ethinyl estradiol (oestrogen). It also contains the following inactive ingredients:

• Potato starch

• Aerosol

• Povidone

• Lactose

• Dl-alpha-tocopherol

• Stearic acid

Before beginning to take the Marvelon contraceptive pill, certain precautions must be considered to ensure the safe administration of the pill. Due to Marvelon’s effect on the body’s cardiovascular system, a heightened awareness of your body’s susceptibility to blood clots is advised. We also recommend understanding the benefits and risks of the medication prior to taking the medicine and during the course. Information regarding both blood clot symptoms and whether Marvelon is the right medicine for you can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet.

Although Marvelon is safe for most women, we do not recommend that you take Marvelon if any of the following conditions apply to you:

• If you suffer from hypertension (moderate to severe high blood pressure).

• If you have ever experienced a heart attack or a stroke.

• If you have ever had any conditions which  can be indicative of an increased risk of heart attacks. For example:

  • angina pectoris or chest pain

  • stroke, specifically transient ischaemic attack or small reversible strokes

• If you are assessed to have more than one risk factor for a blood clot.

• If you have ever had difficulties or complications with blood circulations, including but not limited to: thromboses, deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary embolism.

• Migraine with aura.

• If you have severe diabetes which has caused blood vessel damage.

• If you have ever suffered from severe liver disease or liver tumours.

• If you have ever had the disease systemic lupus erythematosus.

• If you have or have history of certain cancers affected by sex hormones, for example breast, womb lining or ovary cancer.

• If you have vaginal bleeding that has not been explained by your doctor.

• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the ingredients in Marvelon.

Some medications can prevent Marvelon from working to its full potential, making it essential to inform your doctor, pharmacist or dentist that you are using the Marvelon contraceptive pill if they prescribe another medicine for you. These include:

• Some medicines prescribed to treat epilepsy (primidone, phenytoins, barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate)

• Medicine to treat tuberculosis (rifampicin)

• Certain HIV medicines (ritonavir)

• Certain antibiotics (penicillins, tetracyclines)

• St. John’s Wort (a herbal remedy)

• Griseofulvin (an antifungal drug)

• Ciclosporin

• Lamotrigine

If you do need to take one of these medicines, Marvelon may not be suitable for you. Enquire with your doctor about the suitability of using an alternative, extra contraception for a while whilst you complete the medicine affecting Marvelon’s contraceptive ability.

Marvelon contains lactose - if you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before using Marvelon.