Desogestrel Ethinyl Estradiol Combination (Mercilon)

The combination of Ethinyl Estradiol and Desogestrel has a hormonal effect. It is used as a contraceptive. In addition, the active ingredients can also be used to normalize menstrual irregularities. These include too infrequent or too frequent bleeding (dysmenorrhea).

Mechanism of action of Desogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol

The combination Desogestrel Ethinyl Estradiol belongs to the group of estrogen-gestagen contraceptive hormones.

Ethinyl estradiol is related to the endogenous hormone estradiol from the estrogenic group. Desogestrel is a gestagen (corpus luteum hormone) and is similar to progesterone.

Normally, the interaction of estrogen and progesterone helps prepare the body for pregnancy, ovulation, and the phase of a woman's menstrual cycle. It happens because these hormones have been released in different amounts on certain days of the cycle.

With the Desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol (Mercilon) combination, the body receives increased amounts of estrogen and progesterone. Thus, the body identifies the increased number of hormones as the beginning of pregnancy. As a result, ovulation has been suppressed and there is no thickening of the mucous membrane of the uterus, which is necessary for egg implantation.

Desogestrel also thickens the mucus at the entrance of the uterus, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter. Due to its positive effect on the uterine mucosa, Desogestrel also counteracts cycle irregularities.

Dosage of Mercilon

The pills should be taken orally according to the instructions, daily, trying to take them at the same time as yesterday.

One tablet of Mercilon contains 20 mcg of Ethinylestradiol and 150 mcg of Desogestrel.

The regimen for taking Mercilon is as follows: 1 tablet per day, starting on the first day of the cycle. The duration of intake is 21 days, then it should be interrupted for a period of seven days, after which the medication has been resumed.

Desogestrel / Ethinyl Estradiol: side effects

Most common side effects: sore breasts; weight gain; stomach upset; nausea and vomiting; headaches (migraines possible).

Infrequent side effects: depression; changes in libido; skin color changes.

If you notice any discomfort or changes during treatment, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Contraindications

You should not take Desogestrel / Ethinyl Estradiol under the following conditions:

• Allergy or sensitivity to the ingredients
• Disorders of blood clotting
• Thrombosis
• Impaired cerebral vascular circulation
• Absence of menstrual bleeding, the cause of which is unclear
• Vaginal bleeding for which the cause is unknown
• Pancreatic inflammation

Estrogen-dependent tumors (tumors in which the hormone estrogen plays a role) include, for example, special breast tumors and endometrial tumors.

The hormone medication should be taken with caution for ulcerative colitis; overweight; changes in blood pressure; heart disease; atrial fibrillation (heart arrhythmia); angina; phlebitis; varicose veins; migraine; epilepsy; diabetes; high blood fat concentration.

Children under 18 years of age: in this age group, the drug should not normally be used without medical advice.

The drug should be used with extreme caution in adults over 35 years of age.

Interactions

When several drugs have been used simultaneously, there may be a negative interaction between them. This may change the effect and lead to increased side effects of the drugs.

Smoking while using the drug, may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and pulmonary embolism.

The contraceptive effect of the Desogestrel Ethinyl Estradiol combination may be reduced or eliminated when some active ingredients have been used together:

• Sleeping pills from the barbiturate group
• Antiepileptic drugs (Barbexaclone, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Primidone, Oxcarbazepine, Topiramate)
• Gout medications (Phenylbutazone)

Treatment with Ethinyl Estradiol can lead to increased levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. This must be considered when examining the thyroid gland.