Gedarel is a highly effective combined pill. Taken correctly, it offers more than 99% protection against unexpected pregnancies.
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A combined pill that helps prevent pregnancy, primarily. You can get it in two doses - 20 and 30 - and you take it once daily for the first 21 days out of every 28.
But besides birth control protection, contraceptives like Gedarel can have other uses too. For women who take Gedarel acne relief can sometimes be a welcome secondary effect. A clinician might also prescribe a combined pill like Gedarel for endometriosis relief in certain cases.
How do Gedarel tablets work?
The pill works in three separate ways. Firstly, it changes the level of hormones in the body that would otherwise lead to the release of an egg. Without an egg to fertilise, pregnancy obviously becomes much less likely. It also thickens the mucus in the neck of the womb, making it almost impossible for the sperm to get through the cervix. And by altering the lining of the womb, it makes it difficult for a fertilised egg to embed itself.
How effective is Gedarel?
Over 99%. For every 100 women who take the combined pill according to the instructions, over a period of one year, less than one will get unexpectedly pregnant.
But people make mistakes. It’s quite common to miss a pill or to not take it on time. So there’s a typical use rate of effectiveness for the pill too: about 91%. So out of 100 women using it typically, over one year, nine will get pregnant.
The best way to make sure you don’t get pregnant when taking Gedarel is to use it as correctly as you can. Take it at the same time on the days you should, and follow the instructions for advice if you make a mistake.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
GedarelEthinylestradiol/Desogestrel
How to take Gedarel
It’s vital that you take Gedarel as instructed by your prescribing clinician. Not doing so will likely lead to a reduction in its effectiveness and increase the risk of becoming pregnant.
Gedarel should be taken at the same time every day for 21 straight days at the start of your period (the first day of bleeding). This provides full protection against pregnancy from the start of treatment.
If you start taking Gedarel on any other day, you will need to use a barrier contraceptive for at least seven days.
If you have been taking a different combined contraceptive pill up until the day you switch to Gedarel, you should carry on taking the new course as a continuation. If you’re switching from the mini pill, you’ll need to use a barrier contraceptive for seven days to remain protected.
At the end of your 21 days of taking it, you’ll take a seven day break before starting the next strip. Gedarel withdrawal bleeding will normally start during your break.
The days of the week are marked on the blister pack so that you can keep track of what you have taken. Tablets should be swallowed whole with water.
Can you take Gedarel back to back?
Yes, you can. But before you do, check with your prescriber that they’re happy for you to do this. There are advantages to pill ‘stacking’. It reduces the likelihood of having a period (withdrawal bleed) and some clinicians think it helps users to stick more closely to ‘perfect use’.
Gedarel and missed pills: what to do
Check the leaflet that comes with your treatment for advice on what to do if you miss a pill. You might need to use a barrier contraceptive for a week (like a condom) if you miss more than one, or if you’re more than 12 hours late taking it. If you forget but remember to take the pill within 12 hours of your missed one, you’re covered - you don’t need to take any extra precautions. Just take your next pill at the usual time.
In some cases, such as if you miss a pill towards the end of your strip, you might be advised to skip your usual 7-day break.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
GedarelEthinylestradiol/Desogestrel
GedarelEthinylestradiol/Desogestrel
FAQ: Gedarel
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
What ingredients are in Gedarel?
Answer:
Two synthetic hormones - the active ingredients that make the pill work. The first is ethinylestradiol, the oestrogen hormone. This is available in 20 micrograms and 30 micrograms, the smaller dosage for women who have slight issues tolerating higher doses of oestrogen. The other main ingredient is desogestrel, a synthetic version of the natural hormone progesterone. This comes in 150 micrograms.
Other Gedarel pill ingredients are: potato starch, stearic acid, all-rac-alpha-tocopherol, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, silica colloidal,anhydrous, povidone K 30, hypromellose, macrogol 6000 and propylene glycol.
Does the Gedarel pill help with acne?
Answer:
It can. For acne, combined pills can benefit some, but for others the effects can be minimal or even worse. This depends on the cause of acne. If in doubt, speak with your prescriber to know if this is the right medication for you regarding acne.
What’s the difference between Gedarel 20 and 30?
Answer:
Oestrogen load. Gedarel 20 has 20 micrograms of oestrogen hormone (ethinylestradiol if you want to get specific) and Gedarel 30 has 30 micrograms.
Why do they have two doses? Well, if you’ve taken Gedarel 30 before and had mild oestrogenic side effects (water retention, fuller breasts, nausea) you might be better on a slightly lower dose of oestrogen. That’s where Gedarel 20 comes in. On the other hand, if you take Gedarel 20 and get very mild progestogenic side effects (infrequent periods, dry vagina, low sex drive) you might be better with a slightly higher oestogren dose (Gedarel 30) to help cancel these out.
In short, settling on the right pill is a delicate balancing act. Having different doses of Gedarel helps to narrow down the choices a little better.
Does Gedarel stop periods?
Answer:
Not usually, but it depends how you take it (in fact, the withdrawal bleeding that occurs between the strips of pills isn’t actually your period).
Gedarel can stop your period (monthly bleed) if you take it continuously without the seven day break. You can take Gedarel in this way to stop your period, but you should speak to your prescriber about this first.
Is Gedarel safe?
Answer:
Gedarel is safe to use. You might get some mild side effects but they go away in a few weeks.
It’s not quite in the ‘safest’ category of pills. There are other pills with a slightly lower risk of blood clot. But we’re not talking huge numbers (there’s a difference of around five women per 10,000).
Serious side effects are rare, but they are possible, so you should know about them before starting the pill. Seek medical help if necessary.
Does Gedarel cause weight gain?
Answer:
Weight gain has been reported by some women taking the combined contraceptive pill. Some clinical trials did investigate this but found no direct link.
Weight gain can be caused by water retention (which is a possible side effect of the pill), and this often subsides as the body gets used to the changes of hormones in the body.
What’s the difference between Gedarel and Rigevidon?
Answer:
Gedarel 30 and Rigedivon share the same oestrogen hormone at the same dosage. The difference between the two medications is that they use two different forms of progesterone. In Gedarel it’s desogestrel and in Rigevidon it’s levonorgestrel, both at 150 micrograms.
They are equally effective at preventing pregnancy. But you might find one progesterone works better than the other at tackling your menstrual symptoms. It’s an individual thing really - so if you take one pill and find that it doesn’t work well for you, let our prescriber know.
Does Gedarel cause mood changes?
Answer:
Some women notice mood swings when they start taking the pill. Again, this can be a result of the body getting used to the new hormones, and may go away after a few weeks.
But if you start to feel very low or depressed, or find that mood swings persist, you should speak to our clinician. You just need to sign in to your account and send them a message.
Is Gedarel the same as Marvelon?
Answer:
Pretty much. Like the 30 dose of Gedarel, Marvelon contains the same hormones, in the same amounts. The difference is the branding and the manufacturer. Gedarel 20 is the equivalent of Mercilon, which is a lower dose of Marvelon.
Why should I buy Gedarel from Treated?
Answer:
First off, you’ll get your first package delivered the next working day.
Second, you get to choose. You can choose from the options that our prescribers suggest for you. You can set up your subscription how you like it — how much medication you need and how often you want to get refills. You also have the power to change, pause or cancel your subscription whenever you like.
And there’s more.
Our aftercare engine helps you stay on the right track. Our clinicians will check in with you periodically to make sure your treatment is going well. If you’ve got any questions or need some extra help, they’re close by. Just reach out whenever you like.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
