About gestodene
Combined oral contraceptive
Used for
- Preventing pregnancy
- Sometimes used to regulate menstrual cycles
Usual adult dose
One tablet daily for 21 days, followed by a 7-day tablet-free break; follow the product leaflet.
Common side effects
- Headache
- Nausea or abdominal discomfort
- Breast tenderness
- Mood changes or irregular bleeding
Important warnings
- Increases risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.
- Not suitable for some people with clotting history, migraine with aura, or severe liver disease.
- Smoking increases serious cardiovascular risks, especially after age 35.
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Pregnancy
Not used during pregnancy; stop if pregnancy is confirmed.
Breastfeeding
May reduce milk supply, particularly soon after birth; suitability depends on timing and circumstances.
Interactions
- Some seizure, tuberculosis, and HIV medicines can reduce contraceptive effectiveness.
- St John's wort may reduce effectiveness.
- Some antibiotics and antifungals can affect hormone levels or bleeding.
- May alter effects of other medicines, including lamotrigine.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.