About desogestrel + ethinylestradiol
Combined oral contraceptive
Used for
Usual adult dose
One tablet daily, following the pack’s sequence for 22 days, then a six-day tablet-free interval.
Common side effects
- Headache
- Nausea
- Breast tenderness
- Irregular bleeding
Important warnings
- Rarely increases risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack.
- Not suitable for some people with clotting disorders, migraine with aura, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- 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, especially when started soon after birth; suitability depends on timing and individual circumstances.
Interactions
- Some seizure medicines can reduce contraceptive effectiveness.
- Rifampicin and rifabutin can reduce effectiveness.
- St John’s wort can reduce effectiveness.
- Certain HIV or hepatitis medicines may interact.
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 It may be incomplete or out of date.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.