About ethinylestradiol + gestodene
Combined hormonal contraceptive
Used for
- Prevents pregnancy
- May help make periods more regular, lighter, and less painful
Usual adult dose
One tablet daily for 21 days, followed by a 7-day tablet-free interval; restart on schedule.
Common side effects
- Headache
- Nausea or abdominal discomfort
- Breast tenderness
- Mood changes or spotting
Important warnings
- Raises the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack; risk is higher with smoking and age over 35.
- Not suitable for some people with clotting disorders, migraine with aura, or certain liver conditions.
- Does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
Pregnancy
Do not use during pregnancy; stop if pregnancy is confirmed.
Breastfeeding
May reduce milk supply, especially soon after birth; generally avoid until breastfeeding is established and discuss suitable contraception.
Interactions
- Some seizure medicines, rifampicin, and St John’s wort can reduce contraceptive effectiveness.
- Some HIV or hepatitis C medicines can interact.
- May affect lamotrigine levels.
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 It may be incomplete or out of date.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.