About desogestrel
Progestogen-only oral contraceptive
Used for
Usual adult dose
75 micrograms by mouth once daily, continuously, at the same time each day.
Common side effects
- Irregular bleeding or no periods
- Acne
- Mood changes
- Headache, nausea, or breast tenderness
Important warnings
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
- Vomiting or severe diarrhoea may reduce absorption and contraceptive protection.
- Seek urgent care for possible blood clots, severe abdominal pain, or jaundice.
- Certain medicines can reduce effectiveness; additional contraception may be needed.
Pregnancy
Not used during pregnancy. Stop if pregnancy is confirmed; accidental early use is not known to harm the baby.
Breastfeeding
Generally compatible with breastfeeding; small amounts enter milk, with no known harmful effects on infant growth.
Interactions
- Enzyme-inducing medicines, including rifampicin, some seizure medicines, and St John’s wort, may reduce contraceptive effectiveness.
- Some HIV or hepatitis C medicines may interact.
- Activated charcoal can reduce absorption if taken near the tablet.
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 It may be incomplete or out of date.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.