MARVELON ®
Treatment options
Buy MARVELON ® safely, securely and easily in a few simple steps. Start a consultation today to check your eligibility with a prescribing clinician, at no cost to you.
This content is intended for UK audiences only
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What to do if you missed your MARVELON ® dose
The MHRA's reporting program for suspected side effects to medicines, vaccines, e-cigarettes, medical device incidents, defective or falsified (fake) products to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to ensure safe and effective use.
Learn more about reporting side effectsOther known brand names
Microgynon 30 ED, Levest, Rigevidon
About Marvelon
Marvelon is a combined hormonal contraceptive used to provide protection against pregnancy. It contains desogestrel, a progesterone and ethinylestradiol, an oestrogen as its active ingredients.
Marvelon works by stopping the release of an egg each month from the ovaries, preventing ovulation during the menstrual cycle. It also makes cervical mucus thicker, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix, and makes the lining of the womb thinner, so fertilised eggs are less likely to implant in the uterus wall.
Now Patient offers the Marvelon birth control pills for the prevention of pregnancy only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.
Key facts of Marvelon
- For the prevention of pregnancy
- There is no evidence that the the pill causes weight gain
- Marvelon has some common side effects which include headache and migraine
- It can be dangerous if you take Marvelon with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
- Marvelon will not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Who is Marvelon not suitable for?
Marvelon may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Marvelon if you:
- Are allergic to the active ingredients desogestrel or ethinylestradiol, or inactive ingredients such as lactose, colloidal silicon dioxide, povidone, stearic acid, titanium dioxide, or vitamin E
- Have ever had a blood clot in the leg or lungs
- Have a family history of heart attacks or stroke
- Have ever had angina or transient ischaemic attack
- Suffer from migraines with aura
- Have a liver disease, liver tumours or any other liver problems
- Have kidney failure
- Have ever had breast cancer or cancer of the cervix, vagina or uterus
- Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Have suffered from jaundice, pemphigoid gestationis (a rash involving blisters of the hands and feet), or pruritus while pregnant
- Have a family history of breast cancer
- Have diabetes
- Have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Have haemolytic uraemic syndrome, high blood cholesterol, or sickle cell anaemia
- Have epilepsy
- Have systemic lupus erythematosus
How and where to get Marvelon?
Marvelon is available with a prescription only. It is not available over the counter at a pharmacy.
Now Patient does not allow customers to buy Marvelon directly. Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for a contraceptive, you can discuss if Marvelon is a suitable treatment option for you.
At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by Now Patient.
Dosage and strength for Marvelon for contraception
Marvelon pills are available in tablet form containing 150 micrograms desogestrel and 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol.
Information about how to take Marvelon for contraception
Take 1 Marvelon tablet each day, at the same time for 21 days. After 21 days, you will take a 7 day break from taking Marvelon tablets. You should expect a withdrawal bleed during your pill-free week. Start a new pack of Marvelon tablets on day 8. Take your first tablet in order of the day of the week and follow the directions printed on the pack.
If you forget to take a Marvelon tablet, take the missed pill as soon as you are able to do so. You will need to use extra precautions such as a condom for the next 7 days. Also, read the patient information leaflet or speak to your healthcare provider if you need further medical advice.
What happens if you take too much Marvelon?
If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much Marvelon and you experience any of the following side effects.
What are the side effects of Marvelon?
Side effects of Marvelon are split into common and serious.
Common side effects include:
- Breast tenderness
- Breast pain
- Weight changes
- Breakthrough bleeding between periods
- Mood changes
- Headache and migraine
- Nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Vaginal discharge
- Vaginal thrush
- High blood pressure
- Hair loss
Serious side effects include:
- Increased risk of blood clots
- Cervical cancer
- Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.
If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.
- Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- You’re breathing very fast or shortness of breath (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
- Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
- Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- Someone faints and cannot be woken up
Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient
Information about taking Marvelon at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements
There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Marvelon. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements or other medications such as:
- Epilepsy treatments – phenytoin, phenobarbital or carbamazepine
- Rifampicin
- HIV infection medicines – ritonavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine, efavirenz
- Hepatitis C virus medicines – telaprevir or boceprevir
- Antifungal medicines – ketoconazole or griseofulvin
- St John’s Wort
- Medicines for high blood pressure, chest pain or irregular heartbeats – diltiazem or verapamil
Why might Marvelon not work for contraception?
Marvelon may not work for you and common reasons may be:
- Missed pills
- Taking other medicines that interfere with Marvelon
- Marvelon not being absorbed due to vomiting and diarrhoea
Can Marvelon taken for contraception be taken long term?
Using medication like Marvelon is safe, provided your doctor has approved it. You should speak to your doctor when deciding to stay on hormonal contraception long term.
Is there a herbal Marvelon?
No. Herbal Marvelon does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.
Can women use Marvelon?
Women can take Marvelon for contraception, but it is not advised when breast-feeding. Speak to your doctor if you are considering taking Marvelon while you are breast-feeding.
Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Marvelon?
You can eat and drink normally when taking Marvelon
Alternatives to Marvelon
Alternative methods of contraception include:
- Implants
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Oral birth control pills (combined oral contraceptive pill and progestogen only pill)
- Vaginal rings
- Barrier method – condoms, diaphragms
- Tubal ligation and vasectomy
- Emergency contraception
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information in this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
Important Information
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Does Marvelon help clear skin?
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Which pill is the best contraceptive?
What is the difference between Marvelon 21 and Marvelon 28?
Do Marvelon pills have estrogen?
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Is Marvelon available in the UK?
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Is Marvelon any good?
Does Marvelon stop periods?
What is equivalent to Marvelon?
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