Marvelon Contraceptive Pill

Marvelon pill is a combined oral contraceptive pill taken to prevent pregnancy. It contains synthetic versions of 2 female hormones, oestrogen (30mcg per pill) and progesterone (150mcg per pill) that work together to stop you getting pregnant.

Marvelon can also improve acne, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and can help regulate heavy or painful periods.

Marvelon is a prescription-only medication which is manufactured by Merck, Sharp, and Dohme Ltd.

Marvelon contains the active ingredients ethinylestradiol and desogestrel which work in 3 ways to prevent pregnancy:

1. Prevents ovulation

Your ovaries release an egg each month during a process called ovulation. If this egg becomes fertilised, you’ll become pregnant. If it is not fertilised, the egg will leave your body and the process starts again. The artificial hormones in combined pills stop your ovaries from releasing this egg every month, which prevents pregnancy.

2. Thickens cervical mucus

The Marvelon contraceptive pill and other combined pills also increase the thickness of your mucus at the neck of the womb, which will make it more difficult for sperm to cross into the womb and fertilise an egg.

3. Thins the womb lining

Marvelon also thins the lining of the womb (endometrium), which will make it more difficult for a fertilised egg to successfully implant itself and grow.

How long does Marvelon take to work?

If you start taking Marvelon on days 1 to 5 of your period, you’ll be protected from pregnancy straight away.

If you start Marvelon after day 5 of your period, you’ll need to use an additional form of contraception, such as condoms, for 7 days. You will be protected from pregnancy after 7 days.

How effective is Marvelon?

When the Marvelon pill is taken perfectly, it will be over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. This means that fewer than 1 in 100 people who use this form of contraception will get pregnant within 1 year.

However, real-life data shows that around 9 in 100 people who use a combined pill like Marvelon will get pregnant. That means it’s more like 91% effective because of factors like forgetting to take it, incorrect use, or illness such as being sick or having diarrhoea.

You should take 1 Marvelon pill once a day with water if needed.

The medication comes in strips of 21 tablets. Marvelon tablets are labelled with the day of the week to help you keep track of your daily dosage and to see if you’ve missed a dose.

Take Marvelon as follows:

• swallow 1 pill marked with the correct day of the week, so if it is Tuesday, take a pill marked ‘Tues’
• continue taking 1 pill each day following the directions of the arrows printed on the blister pack until you have finished all 21 pills

Once you’ve taken all 21 Marvelon pills and reached the end of the strip, you will usually take a break from the medication for 7 days.

During the 7-day break, you’ll most likely have a ‘withdrawal bleed’ which will be similar to your period. Once the 7 days are up, you should continue taking Marvelon and start a new strip. If you’ve been taking your Marvelon pills correctly before the break and start taking them again at the right time, you’ll be protected against pregnancy during the 7 pill-free days.

Some people prefer not to take a 7-day break. You can skip the 7-day break safely if you want to avoid having a breakthrough bleed for any reason (such as a special event or holiday).

You can also take Marvelon pills regularly without a break or with a shorter break if you prefer, though you should speak to your doctor first.

When to take Marvelon

You can take the pill at any time of the day or night with a full or empty stomach. It’s best to try and take the pill around the same time each day to help you remember to take it.

What if I miss a dose of Marvelon?

If you miss a pill and it is:

1. Less than 12 hours since you should have taken the pill, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 pills on the same day, then take your next pill as usual.
2. More than 12 hours since your missed pill or you have missed more than 1 pill, take the most recently missed pill straight away but leave any earlier missed pills in the strip. Then, take your next scheduled pill as normal. You will need to use additional contraception, like condoms, for 7 days. Check to see how many pills are left in the strip after the most recently missed one.

If there are 7 or more pills still in the pack, use extra contraception for 7 days. When you have finished the strip, have your normal 7 pill-free days before starting your next Marvelon strip.

If there are less than 7 pills left in the strip, you must use extra contraception for 7 days. When you finish the current strip, you should start the next one the next day without a break. If you do not have a withdrawal bleed when you have finished the second strip, do a pregnancy test.

If you missed at least 1 pill in the first week of your strip and you had sex that week, there is a chance you could be pregnant. You should contact your doctor, pharmacist, or family planning nurse as soon as possible for advice.

What if I take too much Marvelon?

If you take more than 1 Marvelon pill, it is unlikely to do any harm, but it may make you feel sick, be sick, or have some vaginal bleeding. If you have any of these symptoms or you are concerned, contact your doctor for advice.

What if I throw up after taking Marvelon?

If you are sick or have diarrhoea, your body may not get the usual dose of hormones from the pill.

If you vomit within 3 to 4 hours of taking the pill, this is similar to a missed pill. Follow the instructions under the heading ‘What if I miss a dose of Marvelon?, or in your patient information leaflet.

If you have severe diarrhoea for more than 12 hours after taking Marvelon, follow the instructions for missing a pill as your pill may not have absorbed properly.

Marvelon is a prescription-only medication, so you will need to speak to a doctor to obtain it. It is available in most UK pharmacies with a prescription, or you can request Marvelon from reputable online services or the NHS.

Can I buy Marvelon online?

Yes, you can request Marvelon from ZAVA in the UK by:

1. Filling out a brief health and lifestyle questionnaire.
2. Requesting your preferred treatment and making payment.
3. One of our doctors will review your treatment request and questionnaire answers.
4. If approved, your treatment will be posted to your address or made available for collection at your local Post Office.
5. If your request is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Can I buy Marvelon over the counter?

No, Marvelon is a prescription-only medication, so it is not available over the counter.

An alternative over-the-counter contraceptive pill is Hana.

Can I get Marvelon on the NHS?

Yes, Marvelon may be available from the NHS, but you will need to speak to your doctor to see if it is available for you and to obtain a prescription.

Like all medications, Marvelon can cause side effects. However, not everyone will experience them.

Common side effects that can affect up to 1 in 10 people include:

• breast tenderness or pain
• headaches
• low mood and mood swings
• feeling sick (nausea)
• stomach pain
• weight gain

Uncommon side effects affecting up to 1 in 100 people include:

• enlarged breasts
• low sex drive
• migraines (seek medical attention if severe)
• skin problems or rash
• being sick (vomiting)
• diarrhoea
• fluid retention (swollen hands, feet, or ankles)

Rare side effects may affect up to 1 in 1000 people include:

• a milky fluid secreted from the nipple
• bruise-like swelling to the shins (erythema nodosum)
• eye discomfort for those who wear contact lenses
• harmful blood clots
• increase in libido
• irregular bleeding or changes in vaginal secretions
• skin eruption with a lesion (erythema multiforme)
• weight loss
• allergic reaction/hypersensitivity

How long do Marvelon side effects last?

Most Marvelon side effects are mild and short-lasting. They should go away on their own once your body gets used to the medication, normally within 3 months. If you are still getting side effects after this time or are finding them difficult to manage, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

What to do if you get Marvelon side effects

Most mild Marvelon side effects can be managed at home by:

• taking over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol to manage pain associated with headaches, cramps, or breast tenderness
• drinking plenty of clear fluid to keep you hydrated and manage symptoms like headaches and feeling sick
• eating smaller, more frequent meals if you are feeling sick
• applying a hot compress to your lower abdomen to manage cramps

If you experience any serious side effects, call 999 or go to A&E straight away:

• signs of an allergic reaction (swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, breathing or swallowing difficulties)
• blood clot symptoms (sudden loss of vision, heart attack, stroke, swollen, painful leg, or severe stomach pain)

Marvelon is an effective contraceptive, however, this does not mean it is right for everybody.

You should not take Marvelon if you:

• have or have ever had a blood clot in a blood vessel of your legs, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• have or have ever had a blood clot in a blood in your lungs, such as pulmonary embolism (PE) or in other organs
• know you have a disorder affecting your blood from clotting
• need an operation or if you are off your feet for a long time
• have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• have or have ever had angina pectoris (a condition that causes severe chest pain)
• have any diseases that may increase your risk of a clot in the arteries
• have severe diabetes with blood vessel damage
• have very high blood pressure
• have high levels of fat in the blood such as cholesterol or triglycerides
• have a condition known as hyperhomocysteinaemia
• have or have ever had a type of migraine called migraine with aura
• have or have recently had a severe liver disease
• have ever had a liver tumour
• have or have had pancreatitis
• are pregnant or might be pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have cancer affected that is sensitive to sex hormones – such as some cancers of the breast, womb lining, or ovary
• have vaginal bleeding that has not been explained by your doctor
• are allergic to any of the ingredients in Marvelon
• have hepatitis C and are taking medication

You should tell your doctor before taking Marvelon if you:

• are over 35 years old and you smoke, or you quit less than a year ago
• are overweight
• suspect you’re pregnant
• are taking any other medication
• have or have ever had blood clots
• have had a stroke
• have a heart abnormality
• suffer from migraines
• have or have had breast or cervical cancer
• have or have had a disease of the liver or gallbladder
• have or have had diabetes

Marvelon and other medications

Some medications can interfere with Marvelon and stop it from working properly. You should let your doctor know if you are taking any medications, especially medications for the following:

• epilepsy
• tuberculosis
• HIV infection
• Hepatitis C
• other infectious diseases
• high blood pressure or blood vessels in the lung
• depression or anxiety

Let your doctor know before taking Marvelon if you are or are going to take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications.

Marvelon will not be suitable for everyone, whether it’s due to the side effects, your age, or your medical history. You may need to find an alternative treatment. Fortunately, there are many types of contraceptives on offer to prevent pregnancy.

A Marvelon alternative includes other types of combined pills like:

• Microgynon
• Yasmin
• Rigevidon

If a combined pill isn't suitable for you, there are also a number of mini pills (progesterone-only pills) such as:

• Cerazette
• Cerelle
• Hana
• Zelleta

Long-lasting contraceptives that will be available through your GP or a family planning clinic include contraceptive implants, injectable contraception and the contraceptive coil.

➤ For more information on choosing a contraceptive pill, see our pages on the best contraceptive pill and contraceptive pill brands.

Marvelon and Rigevidon are both combined pills but contain different types of man-made progesterone. This means that if you are sensitive or get side effects from one type of progesterone, you may be able to take another without the same effects.

Marvelon and Microgynon are both combined pills but contain different types of man-made progesterone. Microgynon contains the same active ingredients as Rigevidon. If you are sensitive or get side effects from one type of progesterone, you may be able to take another with better results.