CompositionDesolon Tablet is used to prevent pregnancy. It is a combined oral contraceptive pill containing desogestrel 150mcg, a progestogen, and ethinylestradiol 30mcg, an oestrogen.
This medicine works mainly by stopping the release of an egg each month and thickening the mucus at the neck of the womb. It may also make periods more regular, lighter and less painful. Take one tablet at the same time every day for 21 days, then have a 7-day break, as directed. If you miss a pill, vomit within a few hours of taking one, or have severe diarrhoea, follow the leaflet's missed-pill advice and use condoms if needed.
Taking the pill at the same time each day, using a reminder, and not smoking make it safer and more effective. It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so use condoms for that.
Combined pills slightly increase the risk of blood clots, and pills containing desogestrel carry a somewhat higher clot risk than some others. Do not take it if you smoke and are over 35, have had a blood clot, stroke or heart attack, have migraine with aura, high blood pressure that is not controlled, liver disease, or breast cancer. Tell your doctor about other medicines you take, as some epilepsy medicines, rifampicin, HIV medicines and St John's wort make the pill less effective. Seek medical help straight away for pain or swelling in one leg, chest pain, sudden breathlessness, a severe headache, weakness or numbness on one side, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
