Marvelon

What is Marvelon?

Marvelon is a combined contraceptive pill that contains 2 artificial hormones: 150 micrograms (mcg) of desogestrel (progesterone) and 30 mcg of ethinylestradiol (oestrogen).

Like other combined oral contraceptives (COCs), Marvelon is reliable and reversible. When used correctly, it is over 99% effective at preventing unwanted pregnancy. However, when typical use is taken into consideration, such as being sick, having severe diarrhoea, or missing pills, it is closer to being 91% effective. That means 9 out of 100 people taking Marvelon will get pregnant each year.

In addition to being an effective birth control pill, Marvelon can also reduce premenstrual symptoms and make your periods more regular and less painful.

While Marvelon can prevent pregnancy, it does not prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea or HIV. To prevent the transmission of STIs, you should use condoms.

How Does Marvelon Work?

Marvelon contains two ingredients that mimic the natural female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, called ethinylestradiol and desogestrel. These components work together to prevent pregnancy in 3 ways:

1. Prevents ovulation: Marvelon's main action is to stop the release of an egg from the ovaries each month.
2. Thickens cervical mucus: Makes it difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix and enter the womb.
3. Thins the womb lining (endometrium): A thinner womb lining makes it less suitable for a fertilised egg to implant.

Both ethinylestradiol and desogestrel are synthetic hormones designed to be absorbed more efficiently when taken orally and to be more potent.

How Long Does the Marvelon Pill Take to Work?

Marvelon works straight away to prevent pregnancy if it's taken on the first day of your period. Otherwise, you should wait until day 5 and use additional contraception such as condoms until you have correctly taken your first 7 pills. After this, you will be protected from pregnancy, provided you continue to take Marvelon as prescribed.

How To Take Marvelon

You must take Marvelon as instructed by your doctor to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.

Marvelon is available in 21-pill strips, each marked with the corresponding day of the week.

1. Start by taking a pill marked with the correct day of the week.
2. Follow the arrows on the strip. Take one pill each day until you finish all 21 pills.
3. Once you have finished the strip, you should take a 7-day break from taking any pills. If you finish your last pill on a Friday, you should take the first pill of your next pack on the Saturday of the next week.
4. During your 7-day pill-free break, you should have a withdrawal bleed similar to a period. As long as you have taken your pills correctly, you don't need to use additional contraception during these seven pill-free days.
5. You should start your next strip even if you are still bleeding. If taken correctly, you should take the first pill of each pack on the same day.

Swallow each pill whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the pills.

When Should I Start Taking Marvelon?

There are two ways to start taking Marvelon. These apply regardless of whether you're brand new to the medication or returning to it after a break. Which method to use depends on where you are in your menstrual cycle.

1. Start of Cycle: If you start taking Marvelon on the first day of your period, you will be protected right away.
2. During Cycle: If your period has already started, begin taking Marvelon on the 5th day of your period, regardless of whether your bleeding has stopped. You must use additional contraception until you have taken the first seven pills correctly.

How to Switch to Marvelon From Another Combined Pill

If you are taking another contraceptive pill, speak to your doctor or clinician before switching to Marvelon. They will guide you through the process safely and effectively. Instructions will usually depend on what type of pill you're currently using and are as follows:

• 21-day pill: Begin taking Marvelon the day after your previous strip ends.
• 28-day pill: Start taking Marvelon the day after your last active pill.

In both cases, you will be protected from pregnancy straight away from taking your first Marvelon pill. However, you will not experience a withdrawal bleed until you complete your first full strip.

How to Switch to Marvelon From a Mini Pill

If you are taking a progestogen-only pill (mini pill or POP), start taking Marvelon on the first day of bleeding, even if you have taken a progestogen-only pill on that day. In this case, you will be protected right away. If you don't have a withdrawal bleed while taking the progestogen-only pill, you can stop taking it and start taking Marvelon the next day. However, you will need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for the first 7 days.

If you are unsure when to start or how to take Marvelon, speak to your doctor or ask a pharmacist for advice.

What Should I Do if I Miss a Marvelon Pill?

If you miss a pill, what you need to do will depend on how much time has elapsed. For anything up to 12 hours overdue, take Marvelon straight away and then continue taking your pills at the normal time, even if that means taking 2 pills in one day. You will still be protected against pregnancy.

If you should have taken your pill more than 12 hours ago, or have missed more than one tablet, follow the advice below:

• Immediately take the most recently missed pill
• Leave any other missed tablets in the strip
• Take your next pills as usual, even if that involves having 2 the same day
• Use extra contraception (like condoms) for the next 7 days

What to do next depends on how many Marvelon pills you currently have in your pack:

7 or More Tablets in the Pack:

• Remember to use additional precautions for the next 7 days
• When you finish your strip, take your usual pill-free break for 7 days before starting a new one

Fewer than 7 Tablets in the Pack:

• Remember that you need extra precautions for the next 7 days
• When you finish your current strip of tablets, start the next one the following day. Do not take a pill-free gap
• If you don't experience a withdrawal bleed after finishing the second strip, take a pregnancy test before starting a new one

It's important to note that if you miss one or more pills for your first week of the strip (days 1 to 7) and have unprotected sex during that week, there is a chance of becoming pregnant. Speak to your clinician or family planning nurse for advice, as you may need emergency contraception.

If you miss any of the pills and do not experience a withdrawal bleed in the first pill-free break, you might be pregnant. Speak to your doctor as soon as possible, or take a pregnancy test.

If you delay the start of the new strip or extend your 7-day pill-free break, your protection may be reduced. If you had sex in the last 7 days in either scenario, speak to your doctor or a pharmacist for advice. You may require emergency contraception. You should also use additional contraception for 7 days.

What Should I Do If I Accidentally Take More Marvelon Than I Should?

If you take more than one Marvelon pill, it is unlikely to cause you any harm, but you may feel sick, vomit, or have some vaginal bleeding. If you get any of these symptoms, speak to your clinician for more advice.

What If I Am Sick Or Have Diarrhoea While Taking Marvelon?

If you are sick or have severe diarrhoea, your body may not absorb all of the ingredients in Marvelon. This could negatively impact the medication's efficacy.

How you should act in this situation depends on the symptoms you're experiencing:

• If you are sick (vomit) within 3 to 4 hours of taking your pill, you should follow the advice for missed pills.
• If you have severe diarrhoea for more than 12 hours while taking Marvelon, follow the instructions for a missed pill that is more than 12 hours late.

Should your upset stomach continue or get worse, speak to your clinician as they may recommend an alternative method of contraception.

Marvelon Side Effects and Cautions

There's no one-size-fits-all solution to medical conditions. Each treatment will have different ingredients and mechanisms of action, so what is safe and suitable for one person may not be so for another.

As a result, it's essential to have a clear understanding of potential side effects and warnings, so you can make a more informed decision about your chosen medication. If you're ever unsure, consult a clinician before taking anything.

Marvelon Side Effects

All medicines carry the risk of side effects, though not everyone will experience them. You must familiarise yourself with the side effects associated with Marvelon prior to starting treatment.

Potential Marvelon side effects include:

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of Marvelon side effects. Further information on the safety of the medication is available in the Patient Information Leaflet.

If you experience any side effects, whether listed above or in the patient information leaflet, please report them to your doctor or ask a pharmacist for advice. Alternatively, you can report them to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority's Yellow Card Scheme.

Potential Allergic Reaction

Do not take Marvelon if you are allergic to desogestrel, ethinylestradiol or any of its other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.

Marvelon contains lactose. Speak to your doctor before starting the treatment if you have been told you are sensitive to certain sugars.

If you experience the signs of an allergic reaction after taking Marvelon, stop taking Marvelon immediately. Seek immediate medical attention by going directly to your nearest accident and emergency department. Remember to take the packaging and any remaining medication with you, so that the doctors treating you know exactly what and how much you took.

Signs of an allergic reaction can include:

• Chest tightening
• Dry, red and cracked skin
• Itchy, red, watery eyes
• Raised, itchy, red rash (hives)
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, eyes or face
• Tummy pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Wheezing

Risk of Blood Clots

Combined pills, like Marvelon, can slightly increase the risk of blood clots in users compared to people who have never taken them. If you experience any signs of a blood clot, seek urgent medical attention.

Things to watch out for include:

• Swelling in one leg
• Sudden unexplained breathlessness or rapid breathing
• Immediate loss of vision
• Chest pain, discomfort, pressure, or heaviness
• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially down one side of the body
• Severe headache
• Coughing up blood

The risk of a blood clot in different people is shown in the table below:

The risk of developing a blood clot while taking Marvelon pills is highest during the first year of treatment, or if you're restarting the medication after a break of 4 weeks or more. Other factors can also influence the likelihood of complications arising, such as obesity, smoking, and a family history of blood clots. If you're due to have elective surgery or be off your feet for an extended period of time, it may not be suitable to use Marvelon, and other forms of contraception should be considered.

You can learn more about the risk of blood clots while taking Marvelon in section 4.4 of the Summary of Product Characteristics, which is available online. In addition, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) provides guidance about the risk of blood clots while taking combined oral contraceptive pills, while you can also consult the College of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (CoSRH).

As part of your contraceptive consultation, our clinicians will discuss your medical and family history to make sure Marvelon is safe and suitable for you to take.

Marvelon and The Risk of Breast Cancer

If you have or have ever had breast cancer, you should not take the pill as it slightly increases your risk. The risk also goes up the longer you stay on it, but returns to normal after 10 years of stopping.

The risk of getting breast cancer is:

• 16 out of 10,000 women will get it by the time they are 35
• 17 to 18 out of 10,000 women will have breast cancer by 35 if they take the pill for 5 years in their early twenties
• 100 out of 10,000 women who have never taken the pill will get breast cancer by the time they are 45
• 110 out of 10,000 women who take the pill for 5 years in their early thirties will get breast cancer by the time they are 45

The risk of breast cancer is increased if you:

• Have a close relative who has had breast cancer
• Are seriously overweight

Despite this, it's important to note that the overall risk of developing breast cancer is small. If you stop taking Marvelon, this will return to normal over time.

Who Should Not Take Marvelon?

Marvelon is not suitable for everyone. For example, it is generally not recommended if you are aged 35 or over and smoke, as this increases the risk of cardiovascular complications such as blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. Those who smoke 15 cigarettes or more a day are advised not to take combined contraceptives.

Some people may also be better suited to alternative forms of contraception, depending on their medical history and how they respond to hormonal medications. If you're ever unsure about the right treatment for you, consult your doctor or clinician.

Do not take Marvelon if you:

• are or suspect you might be pregnant
• have a history of blood clots (especially DVT or PE)
• have cancer affected by sex hormones (cancer of the breast, womb lining or ovary)
• have hepatitis C and are taking medicines containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir or dasabuvir
• have or had a liver tumour
• have or had pancreatitis associated with fatty substances in your blood
• have or have had a type of migraine called "migraine with aura"
• have or have recently had a severe liver disease
• have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• have severe hypertension
• have known thrombophilia

Speak to your doctor before taking Marvelon if you:

• have brown patches on your face or body (chloasma)
• have diabetes
• have or ever had a problem with your heart, circulation or blood clotting
• have or ever had migraines
• have or ever had problems with your liver or kidneys
• have or ever had severe depression
• have or had problems while taking contraceptive pills

If you are unsure whether it is safe for you to take Marvelon, or have any underlying medical conditions (even if not listed above), speak to your doctor before starting treatment.

Marvelon and Other Medicines

Before taking Marvelon, let your clinician know if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications. Some medicines can stop Marvelon from working properly. These include:

• Epilepsy medicines, including primidone, phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate, modafinil
• Tuberculosis (rifampicin, rifabutin)
• HIV infection, such as ritonavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine, and efavirenz
• Hepatitis C infection, such as boceprevir, telaprevir
• Griseofulvin
• Bosentan for treating high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs
• St. John's Wort (a herbal remedy)

It's important to note that most antibiotics don't affect combined oral contraceptives and are safe to use, contrary to a common misconception. However, medications that affect liver enzymes, such as rifampicin and rifabutin, can reduce Marvelon's effectiveness.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

You should always speak to your doctor before taking any medicine if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Marvelon is not suitable if you know or think you are pregnant, or if you're planning on conceiving. The same is true if you're currently breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using Marvelon, stop taking it and speak to a doctor as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• Cochrane (2012): Combined oral contraceptive pills for treatment of acne.
• Cochrane (2011): Combination contraceptives: effects on weight.
• EMC (2024): Marvelon Tablets.
• EMC: Patient Information Leaflet.
• International Journal of Fertility and Menopausal Studies (1996): Effects on acne of two oral contraceptives containing desogestrel and cyproterone acetate.
• NHS (2024): How well contraception works at preventing pregnancy.
• MHRA (2014): Combined hormonal contraceptives and venous thromboembolism: review confirms risk is small.
• CoSRH (2025): UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use.