Mercilon is a combined contraceptive pill which helps prevent unwanted pregnancy. It is composed of desogestrel, a synthetic version of progesterone and ethynylestradiol, a synthetic version of oestrogen.

Mercilon helps prevent pregnancy by preventing the release of an egg into the womb during the menstrual cycle. 

Some other benefits of the drug include:

• It makes the period more regular, lighter and reduces the loss of blood

• It helps ease painful periods

• It helps reduce the risk of ovarian cysts.

Mercilon has 99% effectiveness in preventing an unwanted pregnancy when used correctly.

Mercilon works by thickening the vaginal fluid to help prevent the sperm from reaching an egg and changing the lining of the womb to prevent attachment of a fertilized egg.

If you start using the pill on the first to the fifth day of your period, you will be protected against pregnancy immediately. If you start taking it later during the cycle (making sure that you are not pregnant), you will need to use additional contraception methods like condoms for at least seven days until the Mercilon pill starts working.

There is no ideal way of coming off the pill. You can stop taking it during the course, or complete your 21-day pack and then stop the pill.

Mercilon can be purchased online via MedsNow. However, this is a prescription-only medication since the patch is not suited for each and everyone. Hence, you will need to consult your GP or any prescriber who is not connected with any pharmacy to ensure that this patch is the right medication for you.

Mercilon is a monophasic pill. Each dose of the pill contains the same level of hormones. It comes in strips of 21 pills, each pill is marked with the day of the week it has to be taken on. It is best to take Mercilon at the same time each day. Begin by taking the pill marked for the correct day of the week. Follow the directions as mentioned on the strip. Take one pill each day, until you have consumed all the 21 pills for the 21 days. Swallow a pill whole, you can take it with or without water. Do not crush or chew the pill.

After you have consumed the 21 pills, you will have seven days of pill-free days. You may also experience a withdrawal bleed like your normal menstrual period after taking the last of the 21 pills. But you need not wait until the bleeding gets over to start the next pack. Start the new pack immediately after the last day of the pill-free week.

Consume one Mercilon pill every day for 21 days, followed by a pill-free week. Start the new pack immediately after the last day of the pill-free week.

Mercilon is a prescription-only medicine. It shouldn’t be taken if: 

• You have ever had a blood clot

• You suffer from angina or any other heart ailment

• You suffer from migraines

• You are diabetic

• You suffer from pancreatitis

• You have suffered from breast cancer 

• You have or have had a liver tumour or other liver problems

• You experience unexplained vaginal bleeding

• You are above 35 years of age and you smoke

• You have a family history of heart attack or stroke

Like any other prescription-only medicine, these are the possible side effects of Mercilon:

• Abdominal pain

• Nausea or vomiting

• Headache or migraine

• Weight changes

• Breast enlargement or tenderness

• Water retention

• Vaginal thrush

• Changes in menstrual bleeding

• Depression

• Menstrual spotting or breakthrough bleeding

• Decreased sex drive

• Skin reactions

• Rise in blood pressure

• Irregular brown patches on the skin

• Liver problems

• Gallstone

• Blood clots in the blood vessels

Mercilon is used to prevent pregnancy and hence, it should not be used during pregnancy. If you think you are pregnant when you taking the pills, stop the medicine immediately and consult your doctor right away.

Also, it is not recommended to take the medicine while breastfeeding for up to six weeks after birth as they may cause a reduction in the production of breast milk.

The following medicines may reduce the effectiveness of the medicine at preventing pregnancy:

• antiepileptic medicines like carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, perampanel, phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin or topiramate

• medicines for HIV like cobicistat, efavirenz, nevirapine or ritonavir

• antifungal medicine griseofulvin

• antibiotics rifabutin or rifampicin for tuberculosis

• immunosuppressants for arthritis

• herbal medications like St. John’s wort

If you forget to take one pill, take the missed pill as soon as you remember. You may even need to take two pills at the same time. Then continue taking the rest of the medicines in the pack as scheduled. Missing one pill does not mean that you are not protected. You don’t have to use extra contraception.

No serious side effects have been reported in case someone has taken an overdose of the pills. Still, it is recommended to consult the doctor right away.

• Mercilon causes weight gain?
  The hormones in Mercilon can affect your weight by changing:

• the way your body retains water, fat and muscle

• the strength of your metabolism and food processing mechanism
  
  Mercilon can trigger both weight gain and weight loss as a side effect. However, this effect should subside with 2 - 3 months.

• Is Mercilon safe?
  Mercilon is generally considered safe. Contraceptive pills come with the risk of developing blood clots. For mercilon, the risk factor is that 2 out of 10,000 women may develop blood clots.

• What is the difference between Mercilon and Marvelon?
  Both Mercilon and Marvelon are contraceptive pills. However, their working mechanisms are slightly different. Mercilon works by thickening the vaginal fluid and preventing the sperm from reaching the egg and changing the lining of the womb to prevent a fertilized egg from getting attached to the lining. Marvelon, on the other hand, stops the egg from developing fully during the menstruation period and thus prevents fertilization. 

• Does Mercilon cause blood clots?
  Contraceptive pills do come with the risk of developing blood clots. Hence, if you are concerned, it is best you consult your doctor for clarity.

• Can you take Mercilon if you smoke?
  No, you must not smoke when you are using Mercilon. 

• Can I take Mercilon if I'm breastfeeding?
  It is not recommended to take the medicine while breastfeeding for up to six weeks (weaning period) after birth as it may cause a reduction in the production of breast milk.

• What if I have vomiting or diarrhoea?
  If you vomit within two hours of taking the pill or have severe diarrhoea, you may not be protected against pregnancy. If this happens, take a new pill as soon as you feel better and continue taking the other pills as per the schedule. You will need to use a condom till you are ill.

• What if I get pregnant while taking Mercilon?
  If you think you are pregnant when you taking the pills, stop the medicine immediately and consult your doctor right away.