Browse the following information below to gain knowledge about the contraceptive pill, Gedarel. Common questions about its ingredients, the process of how it works, the precautions and side effects are answered in this article.
What is Gedarel?
Gedarel is a combined oral contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. Each Gedarel pill contains two types of female sex hormones namely, ethinylestradiol, an oestrogen and the progesterone, desogestrel.
How Does Gedarel Pill Work?
A combined contraceptive pill such as Gedarel protects you against pregnancy in three ways.
The hormones contained in each pill will:
- stop the ovary from releasing an egg each month preventing ovulation
- thickens the fluid in your cervix (at the neck of the womb) preventing the sperm from reaching the egg.
- alter the lining of the womb or uterus to make it less conducive to accept a fertilised egg.
How Do I Take Gedarel?
The contraceptive pill Gedarel is an effective and reversible form of contraception if taken correctly. But sometimes there are cases wherein the pill’s effectiveness may be reduced, or you may have to stop taking it.
In these circumstances, either you abstain from having sex or use other methods of contraception such as condoms.
Take note, combined oral contraceptive pills like Gedarel are not protection against sexually transmitted diseases (such as AIDS). Only condoms can help prevent this.
What Is The Correct Gedarel Dosage?
Always follow the instructions given to you by your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. The daily dose is one tablet per day.
- It is recommended to take your pill at about the same time each day to remind you not to forget your dose. You may prefer to take it either last thing at night or first thing in the morning.
- Swallow each pill whole, with water or any liquid if necessary.
Each pack of Gedarel has 1 calendar strip of 21 coated pills. The calendar strip will remind you to take your daily dose. The strip is marked with the days of the week and you should follow the direction of the arrow for 21 days or until the strip is empty. After finishing 21 days, you will stop taking the tablets for 7 days. During this time, you will experience a withdrawal symptom of bleeding or monthly period, usually on the second or third day. Start a new Gedarel pack immediately after the 7th day of your break. You have to start on this 8th day even if you still have your bleeding or period.
Practice taking the pill at the same time every day.
If you need more details about taking your pill, please see the Patient Information Leaflet included in the packet. Keep it handy as it contains lots of useful, detailed information all about taking your pill.
Can You Take Gedarel Pill With Other Medications?
Some medicines may lower the effectiveness of your pill and may mean that you need to take extra contraceptive methods.
These medications include:
- antibiotics
- St John’s Worts
- Epilepsy medicines
- tuberculosis medications (rifabutin, rifampicin)
- HIV infection medicines
- treatment for hepatitis C virus infections (telaprevir, boceprevir)
- fungal infection treatments (griseofulvin)
- Increase in the blood pressure medicines (bosentan)
Your pill may also interact and stop other medicines from working properly such as ciclosporin (an immunosuppressant) and lamotrigine (to treat epilepsy).
Seek advice from your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are unsure about taking other medicines in combination with your pill.
Which Medical Conditions May Affect Gedarel?
If you have pre-existing medical conditions, you need to consult your doctor before starting Gedarel pills. It is crucial to do a check-up especially if your condition is included in the list below:
- Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Systemic Lupus erythematosus
- Haemolytic Uraemic syndrome or blood clotting disorder
- Sickle cell anaemia
- Elevated levels of fat in the blood
- Recently had childbirth
- Inflammation in the veins under the skin
- Varicose veins
- Family history of breast cancer
- Liver or gallbladder diseases
- Diabetes
- Mood changes or depression
If you want to know the opinions of other women who have tried this pill, you may read Gedarel reviews online. This will give you personalized insights into their individual experiences.
