Mercilon is a type of contraceptive pill called the combined pill that contains man-made versions of the female hormones, oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progesterone (desogestrel).

Mercilon contains a low dose of oestrogen, 20mcg (micrograms) compared to standard doses of 30 to 35mcg, reducing the risk of adverse events, such as blood clots and other side effects. When taken correctly, low-dose pills, like Mercilon, are just as effective as other combined pills at preventing pregnancy.

Mercilon contains a combination of ethinylestradiol and desogestrel, synthetic versions of female sex hormones. Mercilon, and other combined contraceptive pills, work to stop pregnancy from happening by:

• stopping an egg from being released from your ovaries (ovulation)
• thickening the cervical fluid to make it difficult for sperm to enter your womb
• thinning the womb lining so a fertilised egg cannot attach itself

How effective is Mercilon?

Mercilon, like other combined pills, is over 99% effective when it is taken correctly. However, this is likely to be closer to 91% when factors, such as forgetting to take the pill and illness are taken into consideration.

Mercilon should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Each pill should be swallowed whole with water, if needed.

Mercilon is supplied in strips of 21 pills. One pill should be taken every day for 21 days.

To take Mercilon correctly:

1. Take your pill at the same time every day.
2. Start the strip by taking the pill marked with the correct, corresponding day of the week.
3. Continue taking 1 pill each day by following the direction of the arrows printed on the strip for 21 days.
4. Then have a 7-day break by taking no pills for 7 days, then take the next pill on the 8th day
5. If you take your last pill in the strip on a Sunday, you will take the first pill from your new strip on the Monday of the following week.
6. You should experience a withdrawal bleed, similar to a period, within a few days of your pill-free break.
7. After 7 pill-free days, start your new strip on the 8th day, even if you are still bleeding.

If you take Mercilon correctly, you will start each new strip on the same day each week and you’ll be protected against pregnancy.

When to take Mercilon

Mercilon should be taken at the same time each day. Choose a time that’s most convenient for you, such as first thing in the morning or just before going to bed.

Some people find it helpful to pair taking their pill with another daily chore such as brushing their teeth. If you are worried you might forget to take your Mercilon pill, then setting an alarm as a reminder is helpful.

You can start taking Mercilon at any time during your menstrual cycle but you may not be protected against pregnancy straight away. Starting Mercilon on day 1 of your cycle, or the day you get your period, will mean you're protected immediately.

If your period has already begun, start taking Mercilon on day 5, even if the bleeding hasn’t stopped. You will also need to use another method of contraception, such as condoms, for 7 days.

How often to take Mercilon

You will need to take 1 Mercilon tablet every day for 21 days followed by a 7-day pill-free break. You should start a new Mercilon strip after 7 days.

If you want to delay your period, you should start the next strip of Mercilon pills without having a 7-day break.

How long do you need to take Mercilon for?

You will need to take Mercilon for as long as you do not want to get pregnant.

If you are planning to have a baby, you can stop taking Mercilon at any time. It is recommended that you use another form of contraception, such as condoms, until you have had a proper period after stopping the pill as this can help your doctor or midwife tell you when your baby is due. However, it is not harmful to you or your baby if you become pregnant straight away.

What should I do if I forget to take the pill?

If you miss a Mercilon pill and it is less than 12 hours late: take the missed pill as soon as you remember and any further pills as usual, even if that means taking 2 pills in the same day. You will still be protected against pregnancy.

If you are more than 12 hours late taking your Mercilon pill: take the most recently missed pill right away, leaving any earlier missed pills in the strip. Take your next pills as usual, even if that means taking 2 in 1 day. You will need to use a condom for the next 7 days.

Check how many pills are left in the strip:

• If there are at least 7 pills left in the strip: continue using condoms when you have sex for the next 7 days. When you have finished the strip, have your 7-day break as usual.
• If there are less than 7 pills left in the strip: continue using condoms for the next 7 days when you have sex. When you finish this strip of pills, start the next strip the next day without a break. If you do not have a withdrawal bleed after you have finished the second strip, do a pregnancy test before starting your next Mercilon pack.

Mercilon is only available with a doctor’s prescription. You can request Mercilon from online services like Superdrug Online Doctor without having a face-to-face GP appointment. You can also get Mercilon on the NHS.

Can I buy Mercilon online?

Yes, you can request Mercilon online from Superdrug Online Doctor. Simply:

• complete a short online health and lifestyle questionnaire
• order your preferred treatment and make payment

Then:

• one of our doctors will review your questionnaire answers to see if your order is suitable for you
• if approved, your order will be discreetly delivered to your address or to a Superdrug Pharmacy for collection
• if our doctors feel that Mercilon isn’t right for you, they will contact you via your account with alternative options

Can I buy Mercilon over-the-counter?

No, Mercilon is not available to buy over-the-counter because you need a prescription from a doctor. There are mini pills like Hana which you can get over-the-counter in pharmacies.

Can I get Mercilon on the NHS?

Mercilon may be available on the NHS as a combined pill option but you will need to make an appointment with your GP to get a prescription.

There is a chance that you may experience side effects when taking Mercilon.

Possible side effects include:

Common (affecting 1 in 10 people):

• headaches
• weight gain
• painful or tender breasts
• feeling sick (nausea)
• stomach pain
• mood changes or depression

Uncommon (affecting 1 in 100 people)

• swollen hands, ankles or feet (signs of fluid retention)
• migraines
• reduced sex drive
• being sick (vomiting)
• diarrhoea
• skin rashes or hives
• enlarged breasts

Rare (affecting up to 1 in 1000 people)

• irregular vaginal bleeding
• milky fluid leaking from breasts
• eye discomfort that may affect your ability to wear contact lenses
• erythema multiforme (skin condition)
• bruise-like swellings on your shin called erythema nodosum
• weight loss
• increased sex drive
• blood clots in a vein or artery

If you experience any of the following serious side effects you should call 999 or go to A&E immediately. Signs of:

A blood clot in the leg: swelling in one leg or along a vein in the leg or foot

• pain, warmth, or tenderness in the leg
• change in skin colour of the affected leg

A blood clot in your lung:

• rapid breathing or unexplained breathlessness
• sudden cough that may bring up blood
• sharp chest pain that gets worse when you inhale deeply
• lightheadedness

A heart attack:

• chest pain, discomfort, or heaviness
• indigestion or a choking feeling
• sweating, feeling or being sick, dizziness
• extreme weakness or shortness or breath
• pain in your jaw, upper arm, back, or stomach

A stroke:

• one-sided weakness
• sudden confusion
• slurred speech

An allergic reaction:

• swollen face, tongue, or throat
• difficulty swallowing
• hives with difficulty breathing

A full list of side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet that is supplied with your medication.

How long do Mercilon side effects last?

Not everyone will experience Mercilon side effects, but if you do, they may be mild and should go away on their own within 3 months.

What to do if you get Mercilon side effects

If you do get Mercilon side effects and you are struggling to tolerate them, speak to your doctor for advice.

Mild side effects can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol, if required.

Mercilon may not be suitable for everyone.

Do not take Mercilon if you:

• have or have ever had a blood clot in your legs, lungs, or any other organs
• have a blood clotting disorder
• need an operation or are going to be off of your feet for a while
• have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• have angina pectoris or have ever had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• are diabetic
• have high blood pressure
• have a very high level of fat in the blood
• have a condition called hyperhomocysteinaemia
• experience migraine with aura
• have or have recently had severe liver disease
• have ever had a liver tumour
• have or have had pancreatitis
• are pregnant
• have breast, womb, or ovarian cancer
• experience unexplained vaginal bleeding
• are allergic to any of the ingredients in Mercilon, have hepatitis C or take any medications that contain ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir and dasabuvir or glecaprevir or pibrentasvir

Before taking Mercilon, tell your doctor if you are taking any prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medications, including those used to treat:

• epilepsy
• tuberculosis
• HIV
• hepatitis C
• high blood pressure in the blood vessels of your lungs
• depression

Mercilon and breastfeeding

Mercilon is not suitable for use during breastfeeding. If you need contraception while you’re breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or nurse about alternative suitable contraception.

Mercilon and lactose

Mercilon pills contain lactose, so if you have been informed that you are intolerant to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking Mercilon.

If you don’t feel Mercilon is right for you, there are several other hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive options available.

Alternative hormonal contraceptive options

At Superdrug Online Doctor we offer:

Combined pills

• Gedarel 20/150: An alternative low-dose combined pill that also contains ethinylestradiol and desogestrel. Also available as a standard dose (30/150).
• Marvelon: A standard dose combined pill similar to Mercilon.
• Microgynon 30: Most popular combined pill that contains levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol.

Mini pills

• Hana: A mini pill that’s available to buy over the counter without a prescription.
• Norgeston: One of the most commonly prescribed mini pills that contains the hormone levonorgestrel.
• Cerazette: Popular mini pill brand that effectively prevents pregnancy and is suitable for women over 35 who smoke.

Other hormonal options

• Evra patches: Skin patches that supply oestrogen and progesterone. They are replaced once weekly so are a great alternative to daily combined pills.
• NuvaRing: A ring inserted into the vagina that contains synthetic versions of oestrogen and progesterone. It remains effective for up to 3 weeks.
• Contraceptive implant: A small plastic rod that is inserted under the skin of the arm by a trained medical professional and releases progesterone to stop ovulation.
• Contraceptive injection: A progestogen-only injection that is effective for 8 to 13 weeks. It must be given by a doctor or nurse.
• Intrauterine system (IUS): The IUS, also known as the coil, is inserted into the womb to release progesterone.

Non-hormonal contraception

• Condoms: Worn externally on the penis to prevent pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Female condoms: Worn inside the vagina to stop sperm entering the womb.
• Diaphragms: Worn over the womb entrance to stop pregnancy.
• Copper coil: Also called the intrauterine device, the copper coil is a small plastic coil that is inserted into the womb by a nurse. Instead of releasing hormones, it releases copper to prevent pregnancy.

Is Mercilon the same as Marvelon?

No, Mercilon and Marvelon are similar in that they contain the same active ingredients and work in the same way to prevent pregnancy. However, Mercilon contains a lower oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) dose which means Mercilon is associated with fewer side effects.

Is Mercilon the same as Yasmin?

No, Yasmin and Mercilon contain different active ingredients. Although they both contain the same type of oestrogen (ethinylestradiol), Yasmin contains a different type of synthetic progesterone called drospirenone. Mercilon is also a low-dose pill.

Can Mercilon stop periods?

Mercilon can stop or delay periods if you take 2 strips back to back without having a 7-day break. However, if you’re just looking to delay your periods, a better choice would be period delay treatment.

Some people may experience irregular bleeding when they start Mercilon.

Will Mercilon affect my weight?

Although weight gain is listed as a common side effect of Mercilon, there is no evidence that the combined pill causes weight gain. Instead, an increase in weight when you take the combined pill is likely to be caused by fluid retention.