• Confidential assessment
  • Reviewed by clinicians
  • Click & Collect or delivery to your door

Product features

  • Take daily for 21 days with a 7-day break (alternatives possible)

  • 99% effective when taken correctly

  • Need yearly blood pressure and weight check

How to take Gedarel 20 & Gedarel 30/150

Most women choose to take 1 pill daily for 21 days, then have a 4 or 7-day break before starting the next pack. During this break you’re likely to have a withdrawal bleed. This is like a period but isn’t one.

You can also take Gedarel 20 & 30/150 as follows: 

  • Tricycling: Take 1 pill daily for 9 weeks without a break. After 9 weeks (3 packs of pills) take a 4 or 7 day break and then start the cycle again. 
  • Continuous use: Take 1 pill daily without a break. 
  • Flexible extended use: Take 1 pill daily for at least 21 days. If you get bleeding that’s unacceptable to you, take a 4-day break. On the fifth day start taking the pill daily again and don’t have another break for at least 21 days. 

How does Gedarel work?

The hormones in Gedarel tablets (desogestrel and ethinylestradiol) prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation). They also make it difficult for sperm to reach an egg, or for an egg to implant itself in the lining of the womb.

How effective is Gedarel?

When taken correctly, Gedarel 20 & Gedarel 30 are  99% effective in preventing pregnancy. If it’s not always taken correctly roughly 9 out of 100 women will get pregnant.

If you are vomiting or have severe diarrhoea you may not be protected against pregnancy. If this happens, continue to take the pill as usual but use a condom whilst you're ill. If this continues for more than 24 hours you should follow the same steps as a missed pill.

Please note – you should only start Gedarel if you’re sure you’re not pregnant.

How long after taking Gedarel 20 & 30 are you protected?

If you start using Gedarel on days 1-5 of your period, you should be protected from pregnancy immediately, provided you don’t have a short or irregular menstrual cycle.

If you start after day 1 and have short/irregular menstrual cycle you’ll need to use condoms for 7 days if you have sex. Your clinician will be able to advise if you need to use extra contraception in the first 7 days if you have sex.

What are the side effects of Gedarel 20 & 30?

Many women do not experience any side effects, however some experience more irregular bleeding with a low-dose pill. This usually settles in a few months. Other side effects can include headaches, feeling sick, breast discomfort, or mood swings. Rarely, some women develop blood clots. This pill carries a slightly higher risk of blood clots than others. If you have any concerns, send us a message via your account.

For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet. If any side effects concern you, contact us via your account.

How our online contraception service works

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Complete our simple, confidential online consultation

5 mins

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Choose from recommended options

In your Patient Record

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One of our NHS-experienced clinicians confirms your suitability

You’ll be informed by email if your contraception has been approved and prescribed

Medicaiton pill

3, 6 or 12 months of protection

Same-day pharmacy collection
Delivery to your door
Collect at 7000+ convenient ParcelShops

Gedarel 20 & 30 FAQs

  • What should I do if I miss the pill?

    This depends on when and how many pills are missed. Missing one pill, at any time, does not compromise contraception. Missing two or more pills or starting a new pack late might affect your contraceptive cover.

    Up to 48 hours since your last pill – take your next pill as soon as you remember and continue the rest of the pack as usual. This might mean you need to take 2 pills on 1 day.

    More than 48 hours – this depends on when you last took your pill and where you are in your pill packet. Please check the patient information leaflet for further information.

  • Is Gedarel safe to use whilst breastfeeding?

    If you’re breastfeeding it’s not advised to start taking a combined contraceptive like Gedarel until 6 weeks after the birth. 

  • Can Gedarel stop periods?

    If you take 2 packs of Gedarel 20 or Gedarel 30 back-to-back you can prevent having a period.

  • Will Gedarel make me gain weight?

    There is no evidence to suggest that taking Gedarel 20 or 30 will affect your weight. You may find your weight changes throughout your cycle due to fluid retention and other reasons not related to the pill.

  • Can I buy Gedarel online?

    You can request and pay for a Gedarel prescription online. As this pill is a prescription-only medication, even if you are using an online service, you will need a prescription from a clinician before you can buy the treatment.

    With all combined contraceptive pills, we will need to know your height, weight and blood pressure to prescribe safely. You can fill this out during the consultation.

  • Important information about Gedarel 20 & 30

    You can request and pay for a Gedarel 20 or 30 prescription online. As this pill is a prescription-only medication, even if you are using an online service, you will need a prescription from a clinician before you can buy the treatment.

    Combined contraceptives can cause your blood pressure to rise, which can be dangerous. Your blood pressure needs checking before starting any combined contraceptive, then once a year after that. If you’ve had your blood pressure checked recently, or checked it yourself using a home blood pressure monitor, you can give us this information as part of your consultation. 

  • How do I switch to Gedarel from a different pill?

    If you would like to switch your contraceptive pill, contact us via your account or get an appointment with your GP to discuss the change.

  • Safety: taking other medicines

    You should be able to take Gedarel 20 or Gedarel 30 alongside most other medicines (most do not interfere with them). However, it is important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe Gedarel safely. 

  • Alternative treatments

    We offer a range of contraceptives, including NuvaRing, Evra Patch, combined pills, low-dose pills and mini pills. View all our contraception options.

    Condoms are an effective form of contraception and protect against STIs.

    There are also long-acting contraceptives available through your GP or family planning clinic, including implants, the coil and injectable contraception.

  • References

Delivery and collection information

  • Same-day collection (Free)

    • Order before 5pm Monday-Friday to collect the same day in pharmacies nationwide.
    • Subject to the availability of your treatment in your selected pharmacy.

  • Standard delivery (Free)

    • Delivered within 5-7 working days.

  • Next-day delivery (£4.95)

    • Orders approved before 5pm Monday-Friday will arrive within 1-2 working days.
    • Orders approved between 5pm Friday and 12pm Sunday will usually arrive on Monday or Tuesday.

  • Standard ParcelShop collection (Free)

    • Collect from 7000+ convenient ParcelShops in 2-3 working days.

  • Next day ParcelShop collection (£2.95)

    • Collect next day from 7000+ convenient ParcelShop locations, if approved before 5pm Monday-Friday.
    • Saturday and Sunday orders, collect Monday if approved before 12pm Sunday, or Tuesday if ordered after 12pm.