What is Mercilon and What are its Benefits?

Mercilon is a combined low-dose oral contraceptive pill that contains two active female sex hormones: oestrogen and progestogen. This pill is taken by women who want to prevent pregnancy.

The hormones in the pill work by preventing ovulation i.e. the release of eggs from the ovaries, thus preventing pregnancy.  Mercilon is lower in oestrogen than other types of pills.

It has 20 micrograms rather than 30 micrograms thus recommended to people who have experienced side effects like nausea and breast tenderness when they have tried other types of combined pills.

The Benefits OF Mercilon Pill.

❇️ Mercilon pills may help with painful periods
❇️ Mercilon pills don’t interrupt sex compared with other contraceptives
❇️ Its one of the most reliable reversible methods of contraception if used correctly
❇️ Make your periods regular, lighter, and less painful.

How to Use Mercilon

For the medicine to be effective you need to follow carefully the instructions described in the leaflet or as your doctor, family planning nurse, or pharmacist has told you.

The mercilorn pills are packed in strips of 21- each marked with a day of the week. You should follow the directions of the arrows on the strip and take a pill daily until you are done with the 21 pills.

The pill needs to be taken daily at the same time with some liquid. After 21 days, take a 7-day tablet-free interval. During this interval, you will experience withdrawal bleed which starts on the second or third day after the last tablet and may not have finished before the next strip starts.

How To Start Taking Mercilon

As a new user or starting the pill again after a break you should take your first Mercilon pill on the first day of your next period reading to contraceptive protection with your first pill.

If your period has already begun, start taking Mercilon on day 5 counting the first day of your period as day 1. During this time you must use extra contraceptives as a condom until you have taken the first seven pills correctly.

When Not to Use Mercilon Pills

❇️ If you smoke and are 35 years or older or stopped smoking less than a year ago.
❇️ If you are breastfeeding.
❇️ If you are very overweight.
❇️ If you have or have had thrombosis in any vein or artery

❇️ If you have or have had heart abnormality or circulatory disease,including raised blood pressure{ hypertension}.
❇️ If you have current breast cancer or have had breast cancer within the past 5 years.
❇️ If you have or have had a Migraine with aura.
❇️ If you have or have had disease of the liver or gallbladder.
❇️ If you have or have had diabetes with complications

From Another Contraceptive to Mercilon

If you are currently on a 21-day pill, start taking Mercilon the next day after the end of the previous strip. You will have contraceptive protection with your first pill but you will not have a bleed until after you finish your first strip of Mercilon.

If you are taking a progestogen-only pill start Mercilon on the first day of bleeding, even if you have already taken the POP for that day.You will have contraceptive coverage straight away.

If you don’t usually have any bleeding while you are taking a progestogen-only pill, you can stop taking it any day and start Mercilon the next day but you will need to use a condom for the next seven days.

If you are currently on a 28-day pill start taking Mercilon the day after your last active pill. With the first pill, you will have contraceptive protection and you will not have a bleed until after you finish your first strip of Mercilon.

If you are changing to Mercilon from a progestogen-only injection, implant, or progestogen-releasing intrauterine device you should start taking Mercilon when your next injection is due or on the day your implant is removed.

Make sure to use an additional contraceptive method such as a condom, for the first 7 days that you are taking Mercilon.

Alternatives to Mercilon

Alternatives to Mercilon include other combined oral contraceptives like Yasmin and Microgynon, progestin-only pills like Cerazette, long-acting options like Depo-Provera and Nexplanon, hormonal and copper IUDs,

barrier methods like condoms and diaphragms, permanent solutions like tubal ligation and vasectomy, and emergency contraception like Plan B and Ella. Consult your healthcare provider to determine the best option for your needs.

patient information leaflet

Author

Dosage

• Daily Dosing: Take one Mercilon pill every day for 21 days.
• Consistent Timing: Take the pill at the same time each day.
• 7-Day Break: After completing the 21-day cycle, have a 7-day break without taking any pills.

Different ways you can use Mercilon:

Tricycling: Take one pill every day for 9 weeks without a break. After 9 weeks, take a 4 or 7 day break, and then start the cycle again.

Continuous Use: Take one pill every day without any breaks.

Flexible Extended Use: Take one pill daily for at least 21 days. If you experience bleeding that you find unacceptable, take a 4-day break. On the fifth day, start taking the pill daily again, and don't take another break for at least 21 days.

Side Effects of Using Mercilon.

Mercilon like all medicines can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If you experience side effects that are severe and persistent that Mercilon may cause please talk to the Doctor.

Serious side effects which you should see the doctor immediately include:

Signs of heart attack are characterized by chest pains, discomfort, pressure, heaviness, sensation of squeezing, or fullness in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone.

Signs of stroke are characterized by sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, and leg, especially on one side of the body. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance. sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding.

Signs of retinal vein thrombosis are characterized by immediate loss of vision, and painless blurring of vision which can progress to loss of vision. This sign commonly occurs in one eye.

Signs of blood clots blocking other blood vessels are characterized by swelling and slight blue discoloration of an extremity with severe pain in your stomach.

Signs of breast cancer include dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple, and lumps you can see or feel.
Signs of severe allergic reactions to Mercilon are characterized by swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat.

Signs of cervical cancer include vaginal discharge that smells and contains blood, unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and painful sex.

Signs of deep vein thrombosis include swelling of one leg, pain in the leg, increased warmth in the affected leg, and change in color of the skin on the leg.

Common side effects Affect 1 in 10 people and they include:

• Headache
• Stomach problems
• Depression or mood swings
• Breast problems
• Putting on weight

Uncommon side effects Affect 1 in 100 people and they include:

• Breast enlargement
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Skin problems such as hives and rash
• Fluid retention
• Migraine

Rare side effects affect 1 in 1000 people and they include:

• Increased sexual desire
• Discomfort of the eyes if you wear contact lenses
• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Breasts produce a milky fluid from the nipples
• Decreased weight
• Erythema multiforme/nodosum

Patient information leaflet

There are 5 types of oral contraception:

1. Monophasic 28-day preparations - They contain oestrogen and progesterone. They are taken continuously. The first 21 days will be an ‘active’ pill, and the last 7 days are ‘inactive’ pills. You will take tablets for 28 days, then you should start a new pack for another 28 days.
   
   
2. Monophasic 21-day contraceptive pills - They contain oestrogen and progesterone. They are taken for 21 days followed by a 7 day break, then the cycle starts again.
   
   
3. Phasic 21 day preparations - They contain oestrogen and progesterone. They are taken for 21 days followed by a 7 day break, then the cycle starts again. These contain different levels of each hormone depending on which day's pill you are taking.
   
   
4. Phasic 28-day preparations - They contain oestrogen and progesterone. They are taken continuously. The first 21 days will be an ‘active’ pill, and the last 7 days are ‘inactive’ pills.
   
   You will take tablets for 28 days, then you should start a new pack for another 28 days.These contain different levels of each hormone depending on which day's pill you are taking.
   
   
5. Progesterone-only pill - They contain progesterone only. These pills must be taken continuously everyday at the same time within a 3 hour window each day. Each pack contains 28 tablets, and each new pack should be taken back to back.

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