Mercilon Tablets

Mercilon is a combined oral contraceptive pill commonly known as birth control pills or ‘the pill’. Combined contraceptive pills prevent ovaries from releasing an egg. They also cause changes in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, and the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from fertilizing the egg.

This contraceptive pill can also be used as an emergency pill after sexual intercourse to prevent a possible pregnancy. It is a 21-day pill which means you have to take one each day for 21 days, followed by 7 days when you take no pills.

Mercilon is a low dose contraceptive pill. It contains two female sex hormones called estrogen and progestogen. The combination of estrogen and progestogen works to prevent ovulation i.e. release of an egg from the ovary. This combination of hormones also makes the fluid (mucus) in your cervix thicker and makes it harder for a sperm to enter your cervix.

Following are the major benefits of taking Mercilon:

• It makes menstruation regular, lighter and less painful.
• It helps with pre-menstrual symptoms as well.
• Combination contraceptives are one of the best reversible methods of contraception if you use it correctly.
• When using these pills, you do not have to use other methods of contraception during sexual intercourse.
• Some disorders appear less frequently in pill users such as anaemia, pelvic infections, pregnancies occurring outside the womb, and certain disorders of the womb, ovaries and breasts.

To avoid pregnancy, use your oral contraceptive pills exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you are not sure how to take your pills, ask your doctor, family planning nurse or pharmacist. Mercilon comes in strips of 21 pills. Each pill is marked with the day of the week.

• Take your pill regularly at the same time of the day.
• Start taking your pill, which is marked by correct day of the week. This will help you keep track of your progress.
• Take your pill regularly for 21 days.
• Place the pill in your mouth and swallow it, use water if you need to. Do not chew the pill.

After taking pills continuously for 21 days, the next seven days you have to go pill free. In these pill-free days, you will experience withdrawal bleed just like a period. However, this period is lighter and shorter than your usual periods. The bleeding may continue until it is time for your next first pill.

You do not need extra contraception on your pill-free days if you have taken your 21-day pills correctly. It is important that you start your next month’s course of Mercilon on time. You can start taking your Mercilon pills right after a miscarriage or abortion. You will not need any extra contraception while taking these pills.

Before Taking Mercilon

• Let your doctor know if you are using any prescription or non-prescription medication before taking these pills.
• If you have a history of any heart, kidney, lung or liver disease or any other disorders, consult your doctor before starting Mercilon.

While Taking Mercilon

• If your period started more than five days ago, wait until it is the first day of your next period before starting your pills. In the meantime, you have to take extra contraceptive precautions to prevent pregnancy.
• Consult your doctor if you experience any spotting or breakthrough bleeding while taking your 21-day pills as it means your pill is not working fully as a contraceptive.

What to Do If You Forget To Take a Pill? 

• If you are more than 12 hours late in taking a pill, it means you are protected. Take the pill as soon as you remember and take the next pill on its due time. This means you may need to take two pills in one day.
• If you are more than 12 hours late in taking your daily pill, it means you are unprotected and you have to take extra contraceptive precautions for the next seven days. Take the missed pill as soon as you remember even if you have to take two pills in a single day. Continue taking your 21 day pills on your regularly on your normal time,

Women who take Mercilon regularly are at higher risk of developing blood clots. Untreated blood clots can cause severe problems as they can develop in veins (venous thrombosis) and in arteries (arterial thrombosis). A blood clot can block the vessels of any organ like the heart (causes heart attack or a stroke), lungs (causes pulmonary embolism) or any other body part like your leg (causes deep vein thrombosis) etc.

Other common side effects of Mercilon are headaches, elevated blood pressure, breast tenderness, nausea and bloating.

Mercilon contraceptive pills are available in the UK on [this website]. You can get your medication delivered to your doorstep after filling an online prescription form. It is important that you use Mercilon pills exactly as prescribed by your physician to avoid any negative effects of this medication on your health.