Mercilon Tablets

Mercilon is a hormonal birth control pill that contains the synthetic versions of the female sex hormones oestrogen and progestin. It prevents pregnancy by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. Mercilon is considered a low-dose oral contraceptive because it has relatively low amounts of oestrogen and progestin compared to some other birth control pills.

The hormones in Mercilon work together to disrupt the menstrual cycle and ovulation, which blocks an egg from being released. By preventing ovulation, no egg can be fertilised by sperm. The progestin in Mercilon also thickens the mucus in the cervix, preventing sperm from passing through and reaching any released eggs.

The two primary hormones in combined oral contraceptive pills, such as Mercilon, are oestrogen and progestin. Together, they prevent the body from getting pregnant.

Oestrogen: This hormone aids in maintaining the uterine lining’s stability and inhibiting its growth. In an effort to keep sperm from reaching an egg, it thickens cervical mucus. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is also suppressed by oestrogen to prevent ovulation.

Progestin: A synthetic hormone which thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from dividing. In order to further inhibit ovulation, it suppresses luteinising hormone (LH). Progesterone thins the lining of the uterus, preventing fertilisation of an egg.

By inhibiting ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and thinned uterine lining, these two hormones act together to prevent pregnancy.

Mercilon Tablets comes in packs of 21 pills. Each pill is marked with the day of the week it should be taken. Mercilon Tablets should always be taken orally, usually with water. These are the commonly given instructions, but your prescriber may give you different instructions for use:

Take 1 pill every day at the same time.

Start with the pill marked for the correct day of the week.

Follow the arrows on the pack to take the pills in order.

Swallow each pill whole with water if needed. Do not chew the pills.

After taking the 21 pills, you will have 7 pill-free days. For example, if you take the last pill on a Friday, start the new pack on the next Saturday.

During the pill-free week, you will likely have withdrawal bleeding, like a period. This may still be going on when it’s time to start the new pack, but don’t worry as this is normal.

You don’t need backup contraception during the 7 break days if you took the previous packet correctly.

Start the new packet on time after the break, even if you are still bleeding. You should start each new pack on the same day of the week. If you take Mercilon Tablets correctly, you will be greatly protected against pregnancy.

You can find the directions for use in the patient information leaflet.

You should not use Mercilon Tablets if you have any of the following conditions. Tell your GP or pharmacist if you have any of these, as they can make changes to the type of contraception you are prescribed:

You are 35 years old or older and currently smoke cigarettes or other tobacco products, or you quit smoking less than 12 months ago

Your body mass index (BMI) is over 35, indicating you are very overweight

You have a history of blood clots in your legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism)

You have a history of heart attack, angina, stroke

You have high blood pressure (hypertension) or blood vessel disease

You have a blood disorder

You have advanced diabetes

You suffer from migraines with aura

You currently have breast cancer or have had it in the last 5 years

You have gallbladder disease

When pregnant or taking birth control pills previously,

You have a rare metabolic disorder called porphyria

It’s important for your health and wellbeing that you do not take any Mercilon Tablets if you have any of these conditions.

For more information, speak to a medical professional, or see the patient information leaflet.

You can order Mercilon Tablets online at e-Surgery. We offer competitively priced medication that can be prescribed to you in a matter of minutes. Simply complete our consultation form and one of our clinical team will be on hand to issue you the treatment or medication if they deem it suitable for you. e-Surgery stocks the same medication sold at any high-street pharmacy, just without the hassle of commuting or queuing.

It’s important to follow the instructions given to you by your prescriber and from the patient information leaflet about how you should store the Mercilon Tablets.

You should:

Keep Mercilon Tablets out of the reach and sight of children.

Do not use this medication past the expiration date printed on the packaging. The expiration refers to the last day of that month.

Store Mercilon Tablets at room temperature below 25°C, away from moisture and direct light. Keep it in the original package.

Do not dispose of Mercilon Tablets in normal household bins or down the drain. Ask your pharmacist how you should throw them away, minimising harm to the environment.

Mercilon Tablets may cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. Medication’s effect can vary from person to person.

Common side effects include:

Nausea

Stomach pain

Headaches

Breast tenderness

Light bleeding between periods (during the first few months)

Lighter periods

Mood changes

Change in sex drive

Less common side effects include:

Fluid retention or bloating

Increases in blood pressure

Skin reactions or rashes

A heightened risk for dangerous arterial blood clots that can trigger strokes or heart attacks.

You should inform your GP or pharmacist of your medical history and of any conditions or symptoms you may be experience currently. Inform them of any side-effects you may be having that are concerning you. If any side-effects persist or start to worsen, speak to a medical professional straight away.

Yes, you need a prescription from one of our prescribers to purchase any medication through e-Surgery. This holds true regardless of where you get your prescription medications. At e-Surgery, we’ve streamlined the consultation procedure to make it as easy and hassle-free as possible for our patients to receive the necessary treatment.

e-Surgery uses Royal Mail delivery with choices starting from Royal mail 48 tracked delivery, Royal Mail tracked 24 and Royal Mail 1 pm special delivery (discover more about e-Surgery delivery). When you order Mercilon Tablets online, they will arrive in discreet, recyclable packaging at a delivery address of your choice.

To purchase Mercilon Tablets online from e-Surgery or any other authorised pharmacy, you must be at least eighteen years old. This is due to the drug’s possible negative effects on your body if you haven’t fully developed. Medication that has not been given to you by a medical practitioner should not be taken.

If you fall pregnant while taking Mercilon Tablets you should stop taking the medication straight away. The medication should not harm you or your baby but the side effects of the medication, such as vomiting or vaginal bleeding, could be harmful. You should consult your prescriber so they can inform you of the next available steps for you.

Mercilon and Marvelon are extremely similar but have slight differences. Though they contain the same ingredients, Mercilon contains less Oestrogen than Marvelon, making it slightly less effective, but it also means the side effects from the medication are weaker also. Which treatment you take will depend on multiple health and lifestyle factors, all of which can be discussed during your consultation with one of our clinical team.