How To Use Mercilon

How to Take Mercilon: Step-by-Step Usage Guide

Mercilon comes in strips of 21 tablets. Follow these steps every month:

1. Start your first pack: Choose either Day‑1 start (first day of your period) for immediate protection, or Day‑2‑5 start (with 7 days of barrier contraception).
2. Take one pill each day: Swallow the tablet whole with water if needed. Try to take it at the same time every day – this helps maintain hormone levels and reduces the chance of forgetting.
3. Follow the arrows: Each pill is marked with a day of the week. Follow the direction of the arrows on the strip to ensure you take them in the correct order.
4. Finish all 21 pills: After taking the last pill, you have 7 pill‑free days. A withdrawal bleed (like a period) usually occurs during this break.
5. Start your next pack: On day 8 (the same day of the week as your first pill), begin the next strip – even if you are still bleeding. This ensures continuous protection.

Dosage Guide: When to Start, Missed Pills & What to Do

Starting Mercilon

• No previous hormonal contraception: Start on day 1 of your period – protection is immediate. Alternatively, start on day 2‑5 but use condoms for the first 7 days.
• Switching from another combined pill: Start the day after finishing your previous pack’s active pills (no gap). You will be protected immediately.
• Switching from a progestogen‑only pill (POP): Start on the first day of bleeding (if any); if no bleeding, start the next day and use barrier contraception for 7 days.
• After miscarriage or abortion: Your doctor may advise starting immediately – protection is immediate.
• After childbirth: If not breastfeeding, start 3 weeks after delivery (provided no intercourse since birth). If later, use barrier for 7 days and rule out pregnancy.

Missed Pills – What to Do

Vomiting or Diarrhoea

If you vomit within 3‑4 hours of taking a pill, it may not be fully absorbed – treat it as a missed pill (follow the >12 hour rule). If severe diarrhoea continues for more than 12 hours, also treat as a missed pill.

Who Should Use Mercilon (and Who Should Not)

Mercilon is suitable for most healthy women, but certain conditions make it unsafe. Your doctor will assess your medical history before prescribing.

Do NOT use Mercilon if you:

• Have or have ever had a blood clot in a vein (DVT) or artery (stroke, heart attack).
• Have a clotting disorder (e.g., Factor V Leiden, protein C/S deficiency).
• Have migraine with aura (focal neurological symptoms).
• Have severe liver disease or a liver tumour.
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• Have or have had breast cancer or other hormone‑sensitive cancer.
• Are pregnant or suspect pregnancy.
• Are allergic to any ingredient.
• Take Hepatitis C combination medicines containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir with dasabuvir or glecaprevir/pibrentasvir.

Use with caution (discuss with your doctor):

• If you smoke and are over 35 – smoking greatly increases cardiovascular risk.
• If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or are very overweight (BMI >30).
• If you have a family history of blood clots.
• If you need major surgery or prolonged bed rest (will need to stop 4‑6 weeks before).

Taking Mercilon with Food and Without Food

Mercilon can be taken with or without food. There are no restrictions. However, taking it with a meal may help if you experience mild nausea, which can occur during the first few packs.

Grapefruit juice does not significantly affect Mercilon, but excessive consumption is not recommended as it may alter liver enzyme activity.

Special Conditions: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Surgery & Other Considerations

Pregnancy

Do not take Mercilon if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while on the pill, stop immediately and consult your doctor. Epidemiological studies have not shown an increased risk of birth defects if accidentally taken in early pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Mercilon is not usually recommended during breastfeeding because oestrogen may reduce milk production. Progestogen‑only pills are often preferred. Small amounts of hormones pass into breast milk but are not known to be harmful.

Surgery and Immobilisation

If you are planning major surgery or will be immobilised (e.g., leg cast), you should stop Mercilon 4‑6 weeks beforehand to reduce the risk of blood clots. Your doctor will advise when to restart.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines reduce Mercilon’s effectiveness. Always tell your doctor about any other drugs you take, including:

• Antibiotics like rifampicin (not amoxicillin).
• Antiepileptics (phenytoin, carbamazepine, topiramate).
• HIV treatments (ritonavir, efavirenz).
• Herbal remedies (St. John’s wort).

If you take any of these, additional barrier contraception is needed while using them and for 28 days after stopping.

Delaying a Period

You can delay your period by starting a new pack immediately after finishing the current one (no pill‑free break). You may experience breakthrough bleeding, but protection continues.

Mercilon Usage FAQs

Need Mercilon with Expert Guidance?

If you’re ready to start Mercilon or have questions about using it, our UK‑registered doctors can help through an online consultation.

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