desogestrel at a glance
Medicine class
Progestogen-only oral contraceptive.
Licensed use
Prevention of pregnancy.
Oestrogen
Contains no oestrogen.
Sexually transmitted infections
Does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections; condoms provide STI protection.
What is desogestrel used for?
Desogestrel is licensed for:
Oral contraception to prevent pregnancy.
How does desogestrel work?
Desogestrel is converted to etonogestrel. It mainly prevents ovulation and also thickens cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to pass through the cervix.
desogestrel preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 75 micrograms
How to take desogestrel
Follow the calendar pack and product leaflet. Ask a pharmacist or clinician for advice when starting, restarting or switching, as temporary barrier protection may be needed. Vomiting or severe gastrointestinal illness may prevent complete absorption.
Irregular bleeding can occur even when tablets are taken correctly.
Check the leaflet or seek advice if vomiting, severe diarrhoea or interacting medicines may have reduced protection.
desogestrel side effects
Common or expected effects
- Irregular, more frequent, prolonged or absent bleeding
- Acne
- Headache
- Mood changes or depressed mood
- Reduced libido
- Breast pain
- Nausea
- Weight increase
Get urgent medical advice
- Symptoms of a blood clot, such as sudden chest pain, breathlessness or painful leg swelling
- Severe abdominal pain or symptoms suggesting an ectopic pregnancy
- Jaundice or other evidence of significant liver dysfunction
- Severe depression or suicidal thoughts
- Swelling affecting the face, tongue or throat
desogestrel in pregnancy
Desogestrel is not intended for use during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, stop it and contact the prescriber. Available evidence has not shown an increased risk of birth defects after inadvertent oral-contraceptive exposure in early pregnancy.
desogestrel while breastfeeding
Progestogen-only contraception can be used while breastfeeding. Small amounts of etonogestrel enter breast milk. Available data have not identified adverse effects on infant growth or development, although the selected product advises observing the infant’s development and growth.
desogestrel interactions
Check prescribed, non-prescription and herbal medicines because interactions can alter contraceptive protection or other medicine levels.
Enzyme-inducing antiseizure medicines, including carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, phenobarbital, oxcarbazepine and topiramate
Can lower etonogestrel exposure, causing breakthrough bleeding or contraceptive failure; additional or alternative contraception may be required.
Rifampicin or rifabutin
Can accelerate hormone clearance and reduce contraceptive protection.
St John’s wort
Can reduce desogestrel’s effectiveness; discuss its use with a pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions about desogestrel
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can desogestrel stop my periods?
Yes. Bleeding may become less frequent or stop, while some people have spotting, frequent bleeding or prolonged bleeding. Persistent, heavy or concerning bleeding should be assessed.
Does desogestrel protect against sexually transmitted infections?
No. It prevents pregnancy but does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.