Gedarel 30 and Gedarel 20

Gedarel 20/150 tablets

Gedarel 30 is a combined contraceptive pill that helps prevent pregnancy. It contains two hormones, ethinylestradiol and desogestrel that work together to stop ovulation and reduce the chances of sperm reaching or fertilising an egg. Gedarel 20 is the low-dose equivalent, a go-to option for people who want reliable and flexible contraception with a lower dose of estrogen, which can mean fewer side effects for some people.

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Is Gedarel 20 the Same as Gedarel 30?

The main difference between Gedarel 20 and Gedarel 30 is their amount of estrogen. Gedarel 20 has 20 micrograms of ethinylestradiol, while Gedarel 30 packs 30 micrograms.

Some women like the lower dose of 20 if they're sensitive to hormones or tend to have side effects. Others might feel better on the 30 version. Chatting with your clinician to figure out what works best for you is a good idea.

How to take Gedarel 30 & Gedarel 20

Most people take 1 pill every day for 21 days, then take a little break for 4 or 7 days. During that break, you might experience a withdrawal bleed, which feels a bit like a period.

If the standard 21-day cycle doesn't work for you, there are some other ways to take Gedarel 30 or Gedarel 20 that might fit your lifestyle better (and yes, you can take Gedarel 30 continuously).

Gedarel 30

  • Tricycling: Take 1 pill every day for 9 weeks (3 packs in a row), then take a 4 or 7-day break before starting again.

  • Flexible extended use: Take 1 pill daily for at least 21 days. If you get any bleeding that starts to become a bit inconvenient or uncomfortable , it's fine to take a 4-day break. After that, you can start again and continue for another 21 days before taking another break.

Gedarel 20

  • Tricycling: Take 1 pill a day for 9 weeks (3 packs in a row), then have a 4 or 7-day break.

  • Flexible extended use: Take a pill every day for at least 21 days. If you get breakthrough bleeding that then starts to bother you, take a 4-day break, then start again.

Your clinician can help you figure out which option is best for you.

Some people prefer continuous use to help manage period symptoms or to avoid bleeding altogether. Remember, it’s all about what works best for you.


How do Gedarel 30 and Gedarel 20 work?

Gedarel is a combined contraceptive pill, which means it contains two hormones: ethinylestradiol and desogestrel.

Together, these hormones:

  • Stop your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation)

  • Make it harder for sperm to reach an egg

  • Make it more difficult for a fertilised egg to implant in the womb

Gedarel 30 and 20 are the same as Marvelon, as they contain the same active ingredients and work in the same way,  but the main difference is the brand name and packaging.


How effective are Gedarel 30 and Gedarel 20?

Gedarel 20 and Gedarel 30 are over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when you take it as directed. But if you don't take it correctly, you could be one of 9 out of 100 women who could end up pregnant.

If you're feeling sick, like vomiting or having bad diarrhoea, your body might not absorb the pill correctly. Keep taking your Gedarel pill, but make sure to use condoms while you're not feeling well. If vomiting happens within 3 hours of taking Gedarel 20 / Gedarel 30 or severe diarrhoea continues for more than 24 hours, treat it as if you’ve missed a pill. 

You can follow the instructions for the missed pill in the patient information leaflets for Gedarel 20 or Gedarel 30 or check in with a healthcare professional for help.

If you keep vomiting or getting diarrhoea, consider alternate forms of contraception.

Just make sure you're not pregnant before you start taking Gedarel 20 or Gedarel 30.

How long after taking each pill are you protected?

Gedarel 30

If you start taking Gedarel 30 within the first 5 days of your period, you're protected right away, as long as your cycle is regular and not too short.

But if you begin later in your cycle or have short or irregular periods, you'll need to use condoms for the first week just to be safe.

Gedarel 20

If you start taking Gedarel 20 during days 1 to 5 of your period, you're protected from pregnancy right away, as long as your menstrual cycle is regular.

If you start after day 5 and have a shorter or irregular cycle, you'll need to use condoms for the first 7 days if you have sex. 

It's always helpful to check in with your clinician to see if you need any extra contraception during that first week.


What are the side effects of Gedarel 30 and Gedarel 20?

Lots of people take Gedarel 30 and Gedarel 20 without any problems, but some may notice a few side effects, especially in the first few months while their bodies adjust.

Here are some possible side effects you might experience while taking Gedarel 30 or Gedarel 20:

  • Irregular or breakthrough bleeding (this usually settles after a few months)

  • Headaches

  • Nausea or feeling sick

  • Mood changes

  • Breast tenderness

  • Some women may notice weight gain, although for most, this is temporary or minimal

As with all combined pills, Gedarel 30 and Gedarel 20 come with a small risk of blood clots. It may have a slightly higher risk than others, but it's still considered safe for most healthy women.

If you're worried about any side effects or notice anything unusual, message us via your account. We're here to help.

For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet for Gedarel 20 or Gedarel 30.

Contraception medicines

Frequently asked questions

The impact of missing pills depends on how many you've skipped and when. If you miss just one pill, you're still protected. But if you skip two or more pills or start a new pack late, that might affect your protection.

If it's been up to 12 hours since your last pill, take the next one as soon as you remember and keep going with the rest of the pack like usual. 

If it's been more than 12 hours, what you do next (and how protected you are from getting pregnant) will depend on when you last took a pill and where you are in your pack. Please check the patient information leaflet for more details.

If you're breastfeeding, it's best to wait until at least six weeks after giving birth before starting a combined contraceptive like Gedarel 30.

There's really no evidence that taking Gedarel 30 will cause weight gain. You might notice some weight changes during your cycle due, but this is due to fluid retention and other reasons that have nothing to do with the pill.

If you take 2 packs of Gedarel 30 back-to-back you're likely to skip your period.

You can order Gedarel 30 online, but since it's a prescription-only medication, you'll need to get a prescription from a doctor first. During the consultation, we'll ask for your height, weight, and blood pressure to make sure it's safe for you.

If you're looking to change your contraceptive pill, just reach out through your account or set up an appointment with your GP to talk about it. When making the switch, it's best to go right from one pack to the other without a break, and you might need to use some extra protection for a bit during the transition.


Even if you've bought Gedarel 30 from us before, you will need to complete a new consultation if you wish to re-order. If you're thinking about trying a different birth control method, complete a routine contraceptive assessment.

Combined contraceptives can cause your blood pressure to rise, which can be risky. That's why you should get your blood pressure checked before starting any combined contraceptive and then once a year after that. If you've had it checked recently or have used a home blood pressure monitor, you can share that information during your consultation.

Safety: taking other medicines

You should be able to take Gedarel 30 with other medicines.

Just make sure to let us know about any prescription, over-the-counter or even recreational substances you're using. We want to make sure that Gedarel 30 is a safe choice for you.

It depends on how many pills you've missed and when.

  • Missed by less than 48 hours:

  • Take the missed pill as soon as you remember and continue the rest of the pack as usual. You may need to take two pills in one day, and your contraceptive protection should not be affected.

  • Missed by more than 48 hours:

This can reduce your contraceptive protection. What to do depends on where you are in your pack. Check the patient information leaflet or get in touch with us via your Account for tailored advice.

It's not recommended to use a combined pill like Gedarel 20 if you're breastfeeding and your baby is under 6 weeks old. After that, your clinician can help you figure out the safest time to start using it.


Yes, you can delay or skip a period by taking 2 packs of Gedarel 20 back-to-back without the usual 7-day break. This is usually safe for most people, but it's always a good idea to check in with your doctor if you have any questions.


There's no strong evidence that Gedarel 20 can cause weight gain. Some people might notice small weight changes due to fluid retention or natural hormonal shifts, but those changes are usually temporary.

You can request a prescription for Gedarel 20 through our online service. As it's a prescription-only medicine, a clinician will need to review your health information first.

You'll need to share:

  • Your height and weight

  • A recent blood pressure reading

Important information about Gedarel 20

Remember: All combined contraceptive pills can slightly increase blood pressure. So you'll need to have this checked before starting and then once a year. If you have a home monitor, you can share those readings with us during your consultation.

How you switch from your current contraception to Gedarel 20 will depend on whether you are on a Progestogen-only pill (POP) or Combined Oral Contraceptive (COC).

  • My current contraception is a POP - You can swap any day from a POP but you must use extra contraception (i.e. a condom) during the first seven days of taking Gedarel 20

  • My current contraception is a COC - You should start Gedarel on the last day after your last active tablet (at the latest on the day following your last tablet-free interval or after your last placebo tablet)

  • I currently use a combined contraceptive vaginal ring or patch - Preferably you should start taking Gedarel on the day of removal, at the latest when the next application would have been due

  • I use a progestogen injection - You may start using Gedarel from the day your next injection may be due. You will have to use further contraception for the first seven days

  • I use an implant or progestogen-releasing IUD - Start taking Gedarel on the day that the implant or IUD is removed. As with POPs or injections, make sure to use extra contraception like a condom for the first seven days you are taking Gedarel

For more information (for example, when to use Gedarel after having a baby), read the patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about changing contraception, speak to your GP or contact us via your account.

Gedarel 20/150 can usually be taken alongside other medications. However, we need to make sure it's safe for you to use. So, you'll need to let us know about any prescription medications, over-the-counter products, and recreational drugs you're currently taking.

Looking for alternatives to Gedarel 20? There are plenty of options out there.

Here are some alternative options you might want to explore:

  • Other combined pills

  • Low-dose pills

  • Mini pills (progestogen-only)

  • NuvaRing (vaginal ring)

  • Evra Patch

If you're considering longer-term solutions, you can also explore options like implants, the coil, or contraceptive injections, which you can get from your GP or local sexual health clinic. And remember, condoms are a great choice when it comes to preventing both pregnancy and STIs.