Marvelon: What You Need to Know

Reviewed by Usama Ali, MPharm (GPhC: 2224726). Last reviewed: October 2026.

What is Marvelon?

Marvelon is a combined contraceptive pill made by Organon. Each tablet contains desogestrel 150 micrograms, a progestogen, and ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms, a form of oestrogen (EMC SmPC).

It works mainly by stopping your ovaries releasing an egg, and also thickens cervical mucus and thins the womb lining. Taken correctly, the combined pill is more than 99% effective, and around 91% with typical use, when pills are sometimes missed (NHS). Read our guide to the combined pill for how all combined pills compare.

Is Marvelon the same as Gedarel?

Marvelon is the same medicine as Gedarel 30/150. Both contain ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and desogestrel 150 micrograms and follow the same 21 day pattern (EMC SmPC, Gedarel 30/150). The table shows the brands with these hormones and the lower oestrogen versions.

Under the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service, the brand you receive can change with stock. "A different box is not a different pill if the hormones and strength match," says Usama Ali, MPharm (GPhC: 2224726), pharmacist at Contraception Direct. "Check the two numbers on the pack. If they have changed, ask us before you start it." See Gedarel for the 20/150 strength.

How do you take Marvelon?

You take one Marvelon tablet a day, at about the same time, for 21 days, then take no tablets for 7 days. A withdrawal bleed usually comes during the break. Start the next strip after the 7 days, even if you are still bleeding (EMC patient leaflet).

The leaflet prefers starting on the first day of your period, which gives protection straight away. Starting later in your cycle, or switching from another method, needs extra precautions for a time, and your pharmacist will tell you exactly when to start and whether you need condoms.

What if you miss or are late with a Marvelon pill?

If you are less than 12 hours late with a Marvelon pill, the leaflet says protection is not reduced. Take it straight away, even if that means two pills in one day, and carry on as normal (EMC patient leaflet).

If you are more than 12 hours late, or miss more than one pill, take the most recent missed pill and use condoms for the next 7 days. If fewer than 7 pills are left in the strip, the leaflet says to go straight on to the next strip without a break. Being sick within 3 to 4 hours of a pill, or severe diarrhoea for more than 12 hours, counts as a missed pill. If you had sex in the 7 days before missing pills in week 1, ask a pharmacist promptly, as emergency contraception may be needed. Our missed pill tool can help.

What are the side effects of Marvelon?

Marvelon's common side effects, reported by up to 1 in 10 users, are headache, weight gain, breast pain or tenderness, low or changed mood, nausea and stomach pain (EMC SmPC). Many settle in the first few months. The table groups the listed effects by frequency.

Bleeding between periods can happen in the first months on any combined pill. If side effects persist, talk to a pharmacist before stopping, because a different pill may suit you. See side effects of the pill and bleeding on the pill.

What is the blood clot risk with Marvelon?

Marvelon carries a slightly higher blood clot risk than levonorgestrel combined pills. About 9 to 12 in every 10,000 people using a desogestrel combined pill develop a clot in a vein each year, compared with about 5 to 7 using levonorgestrel pills such as Microgynon, and about 2 not using hormonal contraception (FSRH, 2023).

Your pharmacist checks your risk factors before supplying it. Call 999 or go to A&E if you notice painful swelling in one leg, sudden chest pain or breathlessness, a severe or unusual headache, sudden changes in your vision, or weakness on one side. Read more in the pill and blood clots.

Who can take Marvelon?

Marvelon can be supplied to people aged 16 to 49 through the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service if the pharmacist finds it suitable. A recent blood pressure reading is needed, and you will be asked about your health, medicines, smoking and family history (NHS England PCS specification).

It is not suitable if you have had a blood clot, a heart attack or stroke, have migraine with aura, very high blood pressure, severe liver disease, or take certain hepatitis C medicines (EMC SmPC). If it is not suitable, the pharmacist will explain why and suggest another option, such as a mini pill, or a GP or sexual health clinic. The pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

How do you get Marvelon free?

Marvelon is free on the NHS from your GP, a sexual health clinic or a pharmacy offering the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service. With Contraception Direct, you book a free phone consultation, your pharmacist checks your suitability, and if a combined pill suits you it is posted in plain packaging, usually within 1 to 3 working days.

Weighing up your options? Read which contraceptive pill is right for me, or book a consultation and talk it through with a pharmacist.

This information is for general guidance only and does not replace advice from a clinician, pharmacist, or doctor. A clinician will review your consultation before any medication is supplied.