How To Use Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol (Velivet)

The typical dosage regimen of desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol is one tablet daily for 28 days in the order shown on the pack. For maximum effectiveness, take your pill at the same time every day. The interval between two doses should not exceed 24 hours.

Read the prescription label carefully and take desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change the dose or dosage frequency without your doctor’s approval. Do not switch to other types of oral contraceptives without talking to your doctor.

Your provider will tell you to either begin taking the first tablet of desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol on the first Sunday after menstruation (this is called a Sunday start) or on day 1 of your menstrual period (this is called a day 1 start). A self-adhesive day label strip is provided with the kit to place above the first row of tablets according to the chosen start day.

You will get withdrawal bleeding while taking the last 7 inactive tablets in the pack. Start a new pack as soon as the previous one is finished, without any gap days in between, even if your menstrual bleeding has not yet stopped. 

If you start the tablets on a Sunday, use a non-hormonal back-up birth control method such as condoms for the first 7 days to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. If you start taking the tablets on day 1 of your menstrual cycle, no back-up contraception is needed.

If you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding (spotting or breakthrough bleeding), continue the same regimen. This type of bleeding is usually temporary. However, tell your doctor if the unusual vaginal bleeding persists or recurs.

If you are switching from some other oral contraceptive to Velivet (desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol), your doctor will tell you how to make the switch.

The risk of pregnancy is very low if you take oral contraceptives perfectly. However, if you miss one or more pills, the possibility of pregnancy increases. The risk of pregnancy is more the more active tablets you miss. If you don’t get withdrawal bleeding after finishing the inactive tablets, consider the possibility of a pregnancy. 

If you did not take the tablets perfectly, i.e., if you missed one or more pills or started taking them a day later than you should have, there is a possibility of pregnancy. Do a home pregnancy test if you miss your period, and call your doctor if the result is positive. Discontinue use of the oral contraceptives if a pregnancy is confirmed. 

If you have taken the pills without missing a single dose, consider the possibility of a pregnancy after two missed periods in a row. 

If you are taking birth control pills after childbirth, abortion, or miscarriage, check with your doctor when to start desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol. Women who elect not to breast-feed can usually start taking this oral contraceptive 4-6 weeks after giving birth.

Missed dose: In case of a missed dose, call your health care professional or read the manufacturer’s information leaflet. The general guidelines for a missed dose are as follows:

• If you miss one active pill in weeks 1, 2, or 3, take it as soon as you remember. 
• If you miss two active pills in weeks 1 or 2, take 2 tablets as soon as you remember, 2 tablets the next day, and then resume 1 tablet a day until you finish the cycle pack. Use a backup method of contraception (such as condoms) if you have intercourse in the 7 days after restarting your pills. 
• If you are on the day 1 start and miss two pills in week 3 or miss three or more active pills in a row at any time during the cycle, throw the rest of that cycle pack and start a new pack the same day. Use a backup method of birth control if you have sexual intercourse in the 7 days after restarting the pills. 
• If you are on a Sunday start and miss two pills in week 3 or miss three or more active pills in a row at any time during the cycle, continue taking one pill every day until the next Sunday, then throw the rest of that pack away and start a new pack. Use a backup method of birth control if you have sexual intercourse in the 7 days after re-starting birth control pills.

Storage: Store desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in its original container, tightly closed. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.

Unused medicine: Unused or expired desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol is through your local waste disposal company or a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal. 

NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol, talk to your healthcare professionals for medical advice.

Discounted prices for desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol
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