- Smoke

- Have a history of heart attack or stroke

- Have had blood clots in your lungs, eyes, legs, or in the deep veins of your legs

Do not use birth control pills if you are pregnant. Also, the pill may not be the right choice for you if you have other conditions not listed here. Therefore, be sure to talk to your doctor about your medical history. For complete information on the risks and benefits of all birth control pills, please see the Detailed Patient Package Insert. In addition, it is important to have regular check-ups when taking the pill.

Getting started

You have a choice of which day to start taking your first pack of pills. You may begin taking the pill on the first day of your period (Day 1 Start) or on the first Sunday after your period begins (Sunday Start). Decide with your doctor or health care provider which is the best day for you.

Breast self-examination

It is important for you to examine your breasts every month. The best time for this is 2 to 3 days after your period ends. As a reminder, a breast self-examination label is provided with each pack of Mercilon. Ask your doctor to show you how to do a breast self-exam correctly. Use these instructions for reference.

1. Stand in front of a mirror and look at both breasts. Check for anything unusual such as puckered, dimpled, or scaly skin, or any fluid coming from the nipples.

2. Hold your hands behind your head and press your hands against your head. Look to see if there is any change in the shape of your breasts.

3. Place your hands on your hips and continue to look for changes in the shape of your breasts. Bend slightly toward the mirror as you pull your shoulders and elbows forward.

4. The next steps may be done in the shower, so your fingers can glide more easily over the skin:

Raise your left arm and use the pads (not the tips) of the first 3 fingers of your right hand, and begin pressing on your left breast.
Make small circular movements as you slowly move your right hand counter-clockwise from the outside ofthe breast toward the nipple.
Vary the pressure in each spot from heavy to light and look for changes in how your skin feels, changes below the surface, and changes closer to your ribs.
Without lifting your hand, squeeze the nipple to check for fluid.
Repeat the entire process with the other breast.
Now raise your left arm and again use the pads of your first 3 fingers of your right hand to feel the area in and around your armpits for any unusual lumps. Repeat under the other arm.

5. After towel drying, repeat step # 4 while lying flat on your back. Place a pillow or your towel under your left shoulder to flatten your left breast, then raise your left arm over your head. Touch your left breast using the circular motions described above. Check the nipple and the underarm area as before. Repeat on your right side.

Call your doctor if you see any change in size, shape, feel, color, or appearance of either breast; unusual sensation or fluid from the nipples; burning or pain in the chest area; stiffness in the chest, shoulder, or upper arm; or lumps in the breast or underarm area.

Serious as well as minor side effects have been reported with the use of birth control pills.

Most Women Who Start With Mercilon Stay With Mercilon

Ask your doctor if Mercilon is right for you.

Mercilon was designed to give you effective birth control with a low incidence of problems like spotting between periods or other annoyances such as bloating, breast tenderness, or nausea. No wonder most women who start with Mercilon stay with Mercilon1.

OCs do not protect against HIV (AIDS) infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. The use of OCs is associated with increased risks of several serious side effects, including thromboembolic diseases. Some studies suggest that this risk is slightly increased by OCs containing desogestrel; additional studies do not support this finding. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects; women who take OCs are strongly advised not to smoke.


mercilon : Full Prescribing Information