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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Should Marvelon Contraceptive Pill Be Taken?

Hi, I read about taking Marvelon for emergency contraception. Earlier I had read an article that advised to take 2 pills then wait 12 hours and take 2 more. Now I have read your post (and others) that say to take 4 each interval. So I took 2 pills at 9:00pm then waited 2 hours and took 2 more. Any advice on how I should time it? Do you still think the emergency contraception will be effective?
Fri, 28 Nov 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello there,
Thank you for the question.
Marvelon are regular contraceptive pills and not the typical emergency contraceptive pill. For them to work as an emergency contraceptive pill it has to be taken in a high dose at a 12 hour interval. The recommended dose is 4 pills immediately after having unprotected intercourse and 4 pills after 12 hours of the first dose. This method is also proven to be quite effective in preventing an unwanted pregnancy. So you did the right thing by taking 4 pills but it should have been together and not 2 hours apart. Take the next dose correctly after 12 hours of the last dose. However if you miss your period by 2-3 days please confirm with a urine pregnancy test that you are not pregnant and take action accordingly. Emergency contraceptive methods should not be used regularly and should be the last resort. Use condoms as they also protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
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How Should Marvelon Contraceptive Pill Be Taken?

Hello there, Thank you for the question. Marvelon are regular contraceptive pills and not the typical emergency contraceptive pill. For them to work as an emergency contraceptive pill it has to be taken in a high dose at a 12 hour interval. The recommended dose is 4 pills immediately after having unprotected intercourse and 4 pills after 12 hours of the first dose. This method is also proven to be quite effective in preventing an unwanted pregnancy. So you did the right thing by taking 4 pills but it should have been together and not 2 hours apart. Take the next dose correctly after 12 hours of the last dose. However if you miss your period by 2-3 days please confirm with a urine pregnancy test that you are not pregnant and take action accordingly. Emergency contraceptive methods should not be used regularly and should be the last resort. Use condoms as they also protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. Hope this helps. Take care.