Abstract

Mercilon (Organon) is a new combined oral contraceptive “developed with the mature pill user in mind”. Each tablet contains ethinyloestradiol 20µg + desogestrel 150µg. It is a lower dose version of Marvelon (ethinyloestradiol 30µg + desogestrel 150µg),¹ which is intended for younger women, and like Marvelon contains the highly selective progestagen desogestrel, which is said to be more progestagenic and less androgenic than other commonly used progestagens.² Like other monophasic combined oral contraceptives, Mercilon is taken daily for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break.