Gestodene
Pronunciation: pronunciation varies by local usage.
- Generic name
- gestodene
- Brand names
- Femodene
- Drug class
- Synthetic progestogen
- Form
- Tablet
- Route
- Oral
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country:
Australia: · Full directory
What gestodene is and how it works
Gestodene is a synthetic progestogen available only in combination with ethinylestradiol as a combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill. This page describes gestodene in its marketed form: the gestodene/ethinylestradiol combined oral contraceptive. (1)
The combination is used for oral contraception and recognised gynaecological indications. It is not a standalone medicine; all information applies to the combination product. Eligibility and monitoring require a clinician.
Mechanism of action: how gestodene works
Gestodene is a synthetic progestogen used in combination with ethinylestradiol as a combined oral contraceptive. Detailed mechanism-of-action information (e.g., derivation, effect on ovulation/cervical mucus/endometrium) was not established from the sources reviewed for this draft. (1)
What gestodene is used for
Oral contraception
The gestodene/ethinylestradiol combination is indicated for oral contraception and may be used for recognised gynaecological indications where an oestrogen-progestogen combination is appropriate. (1)
Before taking gestodene
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not use if you have a current or history of venous thromboembolism (VTE), arterial thromboembolism (ATE), or a known predisposition to thromboembolism such as thrombophilia (e.g., Factor V Leiden, protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, antithrombin-III deficiency). (gestodene/ethinylestradiol combination) (1)
- Do not use if you have migraine with focal neurological symptoms (aura), are over 35 years of age and smoke, have severe hypertension, severe dyslipoproteinaemia, current or history of breast cancer, or severe hepatic disease or liver tumours (current or history). (gestodene/ethinylestradiol combination) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Any current or past medical conditions, especially blood clots, migraine, liver disease, breast cancer, smoking, age, and all medicines (including herbal products such as St John's Wort).
- If you become pregnant or are breastfeeding; the combination is not indicated during pregnancy and alternative contraception is generally recommended during breastfeeding.
How to take gestodene
- Take one tablet daily for 21 consecutive days, starting on the first day of menstrual bleeding. This provides immediate contraceptive protection.
- After the 21-tablet pack, have a 7-day tablet-free interval. Start the next pack on the same weekday as the first tablet of the previous cycle.
- Do not change the regimen without consulting a clinician.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1)
Missed dose
Product information distinguishes a tablet delay of 12 hours or less (contraceptive protection is maintained) from a longer delay (additional precautions and a pack-schedule adjustment apply, under the product's missed-pill rule). This summary is not a substitute for the applicable guidance — check the current patient information leaflet in your pack, or ask your pharmacist or clinician, for exactly what applies to your situation. No guidance for vomiting or diarrhoea affecting absorption was established from the sources reviewed for this draft.
Overdose
No specific overdose management protocol beyond general combined oral contraceptive principles was reviewed in the source material. If you suspect an overdose, contact a healthcare professional or poison information centre immediately.
Side effects
Common side effects listed below are reported at a frequency of at least 1% as a group. Thromboembolism, stroke, myocardial infarction, and liver tumours are documented as serious adverse effects; a specific frequency for these was not established from the sources reviewed for this draft.
Nausea
What to notice: Mild stomach discomfort
What to do: Usually transient; consult your clinician if persistent or severe. (1)
Abdominal pain
What to notice: Cramping or discomfort in the abdomen
What to do: Consult your clinician if persistent or worsening. (1)
Weight increase
What to notice: Gradual or noticeable gain in weight
What to do: Discuss with your clinician if concerning. (1)
Headache
What to notice: Mild to moderate head pain
What to do: Consult your clinician if severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms. (1)
Mood changes
What to notice: Feeling low, irritable, or emotional lability
What to do: Tell your clinician if mood changes are distressing or persistent. (1)
Breast pain or tenderness
What to notice: Soreness or sensitivity in the breasts
What to do: Usually temporary; consult your clinician if severe or prolonged. (1)
Liver tumours
What to notice: A specific patient-facing symptom list for liver tumours was not established from the sources reviewed for this draft; do not assume a particular symptom pattern.
What to do: Contact your clinician promptly for assessment of any new or unusual abdominal symptom. (1)
Serious warnings
Thromboembolism (venous or arterial), stroke, or myocardial infarction — emergency
Symptoms: A detailed itemized symptom list was not established from the sources reviewed for this draft. Thromboembolism, stroke, and myocardial infarction are documented as serious adverse effects of gestodene-containing combined oral contraceptives.
Action: Seek emergency medical attention immediately for any severe or sudden symptom you are concerned about. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Enzyme-inducing medicines (e.g., rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine) and St John's Wort | May reduce contraceptive efficacy by inducing hepatic enzymes. Product information supports additional (barrier) contraception during use of the inducing medicine and for 28 days after it is discontinued. | Tell your clinician or pharmacist about any of these medicines or St John's Wort before or during use — they will advise on any additional contraceptive precautions needed for your situation. (1) |
| Hepatitis C direct-acting antiviral combinations (e.g., ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir with or without dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) | Co-administration may cause significant liver enzyme (ALT) elevations. | These antiviral combinations are contraindicated with gestodene/ethinylestradiol-containing contraceptives. (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
Not indicated during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, contact your clinician promptly for advice on appropriate next steps — this is a decision for your clinician to make with you, not a self-directed change. (1)
Breastfeeding
Minute amounts of hormones can pass into breast milk. Alternative contraception (non-hormonal or progestogen-only) is generally recommended during early lactation; consult a clinician for individual advice. (1)
Hepatic impairment
Severe hepatic disease is a contraindication. No dose-adjustment data for mild hepatic impairment were reviewed in this research pass. (1)
Renal impairment
No specific renal dosing information was reviewed in the source material; individual assessment by the prescriber is essential.
Monitoring
Before starting
- Confirm absence of contraindications (thromboembolism, migraine with aura, smoking >35, severe hypertension, liver disease, breast cancer, etc.), as listed in the product information.
- Discuss thromboembolic risk, including the higher risk of VTE with gestodene-containing COCs compared with levonorgestrel-containing COCs.
- Specific pre-treatment assessment steps beyond these (e.g., blood-pressure measurement protocol, family-history questionnaire) were not established from the sources reviewed for this draft.
During treatment
- Specific ongoing monitoring intervals (e.g., blood-pressure check frequency) were not established from the sources reviewed for this draft; follow the prescriber's routine review schedule.
- If hepatic enzyme-inducing drugs are needed short-term, the prescriber or pharmacist should advise on any contraceptive precautions needed.
Storage
No explicit storage information was reviewed in this research pass; this remains unresolved pending verification from the current product information.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. Use the current local product information for the gestodene/ethinylestradiol combination.
UK (Femodene tablets)
Indication: Oral contraception
Dose summary: One tablet (75 mcg gestodene / 30 mcg ethinylestradiol) daily for 21 consecutive days, followed by a 7-day tablet-free interval, starting on day 1 of the menstrual cycle.
Renal context: No specific renal dosing information reviewed. (1)
Hepatic guidance
Severe hepatic disease is a contraindication. No dose-adjustment data for mild hepatic impairment, and no specific monitoring recommendation, were established from the sources reviewed for this draft.
Overdose note
No specific overdose-management protocol was established from the sources reviewed for this draft; do not assume general combined-oral-contraceptive overdose principles apply without verification. Contact a poison centre or specialist for guidance. (1)
Frequently asked questions
Is gestodene available as a standalone pill?
No, gestodene is only available in combination with ethinylestradiol as a combined oral contraceptive. (1)
What if I miss a pill?
How late the pill is affects whether you're still protected and whether you need extra precautions. Check the current patient information leaflet in your pack, or ask your pharmacist or clinician, for exactly what to do — this is not something to work out from general guidance alone. (1)
Can I take gestodene if I smoke?
This medicine is contraindicated if you are over 35 years of age and smoke. Tell your clinician about your smoking status so they can assess whether this medicine is suitable for you. (1)
What is the mechanism of action of gestodene?
Gestodene is a synthetic progestogen used in combination with ethinylestradiol as a combined oral contraceptive. Detailed mechanism-of-action information (e.g., derivation, effect on ovulation/cervical mucus/endometrium) was not established from the sources reviewed for this draft. (1)
What is the generic name of Gestodene?
The generic name is gestodene. It is sold under brand names including Femodene. (1)
What class of drug is gestodene?
Gestodene is classed as: Synthetic progestogen. (1)
References
- Femodene tablets — Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic Medicines Compendium (UK) · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-08-05 · source 1
- MYVLAR (GESTODENE, ETHINYL ESTRADIOL) TABLET [OASIS TRADING] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 2
- gestodene — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 25734)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient gestodene names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.