Combined contraceptive pill ingredients
There are different types of combined pills and many different brands. They can also be taken in different ways. All types are equally good at preventing pregnancy. The pill brand and ingredients are printed on your pill packaging and the patient information leaflet inside the box.
If you've never taken the combined pill before, a popular first choice is a pill containing levonorgestrel 150mcg and ethinylestradiol 30mcg (Microgynon 30 or Rigevidon).
If you would like to switch pills and don't know which pill to choose, order the pill that you're currently taking. The SHL.UK consultation will ask if you want to switch and a clinician will recommend suitable alternatives.
| Contraceptive | Oestrogen (micrograms) | Progestogen (micrograms) |
|---|
| Combined pills |
|---|
| Ethinylestradiol/Levonorgestrel |
|---|
| Microgynon 30 | 30 | 150 |
| Rigevidon | 30 | 150 |
| Microgynon ED | 30 | 150 |
| Logynon | 30 | 50 |
| Ethinylestradiol/Desogestrel |
|---|
| Mercilon | 20 | 150 |
| Gedarel | 30 | 150 |
| Marvelon | 30 | 150 |
| Ethinylestradiol/Drospirenone |
|---|
| Eloine | 20 | 3000 |
| Yasmin | 30 | 3000 |
| Ethinylestradiol/Gestodene |
|---|
| Katya | 30 | 75 |
| Millinette | 30 | 75 |
| Ethinylestradiol/Norethisterone |
|---|
| Brevinor | 35 | 500 |
| Ethinylestradiol/Norgestimate |
|---|
| Cilique | 35 | 250 |
| Progestogen-only pills |
|---|
| Desogestrel |
|---|
| Cerelle | | 75 |
| Norethisterone |
|---|
| Noriday | | 350 |
| Levonorgestrel |
|---|
| Norgeston | | 30 |
| Vaginal rings |
|---|
| Ethinylestradiol/ Etonogestrel |
|---|
| NuvaRing | 15 | 120 |
| Contraceptive patches |
|---|
| Ethinylestradiol/Norelgestromin |
|---|
| Evra patch | 600 | 6000 |