Cerazette (75mg)

What is Cerazette?

Cerazette is the brand name for a medicine called desogestrel, which is a progestin medicine used in birth control pills for women.

It is a progestogen-only pill, meaning it does not contain oestrogen. This type of contraception is often referred to as the ‘mini-pill’.

You need a prescription to be able to buy Cerazette. 

How effective is Cerazette at preventing pregnancy?

When taken properly, the progestogen-only pill is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

How does Cerazette work?

The Cerazette contraceptive pill works by increasing the levels of progesterone in your body, which prevents an egg from being released from the ovaries. It thickens the fluid in the cervix, preventing sperm from entering the womb and fertilising any eggs that may have already been released, ensuring you are protected against pregnancy.

Additionally, it thins the lining of the womb, making it far less likely that a fertilised egg can grow there.

Who can take Cerazette?

Cerazette is not suitable for all women to use.

Do not use Cerazette without consulting your doctor first if any of the following conditions apply to you:

• You are allergic to desogestrel or any of the other ingredients listed in this medicine (see the Ingredients tab for full details)
• You have any unexplained vaginal bleeding
• You have or have ever had any form of thrombosis (blood clots)
• You currently have or have ever had jaundice, severe liver disease, or your liver is not working properly
• You have or are suspected of having cancer that can grow with sex steroids, such as types of breast cancer

This list is not exhaustive. Read the patient information leaflet for a full list of warnings.

Can you buy Cerazette over the counter?

Cerazette is a prescription-only medicine (POM). You cannot buy it without a prescription and it is not available over the counter.

Can you buy Cerazette online in the UK?

You can buy Cerazette from our online pharmacy following an online consultation with one of our doctors, who will prescribe this medicine if they believe it to be suitable for you.

Cerazette Alternatives

If you are in search of a different contraceptive pill, Medicine Direct stocks a wide range of alternatives. You should speak to your doctor about switching contraceptive pills.

Norgeston is also a progestogen-only pill (POP), which can be ordered from our online pharmacy after an online consultation.

Combined contraceptive pills are also available. These pills contain a combination of the hormones progestogen and oestrogen and are almost 100% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Below are just some of the combined pills available from Medicine Direct:

• Synphase
• Noriday
• Femodene
• Femodette

How to take Cerazette

Each pack of Cerazette contains 28 white pills.

Take one pill each day at around the same time. When you finish taking the pills in one pack, start to use a new pack the very next day. Do not leave a gap between packs.

Swallow Cerazette pills whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew them.

Read the patient information leaflet for a full list of instructions. 

Cerazette Side Effects

The below reactions are common and may affect up to 1 in every 10 women who take it:

• Acne
• Nausea
• Headache
• Weight gain
• Decreased sex drive, mood alteration
• Depression
• Breast pain, irregular or no menstruation

Less common effects may include:

• Vaginal infection
• Vomiting
• Hair loss
• Ovarian cysts
• Painful menstruation
• Tiredness

Speak to your doctor if any of these reactions bother you or do not go away.

These lists are not exhaustive; always refer to the patient information leaflet, which will come with your medicine, for full details.

Cerazette Warnings and Drug Interactions

The active ingredient within Cerazette may interact with other medicines, which could hinder its effectiveness or increase your risk of side effects.

Tell your doctor if you are already taking other medication. 

In particular, be sure to inform your doctor if you are taking any medicines for:

• The HIV infection, such as ritonavir, nelfinavir, or nevirapine
• High blood pressure, angina, or certain heart rhythm disorders
• Any medicines for depression, particularly those which contain St. John's Wort
• Epilepsy
• Tuberculosis
• Fungal infections
• High blood pressure in the lungs' blood vessels
• Hepatitis C virus infection
• Other infectious diseases
• Certain bacterial infections, such as erythromycin or clarithromycin

Cerazette will not aid in preventing you from catching sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To effectively prevent catching an STI, you should use a condom.

Read the patient information leaflet for full warnings. 

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not use Cerazette if you are currently pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are trying to get pregnant.

Cerazette can be used if you are breastfeeding as it does not interfere with the production of breast milk. However, small amounts of the active ingredient will make its way into your milk.

No effects on the growth or development of children who were breastfed while their mother took Cerazette have been found in research. Nonetheless, you should still inform your doctor if you wish to start using this contraceptive pill and are currently breastfeeding.

Cerazette Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Desogestrel

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

How much does it cost to buy Cerazette online in the UK?

FAQ

Do you get a period while taking Cerazette?

Many women who take Cerazette do not get a period as the pill is taken every day. This is normal and should not be a cause for concern.

How long does Cerazette take to work?

You will be protected straight away if you start to take Cerazette between days 1 and 5 of your period.

Can I use Cerazette to delay periods?

No, you should not use Cerazette to delay your periods as you need to take it every day.

If I miss a pill could I get pregnant?

Yes, you could get pregnant if you miss a pill by more than 12 hours. The risk increases the more pills you miss. Read the patient information leaflet for instructions on what to do if you miss a pill.

Can Cerazette cause depression?

You can experience depressed moods or depression while taking contraceptive pills like Cerazette. Tell your doctor if you suffer from depression before you start to take Cerazette. If you feel depressed while taking this medication, speak to your doctor about it.

Can Cerazette cause bleeding?

You may experience irregular vaginal bleeding while using Cerazette, although this doesn’t affect everyone. Consult your doctor immediately if you have any unexplained vaginal bleeding that is unusually heavy.

Can Cerazette cause diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea is not a side effect commonly associated with Cerazette. However, if you have diarrhoea within four hours of taking Cerazette, the medicine may not have been completely absorbed.

If I stop using Cerazette, how long until I have a period?

Most women get their first period sometime between two and four weeks after coming off the pill.

At what age should I stop taking Cerazette?

Women can stop taking the contraceptive pill at the age of 55, as it is highly unlikely that you will become pregnant after this age.

Does Cerazette cause weight gain?

Women who take contraceptive pills like Cerazette often report weight gain as a side effect. If this occurs and worries you, speak to your doctor.