Cerazette Contraceptive Pill

Cerazette Mini Pill

Uses for Cerazette Contraceptive Pill

Cerazette is a progestogen-only pill (POP), also known as the mini pill, used to prevent pregnancy. This hormonal contraceptive is over 99% effective at stopping you from getting pregnant when you take the pill correctly.

How Does Cerazette Work?

Cerazette is a progestogen-only pill, which means it contains just one type of hormone – desogestrel, a progestogen. Unlike combined pills, it doesn’t contain oestrogen, which makes it suitable for women who can’t take oestrogen or who prefer not to take oestrogen-containing contraceptives.

Cerazette is different from most other progestogen-only pills because it contains a high enough dose to prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation) in most cases. This is the main way combined pills work, and it makes Cerazette highly effective.

The pill also works in two additional ways to prevent pregnancy:

• Thickens cervical mucus – Cerazette makes the mucus at the entrance to your womb thicker, which makes it much harder for sperm to get through and reach an egg.
• Thins the womb lining – The pill also thins the lining of your womb, making it less likely that a fertilised egg could implant and develop.

When you take Cerazette correctly, these three actions work together to provide highly effective protection. You’ll be protected against pregnancy as long as you take your pill at the same time every day.

Unlike combined pills, you don’t take a break with Cerazette – you take one tablet every single day without any pill-free days.

Who Can Use Cerazette Contraceptive Pill?

Cerazette is suitable for most women who have started their period and who need contraception. It’s particularly useful if you can’t take oestrogen-containing pills or if you’re breastfeeding.

Women Who Cannot Take Cerazette

Do not use Cerazette if you:

• Are allergic to desogestrel or any other ingredients in Cerazette
• Have or have had a blood clot (thrombosis) in your legs, lungs, or other parts of your body
• Have or have had jaundice (yellowing of the skin) or severe liver disease, and your liver is still not working normally
• Have or are suspected of having a cancer that grows under the influence of sex steroids, such as certain types of breast cancer
• Have any unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Are pregnant or think you might be pregnant

You should speak to your doctor before taking Cerazette if you:

• Have ever had breast cancer
• Have liver cancer
• Have ever had a thrombosis
• Have diabetes
• Suffer from epilepsy
• Have tuberculosis
• Have high blood pressure
• Have or have had chloasma (yellowish-brown pigmentation patches on the skin)

Your doctor or pharmacist will assess whether Cerazette is suitable for you, taking into account your medical history and any relevant risk factors you may have.

How to Take Cerazette Pills

Taking Cerazette correctly is important to make sure it works effectively:

1. Take one pill at the same time every day without any breaks between packs.
2. Swallow the tablet whole with water. You can take it with or without food.
3. Follow the arrows on the pack and check the day printed on the back to help you keep track.
4. Each pack contains 28 tablets – a full 4-week supply. When you finish a pack, start a new Cerazette strip the next day without any gap.

If you’re starting Cerazette for the first time, take your first tablet on the first day of your period. This will give you immediate contraceptive protection. If you start on any other day (days 2-5 of your period), you’ll need to use additional contraception (like condoms) for the first 7 days.

Try to take your Cerazette tablet at the same time each day to help you remember and to keep hormone levels steady in your body. Set a daily alarm on your phone if it helps.

Side Effects of Cerazette Mini Pill

Like all medicines, Cerazette can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. The most common side effect is irregular vaginal bleeding, which often settles down after the first few months.

Common Side Effects

These may affect up to 1 in 10 women:

• Mood changes or feeling low
• Decreased sex drive
• Headache
• Nausea
• Acne
• Breast pain
• Irregular bleeding or no periods at all
• Weight gain

Uncommon Side Effects

These may affect up to 1 in 100 women:

• Vaginal infection
• Difficulties wearing contact lenses
• Vomiting
• Hair loss
• Painful periods
• Ovarian cysts
• Tiredness

Rare Side Effects

These may affect up to 1 in 1,000 women:

• Rash or hives
• Painful blue-red skin lumps (erythema nodosum)

Serious Side Effects

Stop taking Cerazette and seek immediate medical help if you experience:

• Signs of a blood clot – such as severe pain or swelling in your legs, unexplained chest pain, breathlessness, unusual cough (especially if you cough up blood)
• Sudden severe stomach pain or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction – such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing

Irregular Bleeding

Vaginal bleeding may occur at irregular intervals while using Cerazette. This could be slight spotting that doesn’t require a pad, or heavier bleeding that looks like a light period. You may also have no bleeding at all.

Irregular bleeding is not a sign that Cerazette isn’t working. In most cases, you don’t need to take any action – just continue to take your pills as normal. If bleeding is heavy or prolonged, you should consult your doctor.

For a full list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.

If you experience any side effects, whether listed here or not, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme, which helps improve the safety of medicines for everyone.

Cerazette Contraceptive Pill Ingredients

Active ingredient: Desogestrel 75 micrograms

Inactive ingredients: Colloidal anhydrous silica, all-rac-α-tocopherol, maize starch, povidone, stearic acid, hypromellose, macrogol 400, talc, titanium dioxide (E171), lactose monohydrate.

Warnings & Precautions

• Keep Cerazette out of sight and reach of children.
• Store the blister pack in the original box to protect from light and moisture. Use within 1 month from the date of first opening the sachet.
• Do not use Cerazette after the expiry date shown on the packaging.
• Cerazette doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Use condoms for protection against STIs. If you need protection from both pregnancy and STIs, you’ll need to use Cerazette alongside a barrier contraceptive method like condoms.
• If you have persistent vomiting or severe diarrhoea, Cerazette may not work properly. Use additional contraception until you’ve been well for 7 days.
• Cerazette contains lactose. If your doctor has told you that you’re intolerant to some sugars, speak to them before taking this medicine.
• Some medicines can make Cerazette less effective, including certain antibiotics, epilepsy medications, and St John’s Wort. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you’re taking.
• If you need to be immobilised or are having surgery, consult your doctor at least four weeks in advance.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you notice possible signs of a blood clot, severe stomach pain, jaundice, a lump in your breast, or unusual heavy vaginal bleeding.