Cerazette

Other Related Names or Treatments

Lovima, Hana, Cerelle

About Cerazette

Cerazette is a progesterone-only mini pill containing desogestrel as its active ingredient. It is used to provide protection against pregnancy. It does not contain an oestrogen as would combined contraceptive pills.

Cerazette works by stopping the release of an egg each month from the ovaries, preventing ovulation during the menstrual cycle. It also makes cervical mucus thicker, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix, and makes the lining of the womb thinner, so fertilised eggs are less likely to implant in the uterus wall.

NowPatient offers the Cerazette birth control pills for the prevention of pregnancy only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.

Key facts of Cerazette

• For the prevention of pregnancy
• There is no evidence that the Cerazette pill causes weight gain
• Cerazette has some common side effects which include headache and migraine
• It can be dangerous if you take Cerazette with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
• Cerazette will not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through unprotected sex

Who is Cerazette not suitable for?

Cerazette may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Cerazette if you:

• Are allergic to peanut, soya, the active ingredient desogestrel or the inactive ingredients such as lactose monohydrate, soybean oil, polyethylene glycol, or titanium dioxide
• Have ever had a blood clot in the leg or lungs
• Have a family history of heart attacks or stroke
• Have ever had angina or transient ischaemic attack
• Suffer from migraines with aura
• Have a liver disease, liver tumours or any other liver problems
• Have kidney disease
• Have ever had breast cancer or cancer of the cervix, vagina or uterus
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Have suffered from jaundice, pemphigoid gestationis (a rash involving blisters of the hands and feet), or pruritus while pregnant
• Have a family history of breast cancer
• Have pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Have diabetes
• Have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Have haemolytic uraemic syndrome, high blood cholesterol, or sickle cell anaemia
• Have epilepsy
• Have systemic lupus erythematosus

How and where to get Cerazette?

You can buy Cerazette safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.

Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with one of our prescribers for a contraceptive, you can discuss if Cerazette is a suitable treatment option for you.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.

Dosage and strength for Cerazette for contraception

The Cerazette blister pack contains 28 Cerazette 75 microgram film coated tablets.

Information about how to take Cerazette for contraception

Take 1 Cerazette tablet each day, at the same time every day. Start a new pack of Cerazette tablets immediately after completing the previous pack. Take your first tablet in order of the day of the week and follow the directions printed on the pack.

If you forget to take a Cerazette tablet, take the missed pill as soon as you are able to do so, if it has been less than 12 hours. If you do not take the missed pill within 12 hours of your usual time, you will not be protected against pregnancy. You will need to use an extra form of additional contraception such as a condom for the next 48 hours. Read the patient information leaflet or speak to your healthcare provider for further medical advice.

What happens if you take too much Cerazette?

If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much Cerazette and you experience any of the following side effects.

What are the side effects of Cerazette?

Side effects of Cerazette are split into common and serious.

Common side effects include:

• Breast tenderness
• Breast pain
• Weight changes
• Breakthrough bleeding between periods
• Mood changes
• Headache and migraine
• Nausea, stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Vaginal dryness
• Vaginal thrush
• High blood pressure
• Hair loss

Serious side effects include:

• Increased risk of blood clots
• Cervical cancer
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Pulmonary embolism

If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.

If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.

• Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• Someone faints and cannot be woken up

Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient

Information about taking Cerazette at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements

There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal remedies and Cerazette. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements or other medications such as:

• Epilepsy treatments – phenytoin or carbamazepine
• Rifampicin
• HIV medicines – ritonavir
• Hepatitis C medicines – telaprevir or boceprevir
• Antifungal medicines – ketoconazole or griseofulvin
• St John’s Wort
• Medicines for high blood pressure, chest pain or irregular heartbeats – diltiazem or verapamil

Why might Cerazette not work for contraception?

Cerazette may not work for you and common reasons may be:

• Missed pills
• Taking other medicines that interfere with Cerazette
• Cerazette not being absorbed due to vomiting and diarrhoea

Can Cerazette taken for contraception be taken long term?

Using medication like Cerazette is safe, provided your doctor has approved it. You should speak to your doctor when deciding to stay on hormonal contraception long term.

Is there a herbal Cerazette?

No. Herbal Cerazette does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.

Can women use Cerazette?

Women can take Cerazette for contraception, but should speak to a doctor if considering taking Cerazette while breast-feeding (Cerazette has not been seen to affect breast milk).

Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Cerazette?

You can eat and drink normally when taking Cerazette.

Alternatives to Cerazette

Alternative method of contraception include:

• Implants
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• Oral birth control pills (combined oral contraceptive pill and progestogen only pill)
• Vaginal rings
• Barrier method – condoms, diaphragms
• Tubal ligation and vasectomy
• Emergency contraception containing levonorgestrel

Sources

• Products MHRA Gov
• Which method of contraception suits me? – NHS