How to use Cerazette

Before starting Cerazette you must ensure that you have read and understood how to take this medication, which is detailed in the Patient Information Leaflet.

Cerazette is for oral use only, to prevent pregnancy. It can be prescribed online by our medical team at The Independent Pharmacy for women over the age of 18 years who have had it previously prescribed by their GP.

• Take 1 Cerazette tablet every day at the same time with a glass of water until the packet is empty. Each pack contains 28 pills.
• Start each new packet on the top row and take the tablet that correlates with the right day of the week printed on the pack over each tablet and follow the arrows.
• When you finish a pack, start a new pack, in the same way, on the following day. Do not have a break.

How do you start taking Cerazette?

If you are not currently using or have not used any hormonal contraception in the past month:

• Wait for your period to start and take your first Cerazette tablet on day 1 of your period.
• You will not need to use any barrier contraceptives such as condoms to prevent pregnancy.
• If you start taking Cerazette anytime after day 1 of your period you will need to use a barrier method of contraception for 7 days.

If you are switching from a combined pill, vaginal ring or transdermal patch:

• Take your first Cerazette tablet, on the first day after your tablet, ring or patch-free break of your previous contraceptive and use barrier contraception such as condoms for 7 days.

OR

• Do not have a tablet, ring or patch-free break and start taking Cerazette the day after you take your last tablet from your present pack, or on the day of removal of your vaginal ring or patch. You will not need to use additional barrier contraception.

If you are changing from any other progestogen-only-pill:

• You can switch on any day and you will not need to use additional barrier contraception.

If you are changing from an injection or implant or hormonal IUS such as the coil:

• Take your first Cerazette tablet the day your next injection is due or on the day that your implant or your IUS is removed. You will not need to use additional barrier contraception.

If you are using Cerazette after having a baby:

• Start taking Cerelle between day 21 and 28 after your baby is born. You will not need to use additional barrier contraception.
• If you start taking Cerazette after day 28 you will need to use a barrier contraceptive such as a condom, during the first 7 days.

What if I missed a Cerazette pill?

If you are over 12 hours late taking Cerazette or you vomit or have diarrhoea with 3-4 hours, this counts as a “missed pill”:

• Take the “missed pill” as soon as you remember or as soon as you feel well enough and then continue to take your pills at the usual time the next day. You may need to take 2 on the same day.
• You should use a barrier method of contraception such as a condom for 7 days to protect you from pregnancy.
• If you are more than 12 hours late taking your pill and have had sex, you can use emergency contraception to protect you from pregnancy.

If you are less than 12 hours late taking your Cerazette tablet:

• Take the late pill as soon as you remember and take the next tablet at the usual time.
• You will still be protected from pregnancy.

Cerazette ingredients

The active ingredients contained in Cerazette are: 75mcg desogestrel

Cerazette also contains the following inactive ingredients: Colloidal anhydrous silica, all-rac-a-tocopherol, maize starch, povidone, stearic acid, hypromellose, macrogol 400, talc, titanium dioxide (E171), lactose monohydrate.

Cerazette side effects

Before taking Cerazette tablets, you should take time to familiarise yourself with all side effects detailed in the Patient Information Leaflet.

Like other medications, Cerazette may cause some people to experience side effects. These normally improve after the first few months of taking a progesterone-only pill.

If you experience severe side effects or an allergic reaction while taking Cerazette you should get immediate medical advice from a doctor or your nearest emergency department.

If you are concerned about any side effects or you find they do not improve after the first few months or after you stop taking Cerazette you should speak to a doctor, pharmacist or nurse for advice.

The most common side effects linked to taking Cerazette are:

• Irregular periods, spotting or no periods.
• Changes to your mood
• Less sexual desire
• Headaches
• Feeling sick
• Acne and spots
• Breast pain and tenderness
• Weight gain

Cerazette warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

Cerazette is unsuitable for you if you have:

• An allergy to any of the ingredients of Cerazette
• Ever had a blood clot in the leg or lungs
• Impaired liver function (including jaundice)
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding

You may be advised not to take Cerazette if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

• A history of breast cancer
• Liver cancer
• Epilepsy
• Diabetes
• Tuberculosis
• High blood pressure
• A history of blood clots
• Chloasma

Cerazette and cancer

Do not use Cerazette if you have breast cancer, or if you have had it before. Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives may slightly increase your chance of developing breast cancer. Once you have stopped using the Pill for at least 10 years, your risk levels will come back down. Women who are elderly and/or overweight are more vulnerable to breast cancer. Take care using Cerazette if a close relative has suffered from breast cancer before. Check your breasts and nipples regularly for any changes or lumps. If you notice anything abnormal, visit your doctor as soon as you can.

Cerazette and other medication

The following medicines may impact the effectiveness of Cerazette:

• Epilepsy medicines (e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine)
• Tuberculosis medicines (e.g. rifampicin)
• HIV medicines (e.g. ritonavir)
• Medical charcoal
• St John’s Wort

Please read all packaging and the Product Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.