Cerazette 75mcg - 84 Tablets (3 month course)

Contraception Doctor Service

Cerazette is an oral contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. It is a progestogen-only pill, called POP, which doesn’t contain an oestrogen. It contains the active ingredient desogestrel 75 micrograms. This is a synthetic version of the natural progestogen sex hormones produced in the body.

• Cerazette contains a small amount of one type of female sex hormone, the progestogen desogestrel
• Most POPs work primarily by preventing the sperm cells from entering the womb but they do not always prevent the egg cell from ripening, which is the main way that combined pills work
• Cerazette is different from most POPs in having a dose that in most cases prevents the egg cell from ripening. As a result, Cerazette is a highly effective contraceptive
• In contrast to the combined pill, Cerazette can be used by women who do not tolerate oestrogens and by women who are breastfeeding

A disadvantage is that vaginal bleeding may occur at irregular intervals during the use of Cerazette. On the other hand you may not have any bleeding at all.

Desogestrel works mainly by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg each month (ovulation). It also increases the thickness of the natural mucus at the neck of the womb, making it more difficult for sperm to cross from the vagina into the womb, as well as thinning the womb lining (endometrium), making it more difficult for any successfully fertilized eggs to implant there.

The risk to develop Deep venous thrombosis is a rare occurrence, although is higher in Pill-users than in non-users. The risk with progestogen-only pills like Cerazette is believed to be lower than in users of Pills that also contain oestrogens (combined Pills).

Cerazette tablets are not recommended for use in adolescents under 18 years. The safety and efficacy of this contraceptive tablet in this age group has not been established.

Which Pill Is Right For Me?

Prescribers will take a thorough medical history before choosing the right contraceptive pill for you. For most people, the combined contraceptive pill works best. For those who are over 35, smoke, suffer from migraine or have other risk factors your doctor will look into, the Progesterone-only pill may be more suitable.

How Do You Take Cerazette & How Long After Taking It Are You Protected?

You should take Cerazette each day around the same time.

• Swallow the tablets whole, with water.
• It is important to take the tablets at the same time every day.

What Are The Side Effects of Cerazette?
Like all medicines, Cerazette can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Tell your doctor if you notice any unwanted effect, especially if severe or persistent.

• Uncommon (affecting less than 1 in 100 women) infection of the vagina, difficulties in wearing contact lenses, vomiting, hair loss, painful periods, ovarian cysts, tiredness.
• Common (affecting less than 1 in 10 women): mood changes, depressed mood, decreased sexual drive (libido), headache, nausea, acne, breast pain, irregular or no periods, weight increase.
• Rare (affecting less than 1 in 1000 women) skin conditions such as: rash, hives, painful blue-red skin lumps (erythema nodosum)

Apart from these side effects, breast secretion or leakage may occur.

You should see your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of angioedema, such as

• Swollen face, tongue or pharynx
• Difficulty to swallow
• Hives and difficulties breathing.

Can Cerazette Help You Lose Weight?

Cerazette is a hormonal contraceptive which may affect your appetite as a side effect. Everyone is affected differently. For some people it causes an increased appetite and resulting weight gain and for some it causes appetite reduction and weight loss. It is common, however, to gain weight while taking the contraceptive pill.

Are Cerazette and Cerelle The Same Thing?

Yes, they are different brands of the same drug. They both contain the active ingredient Desogestrel which is a female contraceptive hormone.

Do I Need To Use A Condom With Cerazette?

Although you will not need to use a condom to prevent pregnancy while using Cerazette, it is still advisable to use one to prevent sexually transmitted infections. The contraceptive pill does not protect you from infections such as Chlamydia or gonorrhoea.

How Do I Take Cerazette?
Take one Cerazette tablet daily at around the same time every day. Once one strip of tablets is completed, you should immediately move onto the next without a break.

I Am Experiencing Bleeding When Taking Cerazette, What Do I Do?

It is possible that you experience irregular vaginal bleeding when taking Cerazette. This does not mean that it is not working, and you should continue to take your pills as normal. You may need to use a tampon or sanitary pad.

If the bleeding is heavy and persistent however, please notify your GP.

How Does Cerazette Work?
Cerazette works by preventing the sperm from reaching the eggs by creating a barrier at the top of the cervix. It also works to prevent eggs ripening, which most progestogen only contraceptive pills do not do. This makes Cerazette a highly effective contraceptive pill.

How Long After Taking Cerazette Am I Protected?
If you start Cerazette on days 1-2 of your period, then you will be protected straight away. If you start to take it after that, then you will need to use barrier protection for 7 days until you are protected by Cerazette.

What To Do If You Miss A Dose Of Your Contraceptive Pill?
We recommend that you consult the NHS missed pill guide.

Like all medicines Cerazette can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. While side effects are usually uncommon and mild in nature, it is best to be aware of any that may occur.

Some of the side effects to be aware of are listed below. For a full list, make sure you read the patient information leaflet which comes with your medication.

Common side effects (less than 1 in 10 women)

• Mood changes / depressed mood
• Decreased libido
• Headache
• Nausea
• Acne
• Breast pain
• Irregular or no periods
• Weight increase

Uncommon (less than 1 in 100 women)

• Infection of the vagina
• Difficulties in wearing contact lenses
• Vomiting
• Hair loss
• Painful periods
• Ovarian cysts
• Tiredness

Rare (less than 1 in 1000 women)

Skin conditions - Rashes Hives, Blue-red skin lumps
 
Vaginal bleeding can occur when taking Cerazette (often irregularly), and you may need to use a tampon or sanitary towel. This does not mean Cerazette is not working, however, if bleeding is heavy or prolonged, let your GP know.

For a full list of side effects, read the Patient Information Leaflet.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, our Rightdose pharmacists or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

You can help to make medicines safer by reporting any side-effects to the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

Patient Information Leaflet Cerazette 75 microgram Film-coated Tablets (3x28 Tablets)

What are the advantages of Progesterone only contraceptives?

• Reduced likelihood of side effects associated with combined pill
• Can be used during breastfeeding
• Can help with premenstrual symptoms

What are the disadvantages of Progesterone only contraceptives?

• Can cause irregular periods
• Can cause periods to be more frequent, or stop altogether
• Must be taken at the same time each day

Please be alert and see your doctor if you think you may have symptoms of a blood clot. See more information in the Patient Information Leaflet (referred to as how to recognise a blood clot).

Other medicines and Cerazette

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Also tell any other doctor or dentist who prescribes another medicine (or the dispensing pharmacist) that you use Cerazette. They can tell you if you need to take additional contraceptive precautions (for example condoms) and if so how long., or if you may need to change the dose of other medicines you use.

Some medicines:

• can have an influence on the blood levels of Cerazette.
• can make it less effective in preventing pregnancy.
• can cause unexpected bleeding.

Also check the leaflets that come with all your medicines to see if they can be taken with hormonal contraceptives.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

Cerazette may be used while you are breast-feeding. Cerazette does not appear to influence the production or the quality of breast milk. However, there have been infrequent reports of a decrease in breast milk production while using Cerazette. A small amount of the active substance of Cerazette passes over into the milk.

The health of children who were breast-fed for 7 months while their mothers were using Cerazette has been studied up until they were 2½ years of age. No effects on the growth and development of the children were observed.

If you are breastfeeding and want to use Cerazette, please contact your doctor.

Cerazette with food and drink: There are no special instructions about food and drink while on Cerazette.

Cerazette contains lactose - If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before using Cerazette.

Driving and using machines

Cerazette has no known effect on the ability to drive or use machines.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. No clinical data on efficacy and safety are available in adolescents below 18 years.

How to store Cerazette tablets

• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the tube after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Do not store above 25°C.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

Always use this medicine exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Each pack of Cerazette contains 1 calendar strip of 28 coated tablets- 4 weeks supply.

Directions:

• Take your tablet each day at about the same time. Swallow the tablet whole, with water.
• Arrows are printed on the front of the strip, between the tablets. The days of the week are printed on the back of the strip. Each day corresponds with one tablet.
• Every time you start a new strip of Cerazette, take a tablet from the top row. Don’t start with just any tablet. For example if you start on a Wednesday, you must take the tablet from the top row marked (on the back) with WED.
• Continue to take one tablet every day until the pack is empty, always following the direction indicated by the arrows. By looking at the back of your pack you can easily check if you have already taken your tablet on a particular day.
• You may have some vaginal bleeding during the use of Cerazette, (see section 4 ‘Possible side effects) but you must continue to take your tablets as normal.
• When a strip is empty, you must start with a new strip of Cerazette on the next day - without interruption and without waiting for a bleed.

Starting your first pack of Cerazette

If you are not using hormonal contraception at present (or in the past month)

Wait for your period to begin. On the first day of your period take the first Cerazette tablet. Additional contraceptive precautions are not necessary. If you take your first tablet on days 2-5 of your period use an additional barrier method of contraception for the first 7 days of tablet-taking.

If you forget to take Cerazette

If you are less than 12 hours late:Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember and take the next one at the usual time. Cerazette will still protect you from pregnancy.

If you are more than 12 hours late:If you are more than 12 hours late in taking any tablet, you may not be completely protected against pregnancy. The more consecutive tablets you have missed, the higher the risk that you might fall pregnant. Take a tablet as soon as you remember and take the next one at the usual time. This may mean taking two in one day. This is not harmful. (If you have forgotten more than one tablet you don’t need to take the earlier missed ones). Continue to take your tablets as usual but you must also use an extra method, such as a condom, for the next 7 days.

If you are more than 12 hours late taking your tablet and have had sex it is safe to use emergency contraception; please consult your pharmacist or doctor.

If you missed one or more tablets in the very first week of starting the tablet and had intercourse in the week before missing the tablets, you may fall pregnant. Ask your doctor for advice.

When you are using Cerazette, your doctor will tell you to return for regular check-ups. In general, the frequency and nature of these check-ups will depend on your personal situation.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if:

• you notice possible signs of a blood clot e.g. severe pain or swelling in either of your legs; unexplained pains in the chest, breathlessness, an unusual cough, especially when you cough up blood (possibly a sign of a thrombosis);
• you have a sudden, severe stomach ache or jaundice (you may notice yellowing of the skin, the whites of the eyes, or dark urine, possibly a sign of liver problems);
• you feel a lump in your breast (possibly a sign of breast cancer);
• you have a sudden or severe pain in the lower abdomen or stomach area (possibly a sign of an ectopic pregnancy - a pregnancy outside the womb);
• you are to be immobilized or are to have surgery (consult your doctor at least four weeks in advance);
• you have unusual, heavy vaginal bleeding;
• you suspect that you are pregnant.

Ingredients:

The active substance is Desogestrel (75 microgram).

The other ingredients are colloidal anhydrous silica; all-rac-α-tocopherol; maize starch; povidone; stearic acid; hypromellose; macrogol 400; talc; titanium dioxide (E171); lactose monohydrate.

What Cerazette looks like and contents of the pack

Each strip of Cerazette contains 28 white round tablets. The tablets are marked KV above 2 on one side and ORGANON* on the other. Cerazette comes in a pack of 1, 3, 6 or 13 strips. Each strip is sealed in a foil sachet.