CERAZETTE ®
Treatment options
Buy CERAZETTE ® safely, securely and easily in a few simple steps. Start a consultation today to check your eligibility with a prescribing clinician, at no cost to you.
This content is intended for UK audiences only
£NaN
Only £ per Pack
What to do if you missed your CERAZETTE ® dose
The MHRA's reporting program for suspected side effects to medicines, vaccines, e-cigarettes, medical device incidents, defective or falsified (fake) products to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to ensure safe and effective use.
Learn more about reporting side effectsOther known brand names
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.
Now Patient 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?
Cerazette is available with a prescription and over the counter at a local pharmacy.
Now Patient does not allow customers to buy Cerazette directly. 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 Now Patient.
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
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information in this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
Important Information
What does Cerazette do to your body?
Does Cerazette affect your mood?
Can Cerazette stop you losing weight?
Can Cerazette make you depressed?
Does Cerazette cause bloating and weight gain?
Can Cerazette be used as HRT?
Is Cerazette a 3 hour or 12 hour pill?
Do you have to take Cerazette at the same time every day?
What age should you stop taking the pill?
Do you still get your period on Cerazette?
Will Cerazette stop my period immediately?
How long does it take Cerazette to stop your period?
Can I take 2 Cerazette a day to stop bleeding?
Do I have to take Cerazette at the same time every day?
How to skip period on Cerazette?
Which pill stops your period?
Can you get period pains on Cerazette?
Is Cerazette a good contraceptive?
What are the disadvantages of progesterone-only pill?
How long does it take for Cerazette to start working?
Does Cerazette help with heavy periods?
Can you get pregnant if you miss one pill?
What are the advantages of progesterone-only pill?
Which is the best mini-pill?
Can Cerazette cause infertility?
Can Cerazette affect fertility?
Is weight gain a side effect of Cerazette?
What's the best contraceptive pill for weight loss?
What is the best contraceptive for weight loss?
Can the pill cause belly fat?
Does birth control pills cause belly fat?
Why am I suddenly gaining weight on the mini-pill?
Do you lose weight on the desogestrel pill?
Is it harder to lose weight on the pill?
Why am I gaining so much weight on the pill?
Which pill causes more weight gain?
What is NowPatient
Telehealth and Online Pharmacy
NowPatient is a licensed online pharmacy and doctor service that is available around the world. Our service is FREE and packed with valuable features that can benefit your health such as medication reminders, educational blogs, medically approved symptoms checker, UK NHS online pharmacy, private treatment plans, Rx Advantage card, health conditions information, affordable medications options, genetic testing, home test kits, health risks, pollen meter, air quality monitor, weight loss plans, drug savings programs and lots more!
WHY WE BUILT NOWPATIENT
To improve the lives of everyone by making high-quality care accessible and convenient
We are here to improve lives. Our service gives you access to smart features and resources that can help empower you to take control of your health and improve your health outcomes. All this, in one place, for FREE. We strive to bring a fresh perspective to managing health. NowPatient can be accessed by downloading the App or using your web browser.
Download our app today
Can I trust NowPatient
Meet our medical team
We are a passionate group of clinicians and medical writers covering a broad range of specialities with experience operating in health systems in the United Kingdom & United States. Providing excellent care and advice is at the heart of everything we do. You can read more about our medical team by visiting the medical team page or learn more about how we curate content by visiting our editorial process