Cerazette

What is Cerazette?

Cerazette is a contraceptive pill for women to prevent pregnancy. It’s a type of progesterone-only pill, often known as the mini pill. It only contains one type of hormone and it’s often prescribed for women who encountered side effects with the combined pill or cannot take it for medical reasons. The combined pill contains synthetic versions of both progesterone and oestrogen. 

How does Cerazette work?

Cerazette contains a synthetic version of the progesterone hormone. Progesterone is produced naturally by your body during your menstrual cycle. Cerazette works by stopping ovulation so that your ovaries do not release an egg into the womb. It also thins the lining of the womb and  thickens the mucus surrounding the entrance to the womb so that sperm cannot enter through the vagina so easily. All this protects against pregnancy by stopping fertilisation and creating an artificial menstrual cycle. 

How effective is Cerazette?

If Cerazette is taken correctly, it has an efficiency of over 99% but it’s estimated that the progesterone-only pill is actually 92% effective, taking into account how it’s often taken. This includes external factors, such as remembering to take it every day, and at the correct time.

When does Cerazette start to work?

If you start Cerazette on days 1-5 of your period, then it will protect you against pregnancy right away. If you start taking it at any other time of the month then you’ll need to wait two days before it starts to work. 

Cerazette for non-contraceptive purposes

Cerazette is only used to prevent pregnancy, it cannot be used for period delay. 

Active ingredients

Desogestrel is the active ingredient in Cerazette which is a synthetic version of progesterone. 

Inactive ingredients

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

How to start Cerazette

The best time to start Cerazette is on the first day of your period. If you start it on day 1-5 then you’ll be protected from pregnancy right away but if your menstrual cycle is shorter, where you have your period every 23 days or less, then you may not be protected unless you’ve taken Cerazette on day one. You can start Cerazette at any time, but if it’s at a different point in the month then you’ll need to use another method of contraception for the first couple of days to ensure you are protected against pregnancy. 

How to take Cerazette

Once you start Cerazette it should be taken everyday, with no break between packs. The most effective time to start taking Cerazette is the first day of your period but you can start it at any time as long as there is no chance that you are pregnant. Choose a time that is convenient for you to take your pill, as you’ll need to take it at this time every day, or within twelve hours of it, for the pill to be effective. 

Cerazette dosage

Cerazette contains a 75mg dose of desogestrel in each pill. You should take one pill every day.

What should I do if I missed a pill?

If you miss a pill you will not be protected against pregnancy and should use additional contraception such as condoms or a diaphragm for 48 hours. You should take the missing pill as soon as you remember, even if that means taking two at once (but if you’ve missed more than one, take only the most recent missed pill.) Continue taking the rest of your pills at the correct time. 

What should I do if I took a pill too late?

If you have taken a pill too late, i.e more than 12 hours after you were scheduled to take it, then follow the same instructions as if you have missed a pill. You’ll need to use condoms, or another method of contraception, for the next two days. If you realise that you have taken your pill too late, or missed it, and you have already had unprotected sex then you may need to take emergency contraception. 

Cerazette side effects

Cerazette usually does not cause side effects and many women find that it’s more compatible than the combined pill. If you do experience side effects these are likely to include: 

• Tender breasts
• Acne
• Mood changes
• Irregular sex drive
• Headaches
• Feeling sick or vomiting
• Ovarian cysts- these usually disappear on their own and are filled with fluid  

Contraindications

Cerazette is not suitable for women who:

• Could be pregnant 
• Have heart or arterial disease
• Have had a stroke
• Have liver disease or a history of breast cancer 
• Have scarring of the liver
• Don’t wish to have changes to their period   

Drug interactions

There are certain types of medication which can interact with Cerazette and cause it to become ineffective. These are: 

• Medicines for HIV, epilepsy or hepatitis C
• Antibiotics
• High blood pressure medication
• St. John’s Wort
• Some antifungal treatments

You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines.  

Do Cerazette side effects decrease over time?

Yes, you can expect side effects to disappear after the first couple of months. If they don’t, then speak to your doctor for advice.

How to cope with Cerazette side effects

If you do experience side effects while taking Cerazette they are usually short lived. Keep hydrated by drinking lots of water and eat properly to reduce headaches and nausea. Painkillers can be taken if you are getting headaches but these side effects usually disappear once your body gets used with Cerazette.

Cerazette and alcohol

Drinking alcohol does not cause any adverse effects alongside Cerazette.

Will Cerazette make my periods irregular?

Some women may experience irregular bleeding while other women find that their periods stop altogether. There is no way to tell how it will affect each individual so you should be prepared for this possibility. 

Why does Cerazette sometimes cause breast tenderness?

The progesterone hormone contained in Cerazette might cause the ligaments in the breast to stretch, enlarging the breast glands. This is what causes breast tenderness.  

Does Cerazette have any long term effects on your fertility?

Taking Cerazette will not affect your fertility in the long run. It’s usually possible to get pregnant as soon as you stop taking the pill. 

Can I take Cerazette with antidepressants?

Cerazette can be taken safely alongside antidepressants. However, if you are taking the herbal remedy St. John’s Wort this may interact with Cerazette. If you are taking antidepressants then you should inform your doctor or pharmacist of this to be certain that they won’t be affected by Cerazette. 

Switching contraceptive pill

If you wish to switch the type of contraceptive pill you are taking, you should discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist who will advise you what to do based on your individual circumstances. Usually, you’ll be able to start taking your new pill straight away without taking a break. However, depending on which pill you are currently taking and which one you are switching to, it may be necessary to use additional methods of contraception, like condoms, for the first month until your cycle adjusts.

Cerazette vs combined pill

Cerazette only contains desogestrel, which is a synthetic version of progesterone whereas the combined pill contains both progesterone and oestrogen. Cerazette causes less side effects than the combined pill and has fewer health risks associated with it. It’s also a suitable option for women who are breastfeeding. However, the combined pill provides greater control over your period and can also have a positive effect on PMS and acne.

Alternatives to Cerazette

There are three different types of progesterone-only contraceptive pills available in the UK. These are Desogestrel (which Cerazette is a brand of), Levonorgestrel and Norethisterone. Cerazette may be more convenient as you have a 12 hour window to take it in case you forget, whereas with other types you’ve only got a three hour window. Aside from the contraceptive pill, other methods of long term contraception include the implant, injection IUS, IUD and the patch.

Can you use Cerazette for period delay?

Unlike the combined pill, Cerazette cannot be used to delay your period. The mini pill is taken continuously instead of having a seven day break in between packs. If you wish to delay your period for an important occasion, discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you can switch to the combined pill. 

When can I get pregnant after taking Cerazette?

It may take three months for your body to readjust after coming off Cerazette so you should allow some time for your natural cycle to return. However, you can become pregnant as soon as you stop taking the pill. The time it takes will differ for every woman.

If I have vomited, will Cerazette still work?

If you vomit within two hours of taking Cerazette then the pill may not have taken effect. If this happens, take another pill either right away or within twelve hours of your usual time and continue to take the rest of your pills as usual. Otherwise, use condoms for the next seven days and keep taking the rest of your pills on time.

Sources

• Patient Information Leaflet
• NHS > Progestogen-only pill
• NHS > When will my periods come back after I stop taking the pill?
• Patient > Progestogen-only pill