Cerelle

Order Cerelle Contraceptive Pill Online

You can order the contraceptive pill Cerelle online from Simple Online Pharmacy. Our doctors can prescribe this for repeat supplies, to patients who are prescribed it already by their GP.

To order this medicine, you will need to complete a short online assessment for our doctors to review. This is to make sure it is safe and suitable for you. If approved, this medicine will be dispensed and dispatched for delivery by our pharmacy team.

What Is Cerelle?

Cerelle is a contraceptive tablet. It is a progestogen-only pill (POP) which contains the active ingredient desogestrel, a progestogen hormone. It is taken every day without a break between packs and is sometimes known as the 'mini-pill'.

During treatment with Cerelle birth control, you should continue to have regular check-ups with your GP every year. This is important to make sure it is still safe for you to take.

It is used as a regular method of contraception. This is different from emergency contraception, which is used after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.

How Does It Work?

Cerelle contains 75micrograms of desogestrel. This is a synthetic progestogen hormone, a type of female sex hormone.

Desogestrel works in two ways. Firstly it works by preventing sperm cells from entering the womb. The second, and most important, way that desogestrel works is by stopping ovulation. This means it stops an egg being released from the ovary.

Progestogen-only pills work differently from another type of pill, called combined oral contraceptives (COC). Combined oral contraceptives contain both a progestogen and an oestrogen hormone. Some women are unable to take oestrogen contraceptives. Cerelle can be a suitable contraceptive choice for these women.

Cerelle Missed Pill

If you forget to take a tablet but you are less than 12 hours late, take the tablet as soon as you realise. In this scenario, you will still be protected against pregnancy.

If you are more than 12 hours late, the contraceptive effect may be affected. The more tablets you have missed, the higher the risk of contraceptive failure. Take your next tablet as soon as you remember, and take the next dose at the usual time, even if it means taking two tablets on the same day. For the next 7 days, you should use another form of contraception (e.g. condom).

More information on missed pills is available on the NHS website.

Alternative Contraception

There are several progestogen-only pills available in the UK:

• Cerazette
• Norgeston
• Noriday
• Micronor
• Feanolla

A cheaper, generic version of desogestrel can also be prescribed.
Combined oral contraceptives are a different type of contraceptive pill because they contain oestrogen. Examples of these are Logynon, Femodene, Rigevidon, and Mercilon. Contraceptive pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections from unprotected sex.

Cerelle Summary

Written by Qualified Experts

All of our medication and condition content is written by UK qualified pharmacists and doctors.

Authored: 10/02/2023

Hywel McGlinchy

GPhC Reg: 2215744

Clinical Pharmacist

MPharm | Cardiff University

Reviewed: 23/02/2025

Karim Nassar

GPhC Reg: 2064752

UK Pharmacist, Co Founder

MPharm | Strathclyde University

Cerelle Side Effects

The most common Cerelle pill side effects include:

• Nausea
• Decreased sex drive
• Breast pain
• Headache
• Depression
• Altered mood
• Increased body weight 

Another common side effect is irregular, or no, bleeding. Some women may get light or heavy irregular bleeding and some will get none. If you have heavy bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time when taking Cerelle, speak to your doctor for advice.
See section 4 of the patient information leaflet for further information on the side effects.

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.

• Cerelle PIL

How to take Cerelle

The usual dose is to take one Cerelle tablet every day. You should try to take your dose at the same time every day. Once you finish a strip of tablets, start the next strip of tablets the next day.

The packaging for Cerelle has the days of the week marked on each strip. This can make it easier to remember to take your pill and help you to take it correctly.

Other conditions and Cerelle

Cerelle is not suitable to take for women with certain conditions. Examples of these are severe liver disease, a blood clot, any unexplained vaginal bleeding, and certain cancers such as breast cancer. Speak to your doctor before taking it if you suffer from any of the above conditions. 

Speak to your doctor if you are breastfeeding whilst taking Cerelle. A small amount of the medicine can pass into breast milk.

Interactions with other medicines

Some medicines can interact with Cerelle and may cause it to be less effective in preventing pregnancy. Other medicines may be affected by Cerelle, or increase the risk of side effects. Medicines that interact with Cerelle include certain anti-epileptic medicines, anti-HIV medicines, antifungals, and antibiotics.
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for further advice about Cerelle and other medication you take. You can also read the patient information leaflet for further information.