Zelleta

Buy Zelleta Online

Written by Clinical Pharmacist Tyson Wilkman

You can buy the Zelleta pill from our registered UK doctor and pharmacy service. Complete a quick online assessment to ensure that you are suitable for the mini-pill service and our doctor and pharmacy team can send the medicine to you anywhere within the UK.

What is Zelleta?

Zelleta is a contraceptive pill known as a mini-pill or progesterone-only pill. This is because it only contains the natural female hormone progesterone in the form of desogestrel. These pills are highly effective at preventing pregnancy if taken correctly.

Unlike the combined pill, Zelleta does not contain oestrogen making it more suitable for those who cannot take oestrogens due to health risks or side effects.

How does Zelleta work?

It works by thickening the mucus around the cervix. This prevents the movement of sperm through the cervix where it could potentially meet an egg. Zelleta is unique among mini pills as its starting dose of 75 micrograms is often also enough to prevent ovulation in most women.

Is Zelleta effective?

As a result of the two ways Zelleta works, it can be up to 99% effective in protecting against pregnancy if taken correctly. This means under 1 in 100 women taking this pill for 12 months will get pregnant. If not taken correctly the effectiveness can drop. Ensure you follow the directions for use closely to avoid drops in effectiveness.

Zelleta Summary

Zelleta alternatives

There are many methods of contraception. Each can be more suitable to different women depending on their health, medicines, and other factors. You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist about which contraceptive pill is right for you.

Some alternative methods of contraception are:

• Other mini pills
• Combined pills
• Long-acting reversible contraception
• Barrier contraception

What are the side effects of the Contraceptive Pill?

While side effects are usually uncommon and mild in nature, it is best to be aware of any that may occur. Some of the most common side effects include mood swings, headaches, nausea, and breast tenderness.  

For a full list of side effects and more information, you can read the NHS Choices site on contraception. Alternatively, see the patient information leaflet for your pill.

What are the advantages of the Combined Oral Contraceptive?

The combined oral contraceptive can help to make periods lighter, less painful and more regular. When taken correctly the combined pill is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. It can also help reduce the risk of womb and ovarian cancer.

What are the disadvantages of the Combined Oral Contraceptive?

The combined oral contraceptive can cause side effects including breast pain, spotting, and nausea. Other side effects such as headaches and mood swings are also common.

What are the advantages of the Progesterone only contraceptive?

One advantage of the progestogen-only pill is that it has a lower likelihood of side effects because it does not contain oestrogen. It can also be used by women who are unable to take oestrogen. Women who are breastfeeding can take the progestogen-only pill at the same time.

What are the disadvantages of the Progesterone only contraceptive?

The mini pill has to be taken at the same time every day. If you are more than 3 hours late (or 12 hours for the desogestrel pill), it may not be effective. It may cause periods to be irregular, they may stop altogether or get more frequent.

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, the progesterone-only pill may be more suitable. Talk to your doctor to discuss the best course of action for contraception.

Am I protected against pregnancy straight away?

Some pills, if taken correctly, will provide protection immediately, while others take time to provide contraceptive cover. Refer to the patient information leaflet of your pill to find out when you are protected on your pill.

Do I still need to use a condom?

Although you will be covered against pregnancy with the pill, it is always advised to use a condom. This is to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted disease such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea. No contraceptive pill will protect against sexually transmitted infections.

I forgot to take my pill – what should I do?

You should always take your pill around the same time each day to ensure maximum contraceptive cover. Different pills vary in the amount of time you can delay your dose. Always refer to your prescribed medication’s patient information leaflet to find more detailed information relating to missed doses.

Where can I get the contraceptive pill in the UK?

In the UK, you should speak to a GP or visit a sexual health clinic if you would like to get the contraceptive pill prescribed. This is free via the NHS.

You can order the contraceptive pill online from Simple Online Pharmacy if you have already been prescribed it by your doctor. You must complete a medical assessment form for our doctors to review. They can use this to make sure it is safe and suitable for you to take. We offer delivery (including next working day options) via the Royal Mail. 

Content Reviewed: 14/01/2021

Zelleta side effects

With any medicine, there is potential for side effects although, not everyone will experience them. Some may be more common and minor than others. If you notice any side effects you should discuss them with your doctor. If you notice any serious side effects you may need medical attention.

Some common side effects (1-10%) are:

• Mood changes
• Decreased sexual drive
• Headaches
• Weight changes
• Changes to bleeding such as irregular or no periods

Some uncommon side effects (under 1%) are:

• Hair loss
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses
• Painful periods
• Tiredness
• Vaginal infections

For a full list of side effects, you should read the patient information leaflet.

Before using any contraceptive, you should read the patient information leaflet for all the information relating to the pill.

• Zelleta PIL

How to take Zelleta

Take one pill every day at the same time every day. 

Each pack will contain 28 pills labelled with the days of the week. Follow along with the days of the week labelled on the package until the package is empty. Once the package is empty begin the next pack on the next day. Do not take a break between packs waiting for a period.

You may experience small amounts of bleeding during the use of the medicine. Do not stop taking the medicine when this happens, continue as usual.

Starting the pill

If you start Zelleta on the first day of your period, you will be protected from pregnancy straight away. If you start on any other day of your cycle, additional contraception will be needed for 7 days of tablet taking.

If you are starting the pill after using a different contraceptive method, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for detailed instructions on what to do.

Vomiting and diarrhoea

If you vomit or experience severe diarrhoea within 3-4 hours of taking the pill it may not fully absorb. This can decrease the effectiveness and result in the possibility of becoming pregnant. If you vomit or experience severe diarrhoea within 3-4 hours of taking the pill, follow the directions for missed pills.

Missed pills

If you miss your pill and are less than 12 hours late, take the missed pill as soon as you remember and take your next pill at the usual time. You will still be protected from pregnancy if you do this.

If you miss your pill and are more than 12 hours late, take the missed pill as soon as you remember and take your next pill at the usual time. You may NOT be protected from pregnancy and should use additional contraception such as condoms for 7 days while taking active pills.

For more details on dosing and missed pills read the patient information leaflet.

Do not take Zelleta if you:

• Have had any allergic reactions to any of the listed ingredients
• Have had a blood clot or are at increased risk of a blood clot forming
• Have had or currently have jaundice or liver disease
• Have or are suspected to have cancer sensitive to hormones such as breast cancer
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding

Talk to your doctor before use if you:

• Have had breast cancer
• Have high blood pressure
• Have diabetes

Other Medicines and Zelleta

A number of medicines can influence the amount of medicine that is effective. It is important that you discuss the other medicines you are on before taking this medicine or when you are prescribed other medicines.

Some examples of medicines that can have an effect on the pregnancy protection of Zelleta are:

• Epilepsy medicines
• Tuberculosis medicines
• HIV and HEP-C medicines
• Certain antibiotics
• Certain antifungal medicines
• Some blood pressure and angina medicines

For a full list of all the warnings for this medicine, you can refer to the patient information leaflet.

Zelleta Ingredients

Zelleta 75 microgram tablets contain:

The active ingredient is 75 micrograms of desogestrel. 

The other ingredients are:

Lactose anhydrous, Povidone, Potato starch, all-rac-α-tocopherol, Stearic acid, and Silica colloidal anhydrous.