Cerazette - 3 month course

Order Cerazette Contraceptive Pill Online

You can request to order the Cerazette contraceptive pill online from our UK registered online doctor and pharmacy service. If you are already on Cerazette, our doctor can issue a new 3-month prescription to our pharmacy, if you meet the criteria. Simply complete an online assessment form, and checkout. Our doctors will then review your order to make sure it's safe to issue you with a repeat supply of this medication. 

What is Cerazette?

Cerazette is an oral contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. It contains the active ingredient Desogestrel 75 micrograms. This is a synthetic version of the natural progestogen sex hormones produced in the body. 

Cerazette is a progestogen-only pill (or mini-pill). This works in a different way to combined pills.

How does Cerazette work?

It contains the active ingredient desogestrel 75 micrograms. Desogestrel is a synthetic progestogen, similar to the natural progestogen hormones produced by the body.

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. This makes it more difficult for sperm to cross from the vagina into the womb. It also thins the womb lining (endometrium), making it more difficult for any successfully fertilised eggs to implant there.

Cerazette mini pill is the same as other mini-pills that contain desogestrel 75 micrograms, such as Cerelle and Zelleta.

What happens if you forget your pill?

If you have forgotten to take the pill at your usual time, you should take it as soon as you remember. A Cerazette missed pill may mean taking two pills together. 

If it was less than 12 hours since the missed dose, you will still be protected against pregnancy, and no additional contraceptive measures are required.

If the missed dose was more than 12 hours ago, you will not be protected against pregnancy for 48 hours after making up the doses. If you have sex in this time, you should use a different form of contraception, such as condoms.

Unlike the combined contraceptive pill, protection is gained more quickly from Cerazette. However, there is less margin for error in forgetting to take your pill. 

How effective is Cerazette?

Cerazette and other progestogen-only pills, if taken correctly, are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, if you have severe diarrhoea or vomiting it may not be effective. If this happens, you should follow the advice for a missed pill in the patient information leaflet.

How can I switch from a different pill to Cerazette?

If you are switching from another progestogen-only pill, you can switch on any day and not need to use additional contraception. For women switching from the combined pill to Cerazette, the advice is different. See section 3 of the patient information leaflet for detailed instructions on how to switch.

Cerazette and breastfeeding

Small amounts of the drug may pass over into breast milk. If you want to breastfeed while taking Cerazette, speak to your doctor first.

• How do you take Cerazette?

  It should be taken every day at the same time of day. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water. When you finish a strip of tablets, start a new strip the next day without taking a break.

• Can the Cerazette pill make you gain weight?

  It 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. For others, it causes appetite reduction and weight loss. However, it is common to gain weight while taking the contraceptive pill.

• What is Cerazette?

  It is a type of oral contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. It is known as a ‘progestogen-only pill’ because it does not contain oestrogen. Therefore, it is suitable for women who require an oral contraceptive but are unable to take oestrogen. The mini pill Cerazette works by making it difficult for sperm to enter the womb and is a highly effective contraceptive.

• 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?

  You are protected from pregnancy while using the pill. However, condoms are still important to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The contraceptive pill does not protect you from infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. See the NHS website for more information on sexual health.

• I am experiencing bleeding when taking Cerazette, what do I do?

  It is possible that you may experience irregular vaginal bleeding when taking it. 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, please notify your GP.

• How long after taking Cerazette am I protected?

  If you start it on days 1-2 of your period, then you will be protected straight away. If you start to take it after those days of your period, then you will need to use barrier protection for 7 days until you are protected by Cerazette.

• Can I buy Cerazette online?

  Cerazette, in the UK, is a prescription-only medicine and you cannot buy it from a pharmacy. However, you can request to order it from an online doctor and pharmacy service, such as Simple Online Pharmacy. As part of your order, we ask that you complete an online medical consultation for our UK registered GPs to assess for safety and suitability. 

  Content Reviewed: 01/02/21

Cerazette Side Effects

What are the side effects of Cerazette?

Most women find they do not experience side effects when using it. However, some women may notice irregular bleeding. This is not a sign that Cerazette is not working. If the bleeding is heavy or prolonged, speak to your GP or pharmacist for advice. 

Other common side effects of Cerazette include headaches, breast pain, nausea, and acne.

Women who take Cerazette may be at a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. You should check your breasts regularly for any changes or lumps. Speak to your family planning nurse or GP for further information, or read the patient information leaflet.

The risk of blood clots in women who take the progestogen-only pill is thought to be lower than the risk of blood clots in women who take pills that contain oestrogens.

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.

Cerazette and Other Medicines

Some medicines can affect Cerazette and may make it less effective. Examples include certain anti-epileptic medicines and antibiotics. 

You can read the patient information leaflet for more information or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.