Always take Cerazette exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the tablet whole with water.

Cerazette comes in strips of 28 tablets, each corresponding to a specific day of the week. To help you follow the correct dosage, arrows are printed on the strip.

Here’s how to take Cerazette:

• Start with the tablet that matches the day of the week (e.g., if it’s Monday, take the tablet marked ‘Mon’).
• Take one tablet every day at the same time, continuing until the pack is empty, following the arrows on the strip.
• When the current strip is finished, start a new strip the next day without a break.

When to take Cerazette:

Cerazette should be taken at the same time every day. Choose a convenient time that you can easily remember, and consider setting an alarm or linking it to another daily activity, like brushing your teeth.

How often to take Cerazette:

Take one pill every day for 28 days without any breaks. Start the next pack the day after finishing the current strip, without waiting for a bleed.

How long to take Cerazette:

You should take Cerazette continuously as long as you want to prevent pregnancy. When you're ready to try for a baby, you can stop taking Cerazette at any time. Once you stop, you will no longer be protected from pregnancy.

What to do if you forget to take a pill:

• If you’re less than 12 hours late:

  • Take the missed pill as soon as you remember.
  • Continue taking the next pill at the usual time.
  • You’ll still be protected against pregnancy.

• If you’re more than 12 hours late:

  • You may not be fully protected from pregnancy.
  • Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, and continue taking the next pill at the usual time (even if it means taking two pills in one day).
  • Use additional contraception (like condoms) for the next 7 days.
  • If you’ve had sex in the last 12 hours, you may be at risk of pregnancy and might need emergency contraception.

Cerazette is not suitable for everyone. Do not take Cerazette if you:

• Are allergic to desogestrel or any other ingredients in the pill
• Have a blood clot in a blood vessel
• Have or have had jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• May have cancer
• Experience unexplained bleeding

Before taking Cerazette, inform your doctor if you have:

• Breast or liver cancer
• Diabetes
• Thrombosis (blood clots)
• Epilepsy
• High blood pressure
• Tuberculosis
• Chloasma (skin discoloration)

Also, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications, including those used to treat:

• Epilepsy
• Tuberculosis
• HIV
• Hepatitis C
• High blood pressure
• Depression
• Bacterial infections

Pregnancy and breastfeeding:

• Cerazette must not be taken during pregnancy.
• It can be used while breastfeeding, as a small amount of the active ingredient passes into breast milk, but it does not appear to affect milk production or quality.

Is Cerazette the same as Cerelle? Yes, Cerazette and Cerelle are the same in terms of their active ingredient, dose, and how they work to prevent pregnancy. The only difference is the branding, and they are made by different companies.

Why am I bleeding while taking Cerazette? Vaginal bleeding is a common side effect of Cerazette. It can range from light spotting to heavier bleeding that may resemble a period. In most cases, this is not a cause for concern and does not indicate that the pill is not working. However, if the bleeding is heavy or lasts for a prolonged period, you should consult your doctor.

Will I gain weight taking Cerazette? Weight gain is a potential side effect of Cerazette, but not everyone will experience it, and if it occurs, it may be temporary and related to water retention.

How long after stopping Cerazette will I have a period? Most women will have a period within 2 to 4 weeks of stopping Cerazette, though it can take up to 3 months for periods to return to normal. If you haven’t had a period a month after stopping, consider taking a pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy.

Can I take Cerazette to delay my period? No, Cerazette is not designed to delay periods. If you need to delay your period, you may need to request period delay tablets.

Can I use Cerazette as emergency contraception? No, Cerazette is a regular contraceptive pill and does not work as emergency contraception. If you've had unprotected sex or your contraceptive method failed, you will need emergency contraception, such as the morning-after pill or an intrauterine device (IUD).

• Cerazette 75 microgram film-coated tablet, EMC [accessed 06 August 2024]
• Guidance on the use of Cerazette, Bournemouth, Dorset, and Poole Prescribing Forum [accessed 06 August 2024]
• Methods of contraception, NHS [accessed 06 August 2024]
• Progesterone-only pill (mini pill), NHS Inform [accessed 05 August 2024]
• We're CQC, the ind