Cerelle

Cerelle is a progesterone-only oral contraceptive, also known as a mini pill. Cerelle contains Desogestrel 75mcg which is a man-made hormone that is nearly identical to progesterone, a natural hormone in your body. Cerelle is only available as a prescription-only medicine. Cerelle and Cerazette contain the same active ingredient. They work in the same way and are equally effective. Cerelle is the generic form of Cerazette and, therefore, cheaper.

Cerelle does not contain oestrogen. Women who are i.over 35 and smoke, given up smoking under a year ago who are over 35 ii. have high blood pressure or a history of blood clots, iii. Have a history of migraines with auras iv. Are currently breastfeeding can take Cerelle.

Progesterone stops you from getting pregnant in three ways.

1. Preventing an egg from being released from the ovaries.
2. Making the fluid in your cervix thicker, minimising the penetration of sperm.
3. Preventing the lining of your womb from thickening enough to allow an egg to grow in it.

Progesterone-only contraceptives provide one of the most reliable methods of contraception if used correctly, 99% effective. Other benefits include making your periods regular, lighter, and less painful, and it may help with pre-menstrual symptoms such as flushing and mood changes.

Can you get Cerelle over the counter?

No, you cannot get Cerelle over the counter. Cerelle is a prescription-only medication that can be purchased from The Family Chemist privately or by visiting your doctor.

Each strip of Cerelle contains 28 tablets – 4 weeks supply. Take your tablet each day at about the same time. Swallow the tablet whole with water. Arrows are printed on the front of the strip, between the tablets. The days of the week are printed on the back of the strip. Each day corresponds with one tablet. Every time you start a new strip of Cerelle, take a tablet from the top row. Don’t start with just any tablet. For example, if you start on a Wednesday, you must take the tablet from the top row marked (on the back) with WED. Continue to take one tablet daily until the pack is empty, always following the direction indicated by the arrows. Looking at the back of your pack, you can easily check if you have already taken your tablet on a particular day.

You may have vaginal bleeding while using Cerelle, but you must continue taking your tablets as usual. When a strip is empty, you must start with a new strip of Cerelle on the next day – without interruption and without waiting for a bleed.

Starting your first pack of Cerelle

If you are not using hormonal contraception at present (or in the past month)
Wait for your period to begin. On the first day of your period, take the first Cerelle tablet. Additional contraceptive precautions are not necessary. If you take your first tablet on days 2-5 of your period, use an additional barrier method of contraception for the first seven days of tablet-taking.

When you change from a combined pill (COC), vaginal ring, or transdermal patch, If you don’t have a tablet-, ring- or patch-free break:

Start taking Cerelle the day after you take the last tablet from the present Pill pack or on the day of removing your vaginal ring or patch (this means no tablet-, ring- or patch-free break). If your present Pill pack also contains inactive (placebo) tablets, you can start Cerelle the day after taking the last active tablet (if you are unsure which this is, ask your doctor or pharmacist). If you follow these instructions, additional contraceptive precautions are not necessary.

If you have a tablet-, ring- or patch-free break: You can also start on the day following the tablet-, ring- or patch-free break, or when you have taken all the inactive (placebo) tablets of your present contraceptive. If you follow these instructions, use an additional barrier method of contraception for the first seven days of tablet-taking.

When changing from another progestogen-only pill:

Switch on any day from another mini-pill. Additional contraceptive precautions are not necessary.

When changing from an injection or implant or a hormonal IUS:
Start using Cerelle when your next injection is due or when your implant or IUS is removed. Additional contraceptive precautions are not necessary.

After you have a baby:
You can start Cerelle between 21 to 28 days after the birth of your baby. If you start later, use an additional barrier method of contraception until you have completed the first seven days of tablet-taking. However, if you have already had sex, check that you are not pregnant before starting Cerazette.

If you are less than 12 hours late:
Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember and take the next one at the usual time. Cerelle will still protect you from pregnancy.

If you are more than 12 hours late:  If you are more than 12 hours late in taking any tablet, you may not be completely protected against pregnancy. The more consecutive tablets you have missed, the higher the risk that you might fall pregnant. Take a tablet as soon as you remember and take the next one at the usual time. This may mean taking two in one day. This is not harmful. (If you have forgotten more than one tablet, you don’t need to take the earlier missed ones). Continue to take your tablets as usual, but you must also use an extra method, such as a condom, for the next seven days. If you take your tablet more than 12 hours late and have had sex, it is safe to use emergency contraception.

If you missed one or more tablets in the very first week of starting the tablet and had intercourse in the week before missing the tablets, you may fall pregnant. Ask your doctor for advice.

Many patients take Cerelle free of side effects however, like all medicines, some people may experience some side effects. The severity can vary from person to person.

Side effects such as bleeding between periods or feeling nausea are more common in the first three months. However, they should soon disappear. If the side effects become intolerable, worsen, or continue beyond three months, you should contact your doctor or The Family Chemist clinician.

A rare side effect (1 in 10 in every 10,000 users) can occur in women taking Cerelle: a harmful blood clot in a vein or artery. Seek urgent medical attention if you notice any swelling of one leg, pain or tenderness, increased warmth in the affected leg, change in colour of the skin on the leg, sudden unexplained breathlessness or rapid breathing, sharp chest pain, severe lightheadedness, rapid or irregular heartbeat or severe pain in your stomach. The patient information leaflet contains more information regarding recognising a blood clot.

You are more at risk of having a blood clot:

▪ as you get older
▪ if you smoke
▪ if you are seriously overweight

▪ if you have some diseases of the heart and blood vessels
▪ if you have diabetes
▪ if you suffer from migraines
▪ if you’re off your feet for a long time because of major surgery, injury or illness

▪ if you or any of your close family have had blood clots

▪ if you have varicose veins

Common side effects of Cerelle include:

• bleeding and spotting between your periods
• headaches
• acne or oily skin: progesterone has been found to increase sebum product. Large amounts of sebum can block pores and cause an outbreak of spots.
• dizziness
• feeling sick or being sick
• putting on weight.
• Mood altered, depressed mood, decreased sexual drive (libido)
• Breast pain.

The patient information leaflet contains a full list of side effects.

A few women have irregular periods, a little unexpected bleeding or spotting or no periods while taking Cerelle, especially during the first few months. Normally, these changes are nothing to worry about and require no treatment. Keep taking Cerelle as usual. The problem should disappear after the first few strips.

You may also have unexpected bleeding if you are not taking your pills regularly, so try to take your pill at the same time every day. Also, unexpected bleeding can sometimes be caused by other medicines.

Make an appointment to see your doctor if:

You get breakthrough bleeding or spotting that:

• carries on for more than the first few months
• starts after you’ve been taking Cerelle for a while
• carries on even after you’ve stopped taking Cerelle.

You have had no period for six weeks.

Most patients can take Cerelle. However, there may be occasions where an alternative pill may suit you better. You must fill in the consultation form accurately so the clinician can ensure your treatment is safe.

Do not use Cerelle:

• If you are pregnant or might be pregnant
• If you have ever had a severe liver disease and have been told by your doctor that your liver function test results are not yet back to normal
• If you have ever had liver tumours
• If you have cancer affected by sex hormones –such as current or history of breast cancer.
• If you have vaginal bleeding that your doctor has not explained
• If you have ever had a problem with your blood circulation. This includes a blood clot (thrombosis) in the legs (deep vein thrombosis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), heart (heart attack), brain (stroke) or any other parts of the body
• If you have severe diabetes with changes to the blood vessels
• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the ingredients in Cerelle.

Before you start Cerelle tell your clinician if:

• you have ever had breast cancer.
• you have liver cancer, since a possible effect of Cerelle cannot be excluded.
• you have ever had a thrombosis.
• you have diabetes.
• you suffer from
• you have
• you have high blood pressure.
• you have or have had chloasma (yellowish-brown pigmentation patches on the skin particularly of the face); if so, avoid too much exposure to the sun or ultraviolet radiation.

When Cerelle is used in the presence of any of these conditions, you may need to be kept under close observation. Your doctor can explain what to do.

Progesterone only pill may be more suitable for you if you smoke and are 35 or older, stopped smoking less than a year ago and are 35 or older, are overweight or breastfeeding.