Cerazette

How does it work?

Cerazette tablets are a type of hormonal contraceptive commonly known as the 'mini pill' or progestogen-only pill. They contain the active ingredient desogestrel, which is a synthetic progestogen, similar to the natural progestogens produced by the body.

Desogestrel works as a contraceptive primarily by preventing the release of an egg from the ovary (ovulation). It also acts by increasing the thickness of the natural mucus at the neck of the womb, making it more difficult for sperm to cross from the vagina into the womb. By preventing sperm entering the womb, successful fertilisation of any eggs that are released is less likely.

Desogestrel also acts to change the quality of the womb lining (endometrium). This prevents the successful implantation of any fertilised eggs onto the wall of the womb, thereby preventing pregnancy.

Cerazette tablets should be taken every day on a continuous basis, ie you take the packs back to back without a break, including when you are having a period. (This is unlike the combined pill, which is usually taken every day for three weeks, followed by a pill-free week.)

Ideally, you should start taking this pill on day one of your menstrual cycle (the first day of your period). This will protect you from pregnancy immediately and you won't need to use any additional methods of contraception. If necessary, you can also start taking it up to day five of your cycle without needing to use additional contraception when you start. However, if you have a short menstrual cycle (with your period coming every 23 days or less), starting as late as the fifth day of your cycle may not provide you with immediate contraceptive protection. You should talk to your doctor or nurse about this and whether you need to use an additional contraceptive method for the first two days.

You can also start taking this pill at any other time in your cycle if your doctor is reasonably sure that you are not pregnant. If you start taking this pill at any other time in your cycle, you will need to use additional contraception, eg condoms for the first two days of pill taking.

If you are starting this pill after giving birth, you are protected against pregnancy immediately and do not need to use extra contraception if you start taking it on day 21 after giving birth. (You can start before day 21, but this increases the risk of breakthrough bleeding and is unnecessary.) If you start taking it later than 21 days after giving birth, you should use extra contraception for the first two days.

If you are starting this pill immediately after a miscarriage or abortion at under 24 weeks, you will protected against pregnancy immediately. If you start taking it more than seven days after the miscarriage or abortion, you should use extra contraception for the first two days of pill taking.

Cerazette tablets must be taken continuously, at the same time every day, for them to be effective at preventing pregnancy. If you are more than twelve hours late taking your pill, you will not be protected against pregnancy. If this happens, you should use an extra barrier method of contraception, eg condoms, for the next two days, while continuing with your normal pill taking.

What is it used for?

Contraception.

Warning!

The information and advice that we give in this factsheet is likely to conflict with the information you will find in the manufacturer's leaflet provided with your pills. This is particularly the case with regards starting the pill and what to do if you miss a pill. The reason for the differences is because the manufacturer's leaflets are out of date and unfortunately are not likely to be updated in the near future. The information and advice we give in this factsheet are the same as the UK Family Planning Association's recommendations, which are based on systematic reviews of the currently available evidence. If you are concerned or have any questions, you can ask your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or local family planning centre for advice.

Your pill should be taken at the same time each day. If you forget to take a pill, you should take it as soon as you remember and then take the next one at your normal time. If you are more than twelve hours late taking a pill, you will not be protected against pregnancy and you should use an extra barrier method of contraception (eg condoms) for the next two days, while you continue to take your pills as normal. If you have unprotected sex in the two days after missing a pill, the Family Planning Association (FPA) recommends that you should take emergency contraception (the morning after pill).

If you vomit or have severe diarrhoea within three to four hours of taking a pill, it may not have been fully absorbed into your bloodstream and so may be less effective at preventing pregnancy. You should use extra contraception, eg condoms, during the stomach upset and for two days after you recover, while continuing to take your pills as normal.

This contraceptive pill will not protect you against sexually transmitted infections, so you may still need to use condoms as well.

The progesterone only pill can often cause menstrual irregularities, such as irregular bleeding or missed periods. These can be annoying, but tend to settle down after a while. If you have continued problems with irregular bleeding you should talk to your doctor. If you are worried that you could be pregnant because you have not had a period, you should ask your doctor or nurse for advice or do a pregnancy test. However, if you took all your pills correctly and you didn't have an upset stomach or take any other medicines which might affect the POP (see end of factsheet), then it is unlikely you are pregnant.

Women who do get pregnant while using a progesterone-only contraceptive may have a greater risk of the pregnancy occuring outside the womb (ectopic pregnancy) than women using other forms of contraception. (However, the risk is still lower than in women who don't use any contraception at all.) You should consult your doctor if you experience any sudden or abnormal abdominal pain while you are taking this pill, particularly if you also have no bleeding, or shorter or lighter than normal bleeding.

It is important to be aware that women using hormonal contraceptives appear to have a small increase in the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, compared with women who do not use these contraceptives. However, this risk must be weighed against the benefits of using the contraceptive, which can be discussed with your doctor.

Stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor immediately if you get any of the following symtpoms while taking this medicine: migraine or severe headaches, disturbance in vision, stabbing pains in the legs, pain on breathing or coughing, significant rise in blood pressure, itching of the whole body, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice), severe abdominal complaints or if you get pregnant.

Use with caution in

Heart disease.

Cancers dependent on sex hormones for growth.

Women who have previously had an ectopic pregnancy.

History of ovarian cysts.

History of jaundice during a previous pregnancy.

Not to be used in

Known or suspected pregnancy.

Abnormal vaginal bleeding of unknown cause.

Severe disease of the arteries, eg that has caused a stroke or heart attack.

Current blood clot in a vein of the leg (deep vein thrombosis) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

Breast cancer or history of this (though this pill may be considered for women who have had no evidence of the disease for five years).

Active liver disease.

Liver cancer.

History of severe liver disease if liver function has not returned to normal.

Rare hereditary blood disorders called porphyrias.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used during pregnancy. If you do get pregnant while using this medicine you should stop using it immediately and consult your doctor.

Small amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk, however there are no known harmful effects when it is used by breastfeeding mothers. It does not affect the production of breast milk.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Changes in menstrual bleeding, eg irregular bleeding or sometimes stopping of bleeding.

Nausea.

Acne.

Mood changes.

Decreased sex drive.

Breast tenderness.

Headache.

Weight gain.

Vomiting.

Fatigue.

Hair loss.

Cysts on the ovaries.

Inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis).

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Go To Next Page>>
The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved