Cerazette
"Cerazette is an effective, branded progestogen-only pill (POP). Also known as a mini pill, it’s a good alternative to combined contraceptive pills if you're a woman over 35 or a smoker."
What is Cerazette?
Cerazette is an effective branded contraceptive mini pill or progestogen-only pill (POP). If you’re over 35 or a smoker, the Cerazette POP is a good alternative to the combined contraceptive pill.
How does it work?
Despite being progestogen-only, the Cerazette contraceptive pill works in two ways to prevent pregnancy. It thickens the mucus in the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the womb to fertilise an egg. It also stops ovulation by preventing egg cells from maturing.
How to use Cerazette
To prevent pregnancy, take one pill at the same time each day with no breaks. Take packs of Cerazette back-to-back without a break, even during your period. Many women don’t get periods at all while on the Cerazette birth control pill, so don’t worry if this happens to you.
Effectiveness
Start using the Cerazette mini pill on days 1-5 of your period, and you’ll be immediately protected against pregnancy.
Used correctly, the Cerazette progesterone only pill can be up to 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
However, if you’re vomiting or have severe diarrhoea while taking this pill, you may not be protected against pregnancy. If you can have sex, you should use condoms along with continuing to take the pill as usual. If the vomiting continues for more than 24 hours, follow the same steps as you would for a missed pill.
It’s important to only start taking Cerazette if you’re certain you aren’t pregnant.
Side effects of Cerazette
While most women can take Cerazette tablets without getting any side effects, around 1 in 10 will experience irregular bleeding. It usually settles down within 3 months. If you experience prolonged or heavier than usual bleeding after taking the Cerazette pill message your clinician in your Patient Record or speak to your doctor.
Other side effects can include headaches, acne, feeling sick (nausea), mood swings, and sore breasts.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the Cerazette patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
Product features
99% effective when it’s taken correctly
A daily mini pill that contains progestogen only
No break needed
What is Cerazette?
Cerazette is an effective branded contraceptive mini pill or progestogen-only pill (POP). If you’re over 35 or a smoker, the Cerazette POP is a good alternative to the combined contraceptive pill.
How does it work?
Despite being progestogen-only, the Cerazette contraceptive pill works in two ways to prevent pregnancy. It thickens the mucus in the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the womb to fertilise an egg. It also stops ovulation by preventing egg cells from maturing.
How to use Cerazette
To prevent pregnancy, take one pill at the same time each day with no breaks. Take packs of Cerazette back-to-back without a break, even during your period. Many women don’t get periods at all while on the Cerazette birth control pill, so don’t worry if this happens to you.
Effectiveness
Start using the Cerazette mini pill on days 1-5 of your period, and you’ll be immediately protected against pregnancy.
Used correctly, the Cerazette progesterone only pill can be up to 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
However, if you’re vomiting or have severe diarrhoea while taking this pill, you may not be protected against pregnancy. If you can have sex, you should use condoms along with continuing to take the pill as usual. If the vomiting continues for more than 24 hours, follow the same steps as you would for a missed pill.
It’s important to only start taking Cerazette if you’re certain you aren’t pregnant.
Side effects of Cerazette
While most women can take Cerazette tablets without getting any side effects, around 1 in 10 will experience irregular bleeding. It usually settles down within 3 months. If you experience prolonged or heavier than usual bleeding after taking the Cerazette pill message your clinician in your Patient Record or speak to your doctor.
Other side effects can include headaches, acne, feeling sick (nausea), mood swings, and sore breasts.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the Cerazette patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
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Cerazette FAQs
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How long does Cerazette take to work?
If you start taking Cerazette on days 1-5 of your period, this should give you immediate protection against pregnancy. At any other time in the cycle, you will need to use condoms to provide extra contraception for 2 days.
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Does Cerazette stop periods?
Many women don’t get their period at all while taking Cerazette. If you do get periods they can be regular, lighter, more frequent or longer than usual.
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Will Cerazette make me gain weight?
There’s no evidence that taking a progestogen-only pill like Cerazette will cause you to put on weight. Weight changes during your cycle could be due to fluid retention, or other reasons that aren’t related to the pill.
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Is Cerazette safe to use while breastfeeding?
It’s safe to take Cerazette while breastfeeding. While small amounts of progestogen may pass into the baby’s bloodstream through your breast milk, it won't affect them. It also won’t impact the way breast milk is produced.
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What if I forget my Cerazette pill?
Unlike most mini pills, if you forget to take Cerazette, there’s a window of 12 hours in which you can take it and remain protected against pregnancy. You should take the missed pill as soon as you remember. Then take your next pill at the normal time, even if it means taking two pills in one day.
If you don’t take a missed pill within 12 hours of the usual time, you lose your protection against pregnancy. If this happens, continue to take your pills as usual but use condoms for the next two days. You may need emergency contraception if you have unprotected sex during those two days. We can prescribe this online for you too.
For full details of correct use and what to do if you miss a pill, please see the Cerazette patient information leaflet. If you need more advice you can contact us in your Patient Record.
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Where can I buy Cerazette?
Cerazette is a prescription only medication, but you can buy it online if prescribed by a doctor.
You complete a simple, confidential consultation, which should take just a few minutes, to make sure the pill is right for you. Once approved, you can pay for your prescription online for discreet home delivery or to pick up from any Well Pharmacy.
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Cerazette warnings
Before you start taking Cerazette, tell your clinician during your consultation if:
- You’ve ever had breast cancer.
- You have liver cancer (an additional risk factor for a possible side effect of Cerazette).
- You’ve ever had a thrombosis.
- You have diabetes.
- You have epilepsy.
- You have tuberculosis.
- You have high blood pressure.
- You have or have had chloasma (yellowish-brown patches on your skin, particularly your face, that are sensitive to the sun or UV light).
Our clinicians could still prescribe Cerazette but will let you know if there is an alternative.
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Cerazette drug interactions
You should be able to take Cerazette alongside other medications. So that our clinicians can prescribe it safely, you’ll need to let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you’re taking regularly.
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Alternative Cerazette contraception
A mini pill like Cerazette is just one of a wide range of contraceptives we can advise you on and prescribe. These include NuvaRing, Evra Patch, the contraceptive injection, combined pills and progestogen only pills.
See our full contraception range here.
As well as being an effective form of contraception, condoms help protect you against STIs.
You can also get long-acting contraceptives through your GP or family planning clinic. These include the coil, implants, and contraceptive injections.
