What is Cerazette (Desogestrel) used for?

Cerazette (Desogestrel) is an oral contraceptive pill. It contains the active ingredient desogestrel. Cerazette is what is called a Progesterone-only pill (POP) or mini-pill, meaning it contains no oestrogen like combined contraceptive pills. This allows it to be used by women who have a hypersensitivity to oestrogens and by breast-feeding women. When taken correctly on a daily basis, it can reduce the chances of a woman becoming pregnant.

How should I use Cerazette (Desogestrel)?

Each pack of Cerazette (Desogestrel) will be clearly labelled on the card with days of the week and arrows. Take one pill each day from the corresponding blister in the pack. Follow the arrows and take a tablet each day until the card is finished, then begin the next card. Cerazette must be taken daily to remain effective. Tablets are to be swallowed whole with a glass of water. You can take Cerazette (Desogestrel) for as long as required. You can stop taking it at any time, however, as soon as you stop taking Cerazette (Desogestrel), you are no longer protected from becoming pregnant.

What are the side effects of Cerazette (Desogestrel)?

Cerazette (Desogestrel) is generally well tolerated, but can cause some side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

• signs of thrombosis (sever pain and/or swelling of the legs, unexplained chest pain, breathlessness, coughing up blood)
• sudden and sever stomach pains or abdominal pains
• jaundice
• lumps in your breast
• unusual vaginal bleeding
• signs you may be pregnant

Other less serious side effects you may notice while taking Cerazette (Desogestrel) can include:

• altered mood
• decreased libido
• headaches
• nausea
• acne
• breast pain
• menstrual changes
• increases in body weight
• vaginal infection
• vomiting
• hair loss
• painful menstruation
• tiredness
• skin conditions

Contact your doctor if you notice any of these and the are bothering you. Your doctor may be able to suggest a different contraceptive to Cerazette (Desogestrel).

Please Note

Cerazette (Desogestrel), like all contraceptives cannot completely guarantee you will not become pregnant. Using multiple forms of contraception can further decrease chances of unwanted pregnancy. Cerazette will not stop you from contracting Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome HIV (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted diseases.

Cerazette is not suitable for every body. Cerazette shoudl not be taken by women with:

• thrombosis (including deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism)
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
• liver disease
• certain types of cancer
• unexplained vaginal bleeding
• confirmed or suspected pregnancy
• allergy to any of the ingredients in Cerazette (desogestrel; silica; colloidal anhydrous; allrac-a-tocopherol; lactose monohydrate; maize starch; povidone; stearic acid; hypromellose; macrogol 400; talc and titanium dioxide

If you suffer from any of the follwoing conditions, talk your doctor prior to taking Cerazette. There may be a better alternative for you, or you may need medical supervision while taking desogestrel.

• breast cancer
• liver cancer
• thrombosis
• epilepsy
• tuberculosis
• hypertension (high blood pressure)