What is Cerazette (Desogestrel) used for?

Cerazette is used to prevent pregnancy. It is an oral contraceptive tablet that can significantly reduce the chances of becoming pregnant. Cerazette contains only progestagen, so it may be used by women who are sensitive to oestrogens and by women who are breast-feeding.

How should I use Cerazette (Desogestrel)?

Cerazette is once-daily tablet that is taken orally. Each pack of Cerazette will contain 28 tablets. Blister strips are and labelled with arrows and days of the week. Each tablet corresponding to a day of the week should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Cerazette should be taken for as long as you wish to prevent pregnancy. It may be stopped at any time if you do wish to try to become pregnant. Once you stop taking Cerazette, you are no longer protected from pregnancy.

What are the side effects of Cerazette (Desogestrel)?

Like most medicines, Cerazette can cause unwanted side effects. Some side effects will be temporary and mild. Others can be more serious and require urgent medical attention.

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 possible side effects you may notice while taking Cerazette 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

Please Note

Cerazette is a contraceptive. While it can reduce the cances of pregnancy, it is not a 100% preventative. Cerazette will have no preventative effect against Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome HIV (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted diseases.

Cerazette should not be taken if any of the following situations apply to you:

• 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

You may be able to take Cerazette, but should do so under medical observation if you have experienced:

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