Cerelle

Cerelle is used by adult women to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Cerelle contains desogestrel, which prevents ovulation and thickens cervical mucus, reducing the likelihood of sperm reaching and fertilising an egg.

Cerelle prevents pregnancy due to the effects of its active ingredient, desogestrel, which stops the ovaries from releasing an egg each month and thickens the mucus in the cervix, making it more difficult for sperm to travel into the womb and fertilise an egg. Cerelle also alters the lining of the womb, making it less likely for a fertilised egg to implant and grow.

Swallow one Cerelle pill whole with water once per day, at the same time each day, for 28 consecutive days. Each of the 28 tablets per pack of Cerelle corresponds with a day of the week.

Cerelle pills must be taken daily, with no breaks between pills. Once one pack is finished, the next pack must be started immediately. Cerelle pills can lose their effectiveness if this continuous usage is not maintained.

Cerelle works immediately if the first pill is taken on the first day of the menstrual cycle and one pill is taken per day on consecutive days thereafter.

If an individual starts taking Cerelle on any day of their menstrual cycle other than the first day, it will take seven days for Cerelle to work effectively. During these seven days, it is recommended to use other methods of contraception, such as condoms, to prevent pregnancy.

Cerelle is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, provided the first pill is taken on the first day of the menstrual cycle, and each pill is taken exactly as outlined in the patient information leaflet.

Cerelle may not be as effective at preventing pregnancy if doses are missed, in cases of vomiting or severe diarrhoea (which can prevent proper absorption of the active ingredient in Cerelle by the body), or if the course of Cerelle is commenced on any day of a menstrual cycle other than the first day. In such cases, it is recommended to use other forms of contraception, such as condoms or other barrier contraceptives.

Cerelle should not be taken by individuals who are pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Moreover, Cerelle should not be taken by individuals who are breastfeeding without prior consent from a doctor, as the active ingredient (desogestrel) may decrease milk production and, in rare cases, pass through breast milk.

Cerelle is also unsuitable for individuals experiencing unexplained vaginal bleeding, active liver disease, heart disease, or stroke. Individuals affected by breast cancer, or who are at high risk for thrombosis (blood clots), should not take Cerelle.

Do not take Cerelle without consulting a pharmacist or doctor about how it may uniquely affect you.

If you forget to take Cerelle and are less than 12 hours late, take the tablet as soon as you remember and then take the next one at the usual time. The effectiveness of Cerelle is unlikely to be compromised in these instances.

If you are more than 12 hours late, you may not be completely protected against pregnancy. In these cases, you should take a tablet as soon as you remember and take the next one at the usual time, even if it means taking two tablets on the same day. An additional contraceptive method, such as a condom, should be used for the next 7 days to prevent pregnancy.

Weight gain is listed as a possible side effect of Cerelle in the patient information leaflet. This weight gain may be due to the body adjusting to the pill and fluid retention at different stages of the menstrual cycle. Please note, that just because it is mentioned in the patient information leaflet, it does not mean you will experience it, this will vary between individuals. 

Cerelle is a progestogen-only pill, also referred to as the mini pill. This means it only contains a synthetic version of progestogen. In Cerelle’s case, the active ingredient is desogestrel.

Cerelle and Cerazette are both progestogen-only pills containing the active ingredient desogestrel. Both pills work in the same way to prevent pregnancy and have the same effectiveness. There are no differences between these two pills other than the branding.

There are several alternative oral contraceptive pills you could consider if Cerelle is not suitable:

• Other progestogen-only pills (mini-pills) such as Noriday 350 mcg (which contains norethisterone) and Norgeston (which contains levonorgestrel).
• Combined pills such as Yasmin and Lucette (which contain ethinylestradiol and drospirenone), or Rigevidon, Levest, and Microgynon (which contain levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol).

Cerelle may stop periods in some women as it alters the natural menstrual cycle, primarily by preventing ovulation. For many women, this results in lighter, less frequent, or even absent periods over time. This effect varies between individuals, and some women may experience irregular bleeding or spotting instead.

As mentioned in the patient information leaflet, you can stop taking Cerelle at any time, but you will no longer be protected against pregnancy. It is advisable to speak to a medical professional before discontinuing, as they can provide guidance on how to do so correctly and safely.