Cerazette
Cerazette is a method of contraception that is 99% effective when taken as prescribed. Cerazette contains the progestogen desogestrel and is ideal for people who can’t take a combined pill that contains oestrogen.
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Prices from £19.00
In stock. Simply fill in a brief questionnaire. One of our doctors will review your order and prescribe a suitable treatment. How to Order
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Cerazette is a progestogen-only pill (POP) or ‘mini pill’. It contains 75 micrograms of desogestrel, a man-made version of the female sex hormone progesterone.
Cerazette does not contain oestrogen so is suitable for people who smoke and are over 35. When it is taken correctly, Cerazette is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Requesting Cerazette from Asda Online Doctor is easy, just fill out a brief health questionnaire for one of our doctors to review. If approved, you can collect your order from your local Asda pharmacy 4 hours after approval or have it delivered to your home address.
About Cerazette
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Cerazette is a branded version of the mini pill or progesterone-only pill (POP). It contains desogestrel, a synthetic version of the female sex hormone, progesterone.
Unlike the combined pill, Cerazette does not contain oestrogen and is a good alternative for women who cannot or choose not to take oestrogen, are over 35, or smoke.
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Cerazette prevents pregnancy by mimicking the actions of progesterone in the body which:
- thickens cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to reach an egg
- thins the lining of the womb, making it harder for a fertilised egg to attach and grow
- can also prevent ovulation by stopping egg cells from ripening
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Each strip of Cerazette contains 28 pills, equal to a 4-week supply.
To take Cerazette:
- Every time you start a new strip of Cerazette, you should take it from the top row.
- If it is Tuesday when you start the new strip, take the pill from the top row marked TUE – do not start with just any tablet.
- Swallow the pill whole with water and at the same time each day.
- Continue taking 1 tablet every day until the pack is empty, following the direction of the arrows printed on the strip.
- When you have finished the strip, start a new Cerazette strip the next day – do not wait for a bleed or have a break between strips.
When taking Cerazette, some people do not have a period – this is normal and you should not be concerned.
What to do if you forget to take Cerazette
If you are less than 12 hours late
Take your missed Cerazette pill as soon as you remember and take the next one at your usual time. You’ll still be protected against pregnancy.
If you’re more than 12 hours late
You may not be protected against pregnancy. Take the missed pill as soon as you remember and continue taking the rest of the strip as normal, even if that means taking 2 pills in the same day, but use condoms for the next 7 days.
If you’ve already had unprotected sex, you might need to consider an emergency contraceptive like the morning after pill.
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When taken correctly, Cerazette is 99% effective at protecting against pregnancy and research shows that ovulation is stopped in the first cycle of use.
However, it is thought that mini pill effectiveness is likely to be closer to 91% when factors like forgetting to take it on time, or sickness and diarrhoea are taken into account.
Starting Cerazette up to the 5th day of your period will give you full protection from becoming pregnant straight away. After this, you will need to use alternative protection, like condoms, for 7 days.
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Most women won’t experience any side effects when taking Cerazette, but that doesn’t mean they can’t occur. Some Cerazette side effects are listed below, but you can find a full list in the patient leaflet that comes with your pill pack.
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 women) include:
- irregular bleeding
- feeling sick (nausea)
- breast pain
- mood changes
- low sex drive
- headaches
- acne
- weight gain
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 women) include:
- vaginal infections
- being sick (vomiting)
- tiredness
- difficulty wearing contact lenses
- hair loss (alopecia)
- painful periods
In many cases, side effects will go away on their own within the first few months after starting Cerazette, but if you are concerned, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for advice.
If you experience any of the following rare side effects, contact your doctors as soon as possible:
- blood clots
- rash or hives
- allergic reaction
- signs of breast cancer, such as a new lump, tenderness, nipple or breast skin changes, or pain in the breast or armpit
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Cerazette isn’t the only mini pill available, alternatives from Asda Online Doctor include:
- Cerelle – contains 75mcg desogestrel, the same as Cerazette
- Noriday – contains norethisterone and must be taken within a 3-hour window each day
- Norgeston – includes norgeston, similar to naturally occurring progesterone
We also offer a wide range of combined oral contraceptive pills, such as:
and many more.
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You can buy Cerazette online from a reputable service like ASDA Online Doctor. It is not available over the counter, so you will need a prescription to obtain it.
To buy Cerazette from Asda Online Doctor, you will need to:
- Complete a short online health questionnaire.
- One of our doctors will review your order and questionnaire answers.
- If they believe Cerazette is suitable for you, your request will be approved.
- You can choose to collect your medication from your local Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after approval or have it delivered to your home address.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Cerazette a combined pill or a mini pill?
Cerazette is a mini pill. It contains the synthetic hormone desogestrel. Unlike the combined pill, it does not contain oestrogen.
Do you still get your period on Cerazette?
It varies. Some people who take Cerazette will not get a period while they take it while others may experience regular, lighter, more frequent or longer periods. Usually, these effects are not a cause for concern.
How soon does Cerazette start working?
It depends which day of your period you start it on. Cerazette will begin working straight away if you take it on the first day of your period. After this, you will need to use alternative contraception like condoms for 7 days.
Is it safe to take Cerazette whilst breastfeeding?
Yes, Cerazette can be used during breastfeeding and does not seem to affect the quality or quantity of breast milk. A small amount of the hormones may pass into the baby’s bloodstream through breast milk, but this won’t affect them.
Does Cerazette make you gain weight?
It’s not clear. One of the common side effects listed in the Cerazette patient information leaflet is weight gain. However, there is no conclusive evidence that the mini pill causes weight gain, with most research studies finding that after 6 to 12 months, average weight gain on the progesterone-only pill was less than 2kg.
Does Cerazette cause spotting?
Spotting has been reported as one of the side effects of Cerazette and usually settles down within the first 3 months of taking the pill. If you experience spotting or irregular bleeding that is heavy or prolonged, speak to a doctor.
Is Cerazette the same as Zeletta and Cerelle?
Yes, Cerazette, Zeletta, and Cerelle are all branded versions of the desogestrel pill. Cerazette and Cerelle are available from Asda Online Doctor but Zeletta is not.
Who cannot take Cerazette?
Cerazette isn’t suitable for everyone. Do not take Cerazette if you:
- are allergic to any of its ingredients, including desogestrel
- have a blood clot in a blood vessel
- have or have had yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- may have cancer
- experience unexplained bleeding
Brenda studied medicine at St Georges University of London and has most recently worked in John Radcliffe Oxford University Hospitals, covering acute and general medicine.
Meet our doctorsLast reviewed: 20 Nov 2024
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Cerazette 75 microgram film-coated tablet, emc [accessed 22 October 2024]
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Desogestrel, NICE [accessed 22 October 2024]
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Effects of progestin-only birth control on weight, Cochrane [accessed 22 October 2024]
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Guidance on the use of Cerazette, Bournemouth, Dorset, and Poole Prescribing Forum [accessed 22 October 2024]
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How to take the progestogen-only pill, NHS [accessed 22 October 2024]
(Reviews are for ZAVA UK)
GMC: 7074021
GMC: 6149061
GMC: 7085115
Contraceptive pills are a reliable way of reducing your risk of getting pregnant from sex. Asda Online Doctor by ZAVA offers most common brands of pill, so you can order your preferred brand by visiting our contraceptive pill service page.
