Cerelle

Cerelle is a type of contraceptive pill known as the mini pill, and it's taken to stop pregnancy. It contains the active ingredient, desogestrel, an artificial version of the hormone progesterone.

Because it does not contain oestrogen, Cerelle is a suitable alternative to the combined pill for people over 35, who smoke, or who are more likely to get oestrogen-related side effects.

Cerelle contains 75 micrograms (mcg) of desogestrel, which works to stop you getting pregnant by:

1. Stopping an egg from maturing and leaving the ovaries (ovulation).
2. Thinning the lining of the womb to prevent a fertilised egg from implanting and growing.
3. Thickening the cervical mucus to make it difficult for sperm to enter the womb.

Not all mini pills stop ovulation. This makes Cerelle distinct from other progesterone-only pills, meaning that it has an increased contraceptive effectiveness.

How long does it take until Cerelle is effective?

If you take Cerelle on the first 5 days of your period, also known as days 1 to 5 of your menstrual cycle, you will be protected against pregnancy straight away.

If you start it after day 5 of your period, you should also use a barrier contraceptive method, such as condoms, for 2 days until it becomes effective.

How effective is Cerelle?

When taken correctly, mini pills, like Cerelle, are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, if you forget to take the pill or if you frequently vomit or have diarrhoea, this effectiveness rate can drop to around 91%.

Clinical trials comparing the effectiveness of a desogestrel mini pill with a 20mcg levonorgestrel mini pill found that less than 1 person in 100 (0.4) would get pregnant in a year with the desogestrel pill, whereas 1.6 people per 100 would get pregnant with the levonorgestrel pill per year.

Each Cerelle pill should be swallowed whole with water, if needed. It’s a daily pill that must be taken around the same time each day, and no more than 12 hours late.

Each Cerelle strip has 28 pills with the days of the week and arrows printed on the front to help you take it correctly.

Here’s how you should take Cerelle:

1. Start by taking a pill that’s marked with the correct day of the week. So, if it is Monday, take a pill marked ‘Mon’.
2. Continue taking 1 pill per day, following the direction of the arrows printed on the strip, until all the pills have been taken (28 days).
3. When a strip is empty, start a new Cerelle pack the next day without a break and without waiting for a bleed.

When should I take Cerelle?

Cerelle has a 12-hour window, which means it must be taken within 12 hours of the usual time you take it to remain effective.

It can be taken at any time of day, but choose a time that is convenient for you and one that you will remember. For the best results, take your Cerelle pill at the same time each day.

How much should I take?

You should take 1 pill every day.

When to take Cerelle for the first time

If you’re starting Cerelle for the first time and are not using any other hormonal contraception, ideally, you should wait for your next period to start. On any of the first 5 days of your period, start taking Cerelle. If you do this, you will be protected against pregnancy immediately and will not need to take any extra precautions.

However, if you start Cerelle on 6 of your menstrual cycle onwards, you’ll need to use extra barrier methods, like condoms, for the first 2 days of taking Cerelle, or there is a chance you may get pregnant.

What to do if you forget to take Cerelle

If you forget to take Cerelle and it is:

Less than 12 hours late – take the missed pill as soon as you remember, then take the next one as usual. Your contraceptive protection should not be affected.

More than 12 hours late – take a pill as soon as you remember and take the next one at your usual time, even if this means taking 2 tablets in the same day. Continue taking Cerelle as usual, but you will need to use a condom each time you have sex for the next 7 days, as you will not be protected against pregnancy.

The more consecutive Cerelle pills you have missed, the higher the chance of getting pregnant.

What do I do if I take Cerelle twice?

If you take more Cerelle than you should, you may experience some side effects, including:

• feeling or being sick
• vaginal bleeding

Although there have been no reports of serious adverse effects, speak to your doctor for advice if you have taken more Cerelle tablets than you should.

How can I come off Cerelle?

You can stop taking Cerelle whenever you want to. You will no longer be protected against pregnancy from the day you stop taking it.

Like all medications, Cerelle can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.

Common side effects include:

• mood changes
• low sex drive
• depression
• headache
• feeling sick
• acne
• breast pain
• weight gain

Uncommon side effects include:

• vaginal infections
• difficulties wearing contact lenses
• being sick
• hair loss
• painful periods
• ovarian cysts
• tiredness

Rare side effects include:

• rash
• hives
• painful blue-red skin lumps (erythema nodosum)

How long do Cerelle side effects last?

Most Cerelle side effects should get better or go away within the first 3 months of starting the pill as your body gets used to the medication.

What to do if you get Cerelle side effects

Most Cerelle side effects can be easily managed at home by:

• taking painkillers for symptoms such as headaches and sore breasts
• drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration if you are sick, and to relieve headaches
• getting plenty of rest until your symptoms have passed and you are feeling better
• exercising or increasing movement, which can help manage pain and keep your weight within a healthy range
• avoiding spicy foods, instead, choose plain, bland, and easy-to-digest foods if you are feeling or being sick

If you get any of the following serious side effects, you must contact a doctor straight away:

• allergic reactions – swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, causing difficulty swallowing or breathing (if this occurs, call 999)
• ectopic pregnancy – sudden, severe pain in the lower stomach
• breast cancer – dimpling of the skin, nipple changes, or any lumps in the breast that you can see or feel
• blood clots – swelling in 1 leg or foot, sudden breathlessness, coughing up blood, chest pain, sudden vision loss, or weakness down one side of the body
• vaginal bleeding – if you experience heavy or prolonged bleeding, contact your doctor

If you experience any life-threatening side effects, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, weakness down one side of the body, stop taking Cerelle and call 999.

Cerelle may not be suitable for everyone.

Do not take Cerelle if you:

• are allergic to desogestrel or any of the other ingredients listed in the medication
• have a blood clot
• have or have ever had jaundice or severe liver disease, and your liver function has not returned to normal
• have or are suspected of having a type of cancer that grows under the influence of hormones, such as some types of breast cancer
• have any unexplained vaginal bleeding
• are or suspect you might be pregnant

Before taking Cerelle, let your doctor know if you have:

• or have ever had breast cancer
• liver cancer
• or have ever had a blood clot
• diabetes
• epilepsy
• tuberculosis (TB)
• high blood pressure
• or have ever had chloasma
• depression
• mood changes

Cerelle and other medications

Before taking Cerelle, let your doctor know if you are currently taking or plan to take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications. Some medications can influence the effectiveness of Cerelle, including those given to treat:

• epilepsy
• tuberculosis
• HIV
• hepatitis C
• infectious diseases
• high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs
• depression
• some bacterial infections
• fungal infections
• high blood pressure, angina, or certain heart rhythm disorders

Cerelle is a prescription-only contraceptive pill, so you will need a doctor’s approval before you can get it, either from a private service or the NHS.

Can I buy Cerelle online?

Yes, you can buy Cerelle online from Asda Online Doctor by:

1. Completing a short online health assessment for one of our doctors to review.
2. Placing your order request.
3. If approved, your order will be dispatched and sent to your home address in discreet packaging, or you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after a doctor’s approval.
4. If your order is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Getting your contraceptive pill online with us saves time, and you can order Cerelle for the first time, if you want to change your pill, or as a repeat prescription. You can manage everything online from your mobile phone, with no need for face-to-face appointments.

Can I buy Cerelle over the counter?

No, Cerelle is a prescription-only medication, which means you must have a doctor’s approval before obtaining it.

Can I get Cerelle on the NHS?

Yes, Cerelle is available on the NHS. You will need to make an appointment with your doctor or visit a sexual health clinic to find out if it is available and suitable for you to take.

Cerelle is not the only mini pill available. Cerazette is a similar alternative that contains the same active ingredient, at the same dose as Cerelle. It is just an alternative, branded version.

However, if you cannot tolerate desogestrel, the other mini pills we offer are:

• Noriday – contains 350mcg of norethisterone, but may not reliably prevent ovulation
• Norgeston – contains the active ingredient levonorgestrel and is taken once a day for 35 days before starting a new strip

Alternatively, we also offer the combined contraceptive pill which also contains a synthetic oestrogen, such as:

• Microgynon 30
• Rigevidon
• Yasmin
• Gedarel
• Cilique

➤ Read our guide to find out more about choosing the right contraceptive pill for you.