Cerazette (Desogestrel)

Cerazette (Desogestrel) Medication Information

Uses

Cerazette is used to prevent pregnancy.

Dosage

Oral tablets are available in 75 mcg strength.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of Cerazette include:

• Depressed mood
• Headache
• Nausea
• Acne
• Breast pain
• Irregular menstruation
• Increased body weight

Speak with your doctor or pharmacist for a full list of side effects that applies to you.

Precautions

Breast cancer: It is important to regularly check your breasts and you should contact your doctor as soon as possible if you feel any lump in your breasts.

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot, which may block a blood vessel. A thrombosis sometimes occurs in the deep veins of the legs (deep venous thrombosis). If this clot breaks away from the veins where it is formed, it may reach and block the arteries of the lungs, causing a so-called “pulmonary embolism”. A pulmonary embolism can cause chest pain, breathlessness, collapse or even death.

Some women using hormonal contraceptives including Cerazette have reported depression or depressed mood. Depression can be serious and may sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes and depressive symptoms contact your doctor for further medical advice as soon as possible.

Interactions

Some of the common drug interactions with Cerazette:

• Phenytoin
• Rifampin
• Clarithromycin
• Ketoconazole
• Fluconazole
• Diltiazem 

Speak with your doctor or pharmacist for more information. 

Storage

Store at controlled room temperature (77ºF). 

Pharmacist Tips

• Cerazette is a progestogen-only-pill (POP).
• In contrast to the combined pill, Cerazette can be used by women who do not tolerate oestrogens and by women who are breast feeding.
• This medication is not approved in the US.
• The progestogen-only pill, POP, which doesn’t contain an oestrogen.
• Cerazette is different from most POPs in having a dose that in most cases prevents the egg cell from ripening. As a result, Cerazette is a highly effective contraceptive.

Cerazette FAQs

Can I take this with food?

Can be taken with or without food.

Can I take this if I am pregnant?

Do not use Cerazette if you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant.

Can I take this while breastfeeding?

Cerazette may be used while you are breast-feeding. Cerazette does not appear to influence the production or the quality of breast milk. However, there have been infrequent reports of a decrease in breast milk production while using Cerazette. A small amount of the active substance of Cerazette passes over into the milk.

If you are breast feeding and want to use Cerazette, please contact your doctor.

What if I am lactose intolerant?

Cerazette contains lactose (milk sugar). Please contact your doctor before taking Cerazette if you have been told by your doctor that you are intolerant to some sugars.

Does Cerazette contain estrogen?

Cerazette is a progestogen-only-pill (POP). The progestogen-only pill, POP, doesn’t contain an estrogen.

Does this need to be taken the same time every day?

Take your tablet each day at about the same time. Continue to take one tablet every day until the pack is empty, always following the direction indicated by the arrows.

Reference:

Cerazette {prescribing information}. Hertfordshire, UK. Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited; 2020.

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1698/pil#gref