Cerelle

Cerelle should be taken exactly as directed by your pharmacist, prescriber or the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

Take one tablet every day at about the same time. Each strip contains 28 tablets. When one strip is finished, start the next strip the following day without a break, even if you are bleeding.

Swallow the tablet whole with water. You may have irregular bleeding, spotting, heavier bleeding or no bleeding while using Cerelle. This can happen with progestogen-only contraception. If bleeding is heavy, persistent, unusual for you or concerning, seek clinical advice.

If you are less than 12 hours late taking Cerelle, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember and take the next tablet at your usual time. Contraceptive protection is usually maintained.

If you are more than 12 hours late, contraceptive protection may be reduced. Take a tablet as soon as you remember, continue the rest as normal, and use additional contraception such as condoms for the next 7 days. If you have had sex after a missed pill, or missed tablets during the first week of use, emergency contraception may need to be considered. Speak to a pharmacist or clinician promptly.

If you vomit within 3 to 4 hours of taking Cerelle, or have severe diarrhoea, the tablet may not have been absorbed properly. Follow missed pill advice and seek guidance if you are unsure.

Do not take extra tablets to improve contraceptive cover. Taking more than directed can increase the chance of side effects and will not improve how well the pill works.

Cerelle contains desogestrel 75 micrograms as the active ingredient.

Other ingredients include lactose monohydrate, potato starch, povidone K-30, colloidal anhydrous silica, stearic acid, all-rac-alpha-tocopherol, polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, macrogol 3000 and talc.

Cerelle contains lactose. If you have been told you have an intolerance to some sugars, seek advice before using this medicine.

Some people experience side effects while taking Cerelle. Common side effects can include irregular bleeding, mood changes, reduced libido, depression, headache, nausea, acne, breast pain and weight change. Other possible side effects include vomiting, tiredness, vaginal infection, difficulty wearing contact lenses, hair loss, painful periods, ovarian cysts, rash, hives or skin reactions.

Seek medical advice promptly if you develop severe lower abdominal pain, heavy or unusual vaginal bleeding, signs of pregnancy, a breast lump, symptoms of a blood clot, yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe mood changes, or signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, breathing difficulty or severe rash.

Cerelle is not suitable for everyone. It should not be used if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, have unexplained vaginal bleeding, have active thrombosis, have severe liver disease where liver function has not returned to normal, have or are suspected of having certain hormone-sensitive cancers, or are allergic to desogestrel or any of the ingredients.

Extra clinical review may be needed if you have a history of breast cancer, liver cancer, thrombosis, diabetes, epilepsy, tuberculosis, high blood pressure, chloasma, depression or mood changes.

Cerelle can interact with some medicines, including certain epilepsy medicines, tuberculosis medicines, HIV medicines, hepatitis C medicines, some antifungals, some antibiotics and herbal products such as St John’s wort. Always list all current prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, supplements and herbal products during your consultation.

Suitability depends on your medical history, bleeding pattern, current medicines, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, allergy history and clinical assessment. Prescription medicine is supplied only where clinically appropriate.

Desogestrel is not right for everyone, and there are things you should know before you start. Here is all the official information. If anything is not clear, let our clinician know and they can talk it through with you.

Desogestrel 75 micrograms Tablets PIL