Cerelle is a type of contraceptive mini pill that's a branded desogestrel pill, similar to alternatives like Cerazette.

It is a progesterone-only pill or POP, also known as the mini pill, that contains the active ingredient desogestrel – a man made version of progesterone.

Cerelle mini pill is 99% effective and may be a more appropriate contraceptive option for those who cannot use combination contraceptive pills (which also contain oestrogen).

Cerelle contains a small amount of desogestrel, a synthetic form of the female sex hormone progesterone. Cerelle works to prevent pregnancy in 3 ways:

• preventing sperm from entering the womb and fertilising an egg cell by thickening the cervical mucus
• thinning the lining of the womb to prevent implantation of a fertilised egg in the womb
• stopping eggs leaving the ovaries (ovulation)

Most mini pills do not stop eggs leaving the ovaries, but Cerelle can, making it distinct from other progesterone-only pills.

How effective is the Cerelle Pill?

Progestogen only or mini pills, including Cerelle, are 99% effective if used correctly.

Always take Cerelle exactly as your doctor has prescribed. You should swallow your tablet whole with water.

Cerelle is supplied in a blister pack containing 28 pills. Each pill is assigned to a day of the week with arrows printed on the front of the strip to help you take your pill correctly. You should take your Cerelle pill at the same time each day. You may find it useful to set an alarm to remind you.

When you start a new Cerelle strip, you should:

• take the tablet that corresponds with the correct day of the week from the top row
• if it is Monday, you should take the tablet from the top row marked “Mon”
• continue taking one tablet each day until the strip is empty – you should follow the direction of the arrows printed on the blister pack
• when the strip is empty, start a new Cerelle strip on the next day without a break and without waiting for a bleed

When to take Cerelle

You should take Cerelle at the same time each day. Pick a time which is most convenient for you to remember. For example, you may take it when you brush your teeth in the morning or just before going to bed. Some people find it useful to set an alarm to remind them to take their pill.

You can start taking Cerelle any time during your menstrual cycle, but you may not be protected from pregnancy straight away.

• If you start Cerelle on the first day of your period, you will be protected against pregnancy right away.
• If you start Cerelle on days 2 to 5 of your cycle, you will need to use additional contraception to prevent pregnancy, such as condoms for the first 7 days.

How often to take Cerelle

You should take one Cerelle pill every day for 28 days with no breaks in between packs. You should start your next 28 day pill pack the day after finishing the previous one without any breaks.

How long do you need to take Cerelle for?

You will need to take Cerelle for as long as you do not want to get pregnant. If you want to try for a baby, you can stop taking Cerelle at any time. You will no longer be protected against pregnancy from the day you stop taking Cerelle.

What should I do if I forget to take the pill?

• If you are less than 12 hours late: Take your pill as soon as you remember. Then take the next pill at your usual time. Your contraceptive protection from Cerelle will be maintained.
• If you are more than 12 hours late: Take a pill as soon as you remember, then take your next one as usual. This may mean taking 2 pills in the same day. You will not be protected from pregnancy and you may need to use a condom as well as continuing to take your pills as usual for the next 7 days.

Note: If you are sick or have diarrhoea within 4 hours of taking your pill the active ingredient may not have been absorbed completely. In this case, you should follow the procedure for missed pills as above.

As with all medications, there is a risk of experiencing side effects while taking Cerelle, although not everyone gets them.

Some common side effects you may experience:

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

How long do Cerelle side effects last?

When you start Cerelle, you may experience some side effects but they should go away within the first 3 months.

What to do if you get Cerelle side effects

In most cases, Cerelle side effects will be mild, but if you are struggling to tolerate side effects when taking Cerelle, speak to your doctor for advice.

You can find a full list of side effects in the patient information leaflet that is supplied with your medication.

Do not use Cerelle if you:

• are or think you might be pregnant
• are allergic to desogestrel or any of the ingredients in Cerelle pills
• have or have had a blood clot in a blood vessel
• have or have ever had yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• experience unexplained vaginal bleeding
• have or might have cancer that grows in the presence of certain hormones

Tell your doctor before taking Cerelle if you:

• have or have ever had breast cancer
• have liver cancer
• are diabetic
• are epileptic
• have tuberculosis
• have high blood pressure
• experience depression or mood changes
• have or have had a skin condition that causes yellow-brown pigmentation patches called chloasma
• are lactose intolerant
• are taking any other prescription, over-the-counter or herbal medications

Cerelle and breastfeeding

Cerelle can be used while breastfeeding. The medications should not affect the quality or production of breast milk but there have been rare reports that it may lower milk production.

Small amounts of desogestrel passes on to the baby when you breastfeed while using Cerelle. However, no effects on the growth and development of babies breastfed for 7 months up to 2.5 years old have been seen.

Can I take the Cerelle Pill to delay my period?

No, Cerelle is a contraceptive pill and is not meant to be used to delay your period. If you want to delay your period, you could request period delay tablets.

Can I use the Cerelle Pill as emergency contraception?

No, Cerelle cannot be used as emergency contraception. You can request the morning after pill from Superdrug Online Doctor.

Can the Cerelle Pill cause weight gain?

Weight gain is listed as a common side effect in the patient information leaflet. However, that does not mean everyone who takes Cerelle will gain weight and weight gain can be temporary as a result of water retention.

Is Cerelle the same as Cerazette?

Yes, Cerelle is the same as Cerazette. The only difference between the two is the branding. Cerelle and Cerazette are two different brands of the same medication manufactured by different companies.

Is daily light bleeding on Cerelle normal?

Light and irregular bleeding whilst taking Cerelle is a common side effect that affects around 1 in 10 women. If you experience heavy or prolonged bleeding, you should speak to your doctor or nurse.