About CERAZETTE®
CERAZETTE is an oestrogen-free contraceptive pill to primarily inhibit ovulation.1,2
In contrast traditional progestogen-only pills (POPs) primarily work by thickening the cervical mucus and not inhibition of ovulation.2 In addition, they have a shorter ‘missed pill window’ of 3 hours,3 compared with CERAZETTE.1
CERAZETTE therefore offers similar reliability and convenience as combined oral contraceptives (COCs) but greater flexibility of dosing than traditional POPs.1,3,6
When can women start using CERAZETTE?
Women can switch from both short-acting and long-acting methods of contraception to CERAZETTE.1 See the table for guidance on when to advise women to start taking CERAZETTE. Please read the Summary of Product Characteristics for more information.1
Changing from | Start taking CERAZETTE… |
| No current hormonal contraception | …on the first day of menstrual bleeding* |
| Other oral contraceptive (COC) pill | …on the day after the last active COC tablet† |
| Other progestogen-only pill | …on any day without taking a break |
| Medroxyprogesterone acetate and norethisterone enanthate | …when the next injection would be due |
| Implant or intrauterine system (IUS) | …on day of implant or IUS removal |
*Or days 2-5 with additional barrier method for 1 week.
†At latest on the day after the usual pill-free interval with additional barrier method for 1 week.1
Please read the CERAZETTE Summary of Product Characteristics for more information.
Mode of action and efficacy
Mode of action
In contrast to traditional progestogen-only pills, the contraceptive effect of CERAZETTE is achieved primarily by inhibition of ovulation.1 Other effects include increased viscosity of the cervical mucus.1
Efficacy
Similar to combined oral contraceptives, CERAZETTE is 99% effective
CERAZETTE offers:
Ovulation inhibition similar to that of Combined Oral Contraceptives (COCs) as well as flexibility with a ‘missed pill window’ of 12 hours.1,2,6
Dosing
Dosing CERAZETTE should be taken around the same time each day and has the benefit of 12 hour ‘missed pill window’.1
| Ovulation inhibition | Cervical mucus and/or endometrial changes |
Missed pill window (hours) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CERAZETTE1 | ✔ | ✔ | 12 |
| COCs4,5 | ✔ | ✔ | 12 |
| Other POPs3 | 𝗫‡ | ✔ | 3 |
‡Traditional POPs offer no consistent inhibitory effect on ovulation.3,6
CERAZETTE Selected Safety Information
The decision to prescribe CERAZETTE should take into consideration its side-effect profile, contra-indications and each individual woman′s current risk factors. For complete information on the prescribing and safety information relating to use of CERAZETTE please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). No safety information is available for women younger than 18 years. CERAZETTE is contra-indicated for use in individuals with active venous thromboembolic disorder, presence or history of severe hepatic disease with current abnormal liver function tests, known or suspected sex-steroid sensitive malignancies, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding and hypersensitivity to any ingredients.
Common side effects include, but are not limited to irregular bleeding, amenorrhoea, headache, depressed mood and weight gain. CERAZETTE is not indicated during pregnancy; it does not appear to influence the production or quality of breast milk however there have been infrequent post-marketing reports of a decrease in breast milk production while using CERAZETTE.
References
- CERAZETTE Summary of Product Characteristics.
- Rice, C, Killick S, Dieben T, Coelingh Bennick H. A comparison of the inhibition of ovulation achieved by desogestrel 75 µg and levonorgestrel 30 µg daily. Hum Reprod 1999; 14(4): 982–985.
- NORIDAY Tablets Summary of Product Characteristics.
- MICROGYNON 30 Summary of Product Characteristics.
- YASMIN film-coated tablets Summary of Product Characteristics.
- Milsom I and Korver T. Ovulation incidence with oral contraceptives: a literature review. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2008;34:237-246.
Supporting documentation
Prescribing Information | Summary of Product Characteristics | Patient Information Leaflet
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