Cerelle Tablets

Contraception That Fits Around You

Contraception is not a one-size-fits-all conversation. For many women, the combined pill is not suitable, whether because of a sensitivity to oestrogen, a history of migraine with aura, cardiovascular considerations, or a personal preference for a simpler daily routine without a week-long break. Cerelle is a progestogen-only pill (POP), often referred to as the mini pill, that contains desogestrel 75 micrograms as its sole active ingredient. It is licensed in the United Kingdom for the prevention of pregnancy and is a well-recognised option in NHS contraceptive care. This page explains what Cerelle is, how it works, who may be suitable, and how to access it through a clinical consultation at Pharmacy Planet.

Cerelle is a desogestrel-based mini pill, which places it in a different category from older progestogen-only pills. It reliably inhibits ovulation in the majority of cycles, rather than relying solely on changes to cervical mucus. Many women also notice that their periods become lighter or less frequent whilst taking it, though bleeding patterns vary significantly from person to person and are not predictable in advance.

Cerelle is a film-coated tablet containing desogestrel 75 micrograms. It contains no oestrogen. It is manufactured by Consilient Health Ltd and is licensed in the UK for use as a daily oral contraceptive in adult women. Cerelle is sometimes referred to as a generic version of Cerazette, as both contain the same active ingredient at the same dose. They are considered clinically equivalent by the FSRH and NHS prescribing guidance, though they are manufactured by different companies.

Cerelle is available through Pharmacy Planet in two supply sizes. The 84-tablet pack provides a three-month supply, and the 168-tablet pack provides a six-month supply. Both contain identical 75 microgram desogestrel tablets taken on the same daily schedule without breaks.

As a Prescription Only Medicine, Cerelle requires a valid prescription from a registered clinician before it can be supplied. A clinical assessment is necessary to ensure that this particular form of hormone contraception is appropriate for your health circumstances and to identify any contraindications or risk factors before treatment begins.

Inhibiting Ovulation

The primary mechanism of Cerelle is the inhibition of ovulation. Desogestrel acts on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to suppress the hormonal signals that would normally trigger egg release from the ovary. Clinical data supporting the UK SmPC demonstrates that desogestrel at this dose inhibits ovulation in approximately 97% of cycles.

Thickening Cervical Mucus

In addition to suppressing ovulation, Cerelle thickens the cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix. This secondary mechanism contributes to the overall contraceptive effect and provides a degree of protection in cycles where ovulation may not be fully suppressed.

No Pill-Free Interval

Unlike combined contraceptive pills, Cerelle is taken every single day without a seven-day break. There is no planned withdrawal bleed built into the regimen. Some women experience absent periods whilst taking Cerelle, others have irregular spotting, and some continue to bleed at regular intervals. All of these are recognised patterns and none indicates that the pill is failing to work.

Why Oestrogen-Free Matters

The absence of oestrogen in Cerelle means it avoids the oestrogen-related risks that make combined pills unsuitable for certain women. It does not carry the same elevated risk of venous thromboembolism as combined oral contraceptives, it does not suppress breast milk production, and it is not contraindicated in women who experience migraine with aura. These are clinically important distinctions that your prescriber will discuss with you during your consultation.

When to Start

The right starting day for Cerelle depends on your current circumstances. Your prescriber will advise on the most appropriate approach for you:

• Day 1 start: begin on the first day of your period. You are protected from pregnancy immediately.
• Days 2 to 5 start: begin within the first five days of your cycle. Use additional contraception such as condoms for the first two days.
• After childbirth (not breastfeeding): start from day 21 after delivery for immediate protection. Starting later requires two days of additional contraception.
• After childbirth (breastfeeding): Cerelle is considered suitable from six weeks postpartum. Your prescriber or midwife will confirm the timing that applies to your situation.
• Switching from the combined pill: begin Cerelle the day after your last active combined pill tablet. You are protected immediately.

Daily Use

Take one Cerelle tablet every day at the same time, without any break between packs. When one pack is finished, start the next pack the following day. There is no gap and no inactive tablets.

• Swallow each tablet whole with water.
• Take your tablet at the same time each day. Consistency helps to maintain steady hormone levels.
• You have a 12-hour window. If you take your tablet within 12 hours of your usual time, you remain protected.

If You Miss a Tablet

The 12-hour window makes Cerelle more forgiving than older progestogen-only pills, which had a three-hour window. If you miss a tablet:

• Fewer than 12 hours late: take the missed tablet immediately and continue as normal. You remain protected.
• More than 12 hours late: take the missed tablet as soon as you remember and continue the rest of the pack at your usual time. Use additional contraception for the next two days.
• If you had unprotected sex in the period since you missed your tablet, contact your prescriber or pharmacist about whether emergency contraception is needed.

Vomiting within three to four hours of taking a tablet, or severe diarrhoea, may prevent full absorption. Treat this as a missed pill and apply the same guidance. Refer to the Patient Information Leaflet for the complete missed pill and illness guidance.

Tablet Composition

• Active ingredient: desogestrel 75 micrograms per tablet.
• No oestrogen component.
• Film-coated tablet for daily oral use.

Pack Sizes Available Through Pharmacy Planet

• 84 tablets – three-month supply.
• 168 tablets – six-month supply.

Dosage Regimen

One tablet daily, taken at the same time each day, continuously without a break between packs. There is no titration, no dose escalation, and no variation throughout the course. The dose is a fixed 75 micrograms of desogestrel from the first tablet taken. Your prescriber will advise on the most appropriate starting day for your circumstances.

Like all medicines, Cerelle can cause side effects. Not every woman will experience them. The information below is a summary based on the current UK SmPC and should be read alongside the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medication.

Very common side effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 women):

• Changes to menstrual bleeding, including irregular spotting, lighter periods, infrequent periods, or the absence of periods altogether.
• Acne.
• Mood changes, including low mood or mood swings.
• Reduced sex drive.
• Headache.
• Nausea.
• Breast tenderness.
• Weight increase.

Common side effects (affecting up to 1 in 10 women):

• Vaginal infection.
• Difficulty tolerating contact lenses.
• Vomiting.
• Hair loss.

Serious side effects – seek urgent medical attention if you notice:

• Severe abdominal pain. If pregnancy occurs whilst taking Cerelle, there is a proportionally higher risk that it may be an ectopic pregnancy.
• Signs of a blood clot: sudden leg pain or swelling, chest pain, or breathlessness.
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or difficulty breathing.

Important drug interactions: enzyme-inducing medicines reduce the effectiveness of Cerelle by increasing the rate at which desogestrel is broken down. Always tell your prescriber about all medicines, supplements, and herbal products you take, including:

• Rifampicin and rifabutin (used for tuberculosis and certain other infections).
• Antiepileptic medicines including phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, oxcarbazepine, and topiramate.
• Certain HIV and hepatitis C medicines including ritonavir, nelfinavir, and nevirapine.
• St John's Wort, a herbal supplement widely available without prescription.

Cerelle is not suitable if you:

• Have or have ever had breast cancer or another cancer sensitive to progestogens.
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding that has not been assessed by a doctor.
• Have liver disease or a liver tumour.
• Have a history of arterial disease or stroke caused by a blood clot in an artery.
• Are known to be pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
• Are allergic to desogestrel or any ingredient listed in the SmPC.

This medicine may be appropriate if you:

• Are an adult woman seeking a daily oestrogen-free contraceptive.
• Have migraine with aura, which is a contraindication to combined pills but not to progestogen-only pills.
• Are breastfeeding and need a contraceptive compatible with feeding from six weeks postpartum.
• Are a smoker aged over 35, for whom the cardiovascular risks of combined pills are significantly higher.
• Have blood pressure that makes oestrogen-containing contraception unsuitable.
• Have previously experienced side effects on a combined pill and are looking for an oestrogen-free alternative.

Use with caution if you:

• Have a personal or family history of venous thromboembolism.
• Have a history of depression or are currently experiencing low mood.
• Have diabetes. Desogestrel may affect glucose metabolism.
• Have a history of ectopic pregnancy.
• Have a history of liver problems.
• Have been diagnosed with or are being investigated for ovarian cysts.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered UK online pharmacy. All prescriptions for Cerelle are issued through a genuine clinical consultation with a registered prescriber. The process works as follows:

1. Complete a Structured Medical Questionnaire

This covers your current health, medical history, family history relevant to contraception, medicines you take, and key lifestyle factors including smoking status. Accurate and complete answers are essential.

2. Clinical Review

A registered prescriber reviews your consultation individually and assesses whether Cerelle is clinically appropriate for your specific circumstances.

3. Prescription or Alternative Advice

A prescription is issued only if the prescriber determines that Cerelle is appropriate for you. The prescriber may determine that a different contraceptive method is more suitable, that further information is needed, or that a face-to-face appointment is required.

4. Dispatch and Repeat Supply

If a prescription is issued, your medication is dispensed and dispatched by our pharmacy team. Repeat supply also requires a consultation, allowing the prescriber to confirm that continued use remains appropriate for your health.

• Store below 30°C.
• Keep tablets in the original blister packaging to protect from moisture.
• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use tablets after the expiry date printed on the pack.
• Do not dispose of medicines via wastewater or household waste. Return unused tablets to your pharmacist for safe disposal.

This reference guide compares the contraceptive preparations available at Pharmacy Planet, grouped by delivery method and formulation type. Every preparation is a Prescription Only Medicine. A registered prescriber will review your individual health profile, contraceptive history, and risk factors before recommending any preparation. This table is a clinical reference, not a recommendation.

Progestogen-Only Tablets (Mini Pill)

Progestogen-only pills contain no oestrogen and are taken every day with no break between packs. The table below compares commonly prescribed progestogen-only pills by missed pill window, primary contraceptive mechanism, and clinical characteristics. These differences are clinically significant and pills are not interchangeable without prescriber review.

Important: This comparison is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. A prescriber will decide which treatment is suitable for you following an online consultation.

Pharmacy Planet is a registered UK online pharmacy regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council. We offer a clinically responsible and confidential route to accessing prescription contraception, including progestogen-only pills such as Cerelle. Our aim is to make reproductive healthcare more accessible without lowering the clinical standards that keep patients safe.

Every consultation submitted through our platform is reviewed by a registered prescriber. They make individual clinical decisions. If Cerelle is not appropriate for you, they will tell you, and our team will support you in identifying an alternative where possible. We exist to inform and assist, not simply to dispatch medication.

You can verify our GPhC registration at any time via pharmacyregulation.org. The EU common logo on our website confirms our status as a legitimate, verified UK online pharmacy. Our pharmacy team is available if you have questions before, during, or after your consultation.

• Consilient Health Ltd. Cerelle 75 microgram film-coated tablets — Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: www.medicines.org.uk/emc. Accessed May 2026.
• Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH). Progestogen-Only Pills — Clinical Guidance. Available at: www.fsrh.org. Accessed May 2026.
• NHS. Progestogen-only pill (mini pill) — your contraception guide. Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/progestogen-only-pill. Accessed May 2026.
• British National Formulary (BNF). Desogestrel. Available at: bnf.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contraception — overview. Available at: www.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.