Questions women may ask

Yes. It is easy for women to start using Cerazette if they are taking a combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill. Women should start Cerazette on the day after the last active tablet of the COC.¹

Please refer to the Cerazette Summary of Product Characteristics for more information. The Patient Information Leaflet in each pack of Cerazette also describes how women should switch to Cerazette from other pills.

Yes. Cerazette can be used by women who are breastfeeding as it does not adversely influence the production or quality of breast milk. However, the development and growth of the nursing infant should be carefully observed.¹

Cerazette should be initiated after delivery before menstruation returns. If more than 21 days have elapsed since the time of delivery, pregnancy should be excluded and an additional method of contraception should be used for the first 7 days of Cerazette use.¹

Yes. Women can start using Cerazette immediately after having had a miscarriage. If initiated immediately after a miscarriage or first-trimester abortion there should be no need to use an additional form of contraception. If not initiated immediately, or after a second-trimester abortion, pregnancy should be excluded and an additional method of contraception should be used for the first 7 days of Cerazette use.¹

No. Once a woman stops taking Cerazette her fertility should return to a level that is normal for her and that is commensurate with her age.^16,17

The most commonly reported undesirable effects in clinical trials were bleeding irregularities. After a couple of months of treatment, however, bleeding tends to become less frequent in many women. Some women may experience heavy or prolonged bleeding. Information, counselling, and a bleeding diary can improve a woman's acceptance of changes in bleeding pattern.¹

Other undesirable effects reported by some women treated with Cerazette include: acne, breast pain, mood and libido changes, nausea and weight increase.¹

Some women taking Cerazette experience weight gain. An increase in weight was one of the most commonly reported undesirable effects in clinical trials, occurring in ≥ 1 in 100 women.¹ Changes in body weight may also occur with combined oral contraceptives and traditional progestogen-only pills.^6–9

If less than 12 hours late, the woman should take the missed pill as soon as she remembers then take the next pill at the usual time. No further contraceptive protection should be required. However, if she is more than 12 hours late, the woman should perform the same actions but use additional contraceptive protection for the next 7 days.

If the missed pill was in the first week of tablet intake and sexual intercourse occurred in the week prior to the pills being missed, then the possibility of a pregnancy should be considered.¹

If a woman reports having an upset stomach or vomiting within 3–4 hours of the time she usually takes her pill she should follow the advice for missed tablets as detailed above.¹

Interactions between hormonal contraceptives and other medicinal products may lead to breakthrough bleeding and/or contraceptive failure. Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics for details of medicines that may affect the contraceptive efficacy of Cerazette.¹

Please read and regularly review the Summary of Product Characteristics before advising women on how to use Cerazette. Please also refer patients to the Patient Information Leaflet contained within each pack of Cerazette.