Cerazette
This drug is an oral contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy. This is a progesterone-only pill, whose generic equivalent is desogestrel. This type of drug, often designated as a mini-pill, is considered safer and less invasive by most doctors and patients.
How Does Cerazette Work?
Cerazette is a progesterone-based contraceptive that interferes with the normal release of an egg from the patient's ovary. It also interferes with sperm mobility and implantation. Unlike other brands of the mini-pill, Cerazette - manufactured by Organon - generally does not act as a potential abortifacient to an already-fertilized egg.
Cerazette Dosage
This drug is readily available in a 75-microgram tablet. Many women successfully suppress pregnancy by taking one pill daily of this standard dosage. However, doctors can adjust the dosage if a woman is more or less sensitive to the progesterone used to prevent conception.
How Often is Cerazette Taken?
Cerazette is taken on a daily basis, usually once per day, and should be administered at the same time of the day for best results.
How Effective is Cerazette?
It can take time for a woman's body to regulate when they begin taking this drug. During this adjustment period, doctors recommend that secondary barrier methods of birth control be used in conjunction with the mini-pill. Once the hormones regulate, Cerazette prevents most pregnancies when taken according to the directions. If a patient skips even one dose of the drug, however, she may be at risk for pregnancy. Because the pill is slowly released in the stomach over time, this contraceptive can also fail if the patient vomits within several hours of taking their prescribed dosage.
Cerazette Side Effects
When taking Cerazette, common side effects include an irregular menstrual cycle, lowered libido, headaches, mood swings, increased acne, nausea, weight gain and tenderness in the breasts. As much as ten percent of those taking this progesterone-only pill will experience these side effects. Serious side effects occur in less than one percent of patients but can include hair loss, ovarian cysts, menstrual pain, ectopic pregnancy and extreme fatigue.
What Other Medications Affect Cerazette?
Women who are taking Cerazette can experience adverse reactions when the medication is mixed with other drugs. Several drugs and categories of drugs affect Cerazette, including charcoal, Phenobarbital, barbiturates and the herb St. John's Wort. However, Cerazette does not interact with alcohol or other foods.
Who Should Not Take Cerazette?
Women should be tested for an existing pregnancy before beginning a course of Cerazette, as the drug can harm a gestating baby. The drug is also not recommended for women 44 years of age or older, anyone with allergies to ingredients in the drug, women with uncontrolled high blood pressure, or those with diabetes, liver problems or cancer. Cerazette does pass through breast milk, and nursing babies whose mothers are taking this prescription should be monitored closely for adverse reactions and changes in behaviour.
