Cerazette® (Desogestrel)

​Common side effects include:

• Menstrual irregularities e.g. irregular bleeding, heavy menstruation, spotting between menstrual cycles, delayed or not having a menstrual cycle. Inform your doctor:
• If you do not have a menstrual cycle because there is a need to rule out pregnancy.
• If you are having heavy and continuous bleeding as it may lead to anaemia.
• If you are having any other abnormal vaginal bleeding.
• Stomach discomfort e.g. nausea, vomiting
• Take it after food to minimise gastric side effects.
• Breast tenderness
• Headache and dizziness
• Paracetamol can be taken to manage headaches. Avoid activities that require mental alertness and avoid using heavy machineries.
• Acne

Other possible side effects include weight changes, change in mood such as mood swings or low mood and decreased sexual drive.

Most of these side effects will get better or go away as your body gets used to the medication.

Inform your doctor if the side effects above become severe and bothersome.

Very rarely, this medication may cause:

• Very bad, unusual headache
• Sudden changes to your sight or speech
• Very bad pain in your chest
• Unusual pain or swelling of your legs
• Dark urine or light coloured stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellowing of your eyes or skin

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
• You have a history of or current medical conditions such as liver problems, stroke, heart disease, blood clots, migraine headaches, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus or cancer

If you are seeing other healthcare professionals for any other medical conditions, inform them that you are taking this medication

Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications as they may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Furthermore, oral contraceptives may also change the effect of other medications.