CERAZETTE®

Tablets for oral use

What is in this leaflet

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• This leaflet will provide information about the benefits and risks of
  Cerazette. It will also advise you about how to take Cerazette properly and
  when to tell your doctor about health-related conditions. If you have any
  further questions, ask your doctor or your pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others.
  It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side
  effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or your
  pharmacist.

What is CERAZETTE and what is it used for?

How does Cerazette work?

Cerazette contains a small amount of one type of female sex hormone, the
progestagen desogestrel. For this reason Cerazette is called a progestagen-only-pill
(POP), or a mini-pill. Contrary to combined pills, mini-pills do not contain
an oestrogen hormone next to the progestagen. Most mini-pills work primarily
by preventing the sperm cells from entering the womb but, unlike combined
pills, they do not always prevent an egg cell from ripening. Cerazette is
distinct from other mini-pills because, like combined pills, in most cases it
does prevent the egg cells from ripening. As a result, Cerazette provides high
contraceptive efficacy. In contrast to the combined pill, Cerazette can be
used by women who do not tolerate oestrogens and by women who are breast
feeding. A disadvantage is that vaginal bleeding may occur at irregular
intervals during the use of Cerazette. You also may not have any bleeding at
all.

Why is Cerazette used?

To prevent pregnancy.

When Cerazette is taken correctly (without missing tablets), the chance of
becoming pregnant is very low.

Before you start to take Cerazette

Cerazette, like all hormonal contraceptives, does not protect against HIV
infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease.

When should you not take Cerazette?

Do not use Cerazette if you have any of the conditions listed below. If any
of these apply to you, tell your doctor before starting to use Cerazette. Your
doctor may advise you to use a non-hormonal method of birth control.

• If you have a thrombosis. Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in
  a blood vessel [e.g. of the legs (deep venous thrombosis) or the lungs
  (pulmonary embolism)].
• If you have jaundice (yellowing of the skin) or severe liver disease.
• If you have a cancer that grows under the influence of progestagens.
• If you have any unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
• If you are allergic to any of the ingredients of Cerazette.

If any of these conditions appear for the first time while using Cerazette
you should consult your doctor promptly.

When do you have to take special care with Cerazette?

If Cerazette is used in the presence of any of the conditions listed below,
you may need to be kept under close observation. Your doctor can explain to
you what to do. Therefore, if any of these apply to you, tell your doctor
before starting to use Cerazette:

• You have or have had breast cancer;
• You have liver cancer;
• You have ever had a thrombosis;
• You have diabetes;
• You suffer from epilepsy;
• You suffer from tuberculosis;
• You have high blood pressure;
• You have or have had chloasma (yellowish-brown pigmentation patches on
  the skin, particularly of the face); if so avoid too much exposure to the
  sun or ultraviolet radiation.

Potentially serious conditions

Decreased Bone Mass

Oestrogens are important to maintain the strength of your bones. During the
use of Cerazette, the concentration in your blood of the natural oestrogen
estradiol is comparable to the concentration seen in the first half of your
natural cycle but is decreased in comparison with the second half of the
natural cycle. It is not known whether this has an effect on the strength of
your bones.

Breast Cancer

Every woman is at risk of breast cancer whether or not she takes oral
contraceptives ('the Pill'). Breast cancer has been found slightly more often
in women who take the Pill than in women of the same age who do not take the
Pill. When women stop taking the Pill, the risk gradually decreases, so that
10 years after stopping the risk is the same as for women who have never taken
the Pill. Breast cancer is rare under 40 years of age but the risk increases
as the woman gets older. Therefore, the extra number of breast cancers
diagnosed is higher among women who use the Pill at a higher age. How long a
woman takes the Pill is less important.

In every 10,000 women who take the Pill for up to 5 years but stop taking
it by the age of 20, there would be less than 1 extra case of breast cancer
found up to 10 years after stopping, in addition to the 4 cases normally
diagnosed in this age group. Likewise, in 10,000 women who take the Pill for
up to 5 years but stop taking it by the age of 30, there would be 5 extra
cases in addition to the 44 cases normally diagnosed. In 10,000 women who take
the Pill for up to 5 years but stop taking it by the age of 40, there would be
20 extra cases in addition to the 160 cases normally diagnosed.

Breast cancers found in women who take the Pill, seem less likely to have
spread than breast cancers found in women who do not take the Pill. It is not
known whether the difference in breast cancer risk is caused by the Pill. It
may be that the women were examined more often, so that the breast cancer is
noticed earlier.

Thrombosis

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot, which may block a blood
vessel. A thrombosis sometimes occurs in the deep veins of the legs (deep
venous thrombosis). If this clot breaks away from the veins where it is
formed, it may reach and block the arteries of the lungs, causing a so-called
"pulmonary embolism". As a result, fatal situations may occur. Deep venous
thrombosis is a rare occurrence. It can develop whether or not you are taking
the Pill. It can also happen if you become pregnant. The risk is higher in
Pill-users than in non-users, but it is not as high as the risk during
pregnancy. The risk with progestagen-only pills like Cerazette is believed to
be lower than in users of Pills that also contain oestrogens (combined Pills).
If you notice possible signs of a thrombosis, you should see your doctor
immediately. (See also section 'When should you contact your doctor'?).

Using Other Medicines

Some medicines may stop Cerazette from working properly. These include
medicines used for the treatment of epilepsy (e.g. primidone, phenytoin,
barbiturates), or tuberculosis (e.g. rifampicin, rifabutin), and HIV
infections (e.g. ritonavir), or other infectious diseases (e.g. griseofulvin),
medical charcoal used for stomach upset, and the herbal remedy St John's wort
(primarily used for the treatment of depressive moods).

Always tell the doctor, who prescribes Cerazette, which medicines you are
already using. Your doctor can tell you if you need to take additional
contraceptive precautions and if so, for how long.

Vaginal Bleeding

Vaginal bleeding may occur at irregular intervals during the use of
Cerazette. This may be just slight staining which may not even require a pad,
or heavier bleeding, which looks rather like a scanty period and requires
sanitary protection. You may also not have any bleeding at all. The irregular
bleedings are not a sign that the contraceptive protection of Cerazette is
decreased. In general, you need not take any action; just continue to take
Cerazette. If, however, bleeding is heavy or prolonged consult your doctor.

Ovarian Cysts

During the use of all low-dose hormonal contraceptives, small fluid-filled
sacs may develop in the ovaries. These are called ovarian cysts. They usually
disappear on their own. Sometimes they cause mild abdominal pain. Only rarely,
they may lead to more serious problems.

Pregnancy

Cerazette must not be used by women who are pregnant, or who think they may
be pregnant.

Breastfeeding

Cerazette may be used while you are breastfeeding. Cerazette does not
influence the production or the quality of breast milk. However, a small
amount of the active substance of Cerazette passes over into the milk.

The health of breast-fed children whose mothers were using Cerazette has
been studied up to 2.5 years of age. No effects on the growth and development
of the children were observed.

If you are breastfeeding and want to use Cerazette, please contact your
doctor.

Driving and using machines

There are no indications of any effect of the use of Cerazette on alertness
and concentration.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Cerazette

If you have been told by your doctor that you have intolerance to some
sugars, contact your doctor before taking Cerazette.

When should you contact your doctor?

How do you take CERAZETTE?

When and how to take the tablets?

The Cerazette pack contains 28 tablets. Arrows are printed on the front
side of the pack, between the tablets. If you turn over your pack, and look at
the back side, you will see the days of the week printed on the foil. Each day
corresponds to one tablet. Every time you start a new pack of Cerazette, take
a tablet from the top row. Don't start with just any tablet. For example if
you start on a Wednesday, you must take the tablet from the top row marked (at
the back) with WED. Continue to take one tablet a day until the pack is empty,
always following the direction indicated by the arrows. By looking at the back
of your pack you can easily check if you have already taken your tablet on a
particular day. Take your tablet each day at about the same time. Swallow the
tablet whole, with water. You may have some bleeding during the use of
Cerazette, but you must continue to take your tablets as normal. When a pack
is empty, you must start with a new pack of Cerazette on the next day - thus
without interruption and without waiting for a bleed.

You can stop taking Cerazette whenever you want. From the day you stop you
are no longer protected against pregnancy.

Starting your first pack of Cerazette

• If you are not taking the pill at present.
  

  Wait for your period to begin. On the first day of your period take the
  first Cerazette tablet. You need not take extra contraceptive precautions.
  You may also start on days 2-5 of your cycle, but in that case make sure you
  also use an additional contraceptive method (barrier method) for the first 7
  days of tablet-taking in the first cycle.

• When you change from a combined pill, vaginal ring, or transdermal
  patch.
  
  You can start taking Cerazette on the day after you take the last tablet
  from your present Pill pack, or on the day of removal of your vaginal ring
  or patch (this means no tablet-, ring-, or patch-free break). If your
  present Pill pack also contains inactive tablets you can start Cerazette on
  the day after taking the last active tablet (if you are not sure which this
  is, ask your doctor or pharmacist). If you follow these instructions, it is
  not necessary to use an additional contraceptive method.
• You can also start at the latest the day following the tablet-, ring-,
  patch-free break, or placebo tablet interval, of your present contraceptive.
  If you follow these instructions, make sure you use during the first cycle
  an additional contraceptive method (barrier method) for the first 7 days of
  tablet-taking.
• When you change from another progestagen-only pill (mini-pill).
  
  You may stop taking it any day and start taking Cerazette right away. You
  need not take extra contraceptive precautions.
• When you change from an injectable or implant or a progestagen-releasing
  intrauterine device (IUD).
  
  Start using Cerazette when your next injection is due or on the day that
  your implant or your IUD is removed. You need not take extra contraceptive
  precautions.
• If you have just had a baby.
  
  You can start Cerazette between 21 and 28 days after the birth of your baby.
  If you start later, make sure you use during the first cycle an additional
  contraceptive method (barrier method) for the first 7 days of tablet-taking.
  However, if intercourse has already occurred, pregnancy should be excluded
  before starting Cerazette use. Additional information for breast feeding
  women can be found in the paragraph "Breastfeeding" in the section
  "When do you have to take special care with Cerazette". Your doctor can also
  advise you.
• After miscarriage or an abortion.
  

  Your doctor will advise you.

If you forget to take one or more tablets

If you are less than 12 hours late in taking a tablet, the
reliability of Cerazette is maintained. Take the missed tablet as soon as you
remember and take the next tablet at the usual time.

If you are more than 12 hours late in taking any tablet, the
reliability of Cerazette may be reduced. The more consecutive tablets you have
missed the higher the risk that the contraceptive efficacy is decreased. Take
the last missed tablet as soon as you remember and take the next tablet at the
usual time. Use a condom too for the next 7 days of tablet-taking. If you
missed one or more tablets in the first week of tablet-intake and had
intercourse in the week before missing the tablets, there is a possibility of
becoming pregnant. Ask your doctor for advice.

If you suffer from gastrointestinal disturbances (e.g. vomiting, severe
diarrhoea)

If you vomit within 3-4 hours after taking your Cerazette tablet or have
severe diarrhoea, the active ingredient may not have been completely absorbed.
Follow the advice for missed tablets in the section "If you forget to take
one or more tablets". If you have severe diarrhoea, please contact your
doctor.

If too many Cerazette tablets are taken (overdose)

There have been no reports of serious harmful effects from taking too many
Cerazette tablets at one time. Symptoms that may occur are nausea, vomiting
and, in women or girls, slight vaginal bleeding. For more information ask your
doctor for advice.

If you want to stop taking Cerazette

You can stop taking Cerazette at any time you want. If you do not want to
become pregnant, ask your doctor about other methods of birth control.

If you stop using Cerazette because you want to get pregnant, it is
generally recommended that you wait until you have had a natural period before
trying to conceive. This helps you to work out when the baby will be due.

Possible Side Effects

Like all medicines, Cerazette can cause side effects, although not
everybody gets them. Tell your doctor if you notice any unwanted effect,
especially if severe or persistent, or if there is a change in your health
that you think might be caused by Cerazette.

Serious side effects

Serious undesirable effects associated with the use of contraceptive Pills
are described in the section "When do you have to take special care with
Cerazette". Please read this section for additional information and
consult your doctor at once where appropriate.

Other possible side effects

Common (occurring in more than one per 100 users) are:

• Mood altered, decreased sexual drive (libido)
• Headache
• Nausea
• Acne
• Breast pain, irregular or no menstruation
• Increased body weight

Uncommon (occurring in more than one per 1000 users but not more than one
per 100 users) are:

• Infection of the vagina
• Difficulties in wearing contact lenses
• Vomiting
• Hair loss
• Painful menstruation, ovarian cyst
• Tiredness

Rare (occurring in less than one per 1000 users) are:

• Rash, hives, painful blue-red skin lumps (erythema nodosum) (these are
  skin conditions)

If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects
not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor.

How to store CERAZETTE

Store between 2°C to 30°C, protected from light and moisture. Do not use
after the expiry date stated on the package.

Keep your tablets out of the reach and sight of children!

Further information

What Cerazette contains

The active substance is: desogestrel (75 micrograms).

The other ingredients are: silica; colloidal anhydrous; all-rac-α-tocopherol;
lactose monohydrate; maize starch; povidone; stearic acid; hypromellose;
macrogol 400; talc and titanium dioxide (E 171).

What Cerazette looks like and the content of the package

One blister pack of Cerazette contains 28 white round tablets. The tablets
are coded KV above 2 on one side and ORGANON* on the reverse side. Each carton
contains 1 or 3 blister packs, each separately packed in a sachet. Not all
pack sizes may be available.