Cerazette and onset of protection

Hello,

Thank you for asking your query at DoctorSpring.

Cerazette is a Progestogen only pill (mini pill) used for contraception. Its effectiveness starts immediately. (Once you start the pill you are safe) So in a day or two after starting the pill you can have sex without condoms. Do note that this pill will prevent pregnancy, but not STDs.

Also note :

* There are NO break days - The pill should be taken everyday to be effective.
* If you miss the pill (or there is a delay more than 12 hour) it might not be effective
* It's better to take the pill same time every day.

Hope this helps
Feel free to ask followups
Thank you

I have read and heard conflicting advice and guidelines from different sources including my own GP, Many are saying that it can take 2 to 3 weeks to take effect if it is my first time taking it. I didn't start the pill on my period, I know that can sometimes cause a delay in taking effect. I started my course of Cerazette about 3 days after my period ended.

Other conflicting information I've heard is that there is only a 3 hour window where I can take the pill 'late' instead of the usual 12 hours with other types of pill.

I just don't want to end up in a unnecessary situation because I didn't ask enough questions. Thank You.

Hello,

Please allow me to quote the product guideline here :

"
3. HOW TO TAKE CERAZETTE

3.1 When and how to take the tablets?

Each strip of Cerazette contains 28 tablets – 4 weeks supply.
• Take your tablet each day at about the sametime. Swallow the tablet whole, with
water.
• Arrows are printed on the front of the strip, between the tablets. The days of the week are
printed on the back of the strip. Each day corresponds with one tablet.
• Every time you start a new strip 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 (on the back) with WED.
• Continue to take one tablet every 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.
• You may have some vaginal bleeding during the use of Cerazette, (See Section 4 Side
Effects) but you must continue to take your tablets as normal.
• When a strip is empty, you must start with a new strip of Cerazette on the next day -
without interruption and without waiting for a bleed.


3.2 Starting your first pack of Cerazette

• If you are not using hormonal contraception at present (or in the past month)
Wait for your period to begin. On the first day of your period take the first Cerazette tablet. Additional contraceptive precautions are not necessary. If you take your first tablet on days 2-5 of your period use an additional barrier method of contraception for the first 7 days of tablet-taking.


3.3 If you forget to take Cerazette


• If you areless than 12 hours late:
- Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember and take the next one at the
usual time. Cerazette will still protect you from pregnancy.
• If you aremore than 12 hours late:
- If you are more than 12 hours late in taking any tablet, you may not be
completely protected against pregnancy. The more consecutive tablets you
have missed, the higher the risk that you might fall pregnant.
- Take a tablet as soon as you remember and take the next one at the usual time.
This may mean taking two in one day. This is not harmful. (If you have forgotten
more than one tablet you don’t need to take the earlier missed ones). Continue to
take your tablets as usual but you must also use an extra method, such as a
condom, for the next 7 days.
- If you are more than 12 hours late taking your tablet and have had sex it is safe to
use emergency contraception;please consult your pharmacist or doctor.
- If you missed one or more tablets in the very first week of tablet-intake and had
intercourse in the week before missing the tablets, you may fall pregnant. Ask
your doctor for advice.

--------------------------

So basically - (1) you can start on first day of your periods and you will be protected immediately. (2) ONLY if If you take your first tablet on days 2-5 of your period use an additional barrier method of contraception for the first 7 days of tablet-taking. - Since you have already started it does not wait. (3) The maximum missed duration can be upto 12 hours.

Here is the product information - http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/document.aspx?documentid=11383


Hope this clarifies
Feel free to ask followups questions