Progestogen-only contraceptive (POP)
Desogestrel
Brand names: Cerazette, Cerelle
Adult dose
Dose: 75 micrograms OD continuously
Route: Oral
Frequency: OD
Clinical pearls
- FSRH POP guideline: 12-hour window if pill missed (vs 3-hour for traditional POPs)
- Suitable when CHC contraindicated (smokers >35, HT, migraine with aura, breastfeeding, history of VTE)
- Available OTC (Lovima/Hana) for adults — pharmacist supply
Contraindications
- Active VTE/arterial events
- Sex steroid-dependent malignancy
- Severe hepatic disease
- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- Pregnancy
- Hypersensitivity
Side effects
- Bleeding pattern changes (frequent or absent)
- Headache
- Mood change
- Acne
- Breast tenderness
- Functional ovarian cysts
- Reduced bone mineral density (negligible)
- Ectopic pregnancy if conception
Interactions
- Enzyme inducers (rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St John's wort) — reduced efficacy
- Lamotrigine
Monitoring
- BP at baseline
- Bleeding pattern
- Pregnancy if amenorrhoea + suspected
Reference: BNF; FSRH POP guideline; UKMEC; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/desogestrel/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.