Reviewed by Usama Ali, MPharm (GPhC: 2224726). Last reviewed: April 2026.
Cerelle is a progestogen-only contraceptive pill (mini pill) containing desogestrel 75 micrograms. It is taken once a day with no break between packs. Cerelle has a 12 hour late window, meaning you are still protected if you take it up to 12 hours after your usual time.
It is free on the NHS through the Pharmacy Contraception Service and is clinically equivalent to Cerazette.
Cerelle is a progestogen-only contraceptive pill, also called the mini pill. It contains one active ingredient: desogestrel at a dose of 75 micrograms per tablet. It is manufactured by Consilient Health.
Cerelle is the same medicine as Cerazette, Feanolla, and Zelleta. All four brands contain desogestrel 75 micrograms and work in the same way. The only differences are the manufacturer, the packaging, and some inactive ingredients. For a full comparison, read our guide on Cerelle vs Cerazette.
Unlike the combined pill, Cerelle does not contain oestrogen. That makes it suitable for people who cannot take oestrogen, including those who are breastfeeding, have migraines with aura, smoke and are over 35, or have raised blood pressure.
Cerelle prevents pregnancy in three ways. It stops your ovaries from releasing an egg in most cycles. It thickens the mucus at the cervix, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg. And it thins the lining of the womb, reducing the chance of a fertilised egg implanting.
Taken correctly, Cerelle is more than 99% effective. With typical use (where pills are occasionally missed or taken late), effectiveness is around 91% (FSRH, 2022).
Because desogestrel stops ovulation in most cycles, it is more effective than traditional mini pills containing norethisterone or levonorgestrel, which rely mainly on thickening cervical mucus.
Take one tablet at the same time each day, every day. There is no break between packs. When you finish one pack of 28 tablets, start the next one the following day.
Cerelle has a 12 hour late window. If you take it less than 12 hours after your usual time, you are still protected. If you are more than 12 hours late, take the missed pill as soon as you remember, continue taking the rest of the pack as normal, and use condoms for the next 48 hours.
If you start Cerelle on day 1 of your period, you are protected straight away. If you start on any other day, use condoms for the first 2 days.
For personalised missed pill advice, use our missed pill tool.
Common side effects listed in the Cerelle SPC include irregular bleeding or spotting, acne, breast tenderness, headaches, mood changes including low mood, nausea, and changes in body weight. These are most common in the first 2 to 3 months and usually settle as your body adjusts.
Changes to your bleeding pattern are the most frequently reported effect. Some people find their periods become lighter, less frequent, or stop altogether. Others get irregular spotting, especially in the first few months. Both are normal and not a sign that anything is wrong.
"Irregular bleeding in the first three months is the most common reason people consider stopping the mini pill," says Usama Ali, MPharm (GPhC: 2224726), pharmacist at Contraception Direct. "If you can give it time, it usually settles. If it does not, we can discuss whether a different pill might suit you."
Cerelle does not increase the risk of blood clots. This is one of its main advantages over the combined pill. For more on this, read our guide on the pill and blood clots.
Cerelle is available from menarche up to age 54 through the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service. At Contraception Direct, we supply to patients aged 16 to 54. It is safe for people who are breastfeeding (from birth), have migraines with aura, smoke and are over 35, have a BMI above 35, have raised blood pressure, or have a history of blood clots.
All of these are reasons why the combined pill would not normally be prescribed, but Cerelle remains suitable.
Cerelle is not suitable if you have or have had breast cancer, severe liver disease, or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Your pharmacist checks your full medical history before supplying it.
A blood pressure reading is not usually needed for the mini pill. Your pharmacist will confirm what is required when you book.
| Mini pill | Active ingredient | Dose | Timing window | Stops ovulation? | PCS age range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerelle | Desogestrel | 75 micrograms | 12 hours | Yes, in most cycles | 16 to 54 |
| Cerazette | Desogestrel | 75 micrograms | 12 hours | Yes, in most cycles | 16 to 54 |
| Feanolla | Desogestrel | 75 micrograms | 12 hours | Yes, in most cycles | 16 to 54 |
| Zelleta | Desogestrel | 75 micrograms | 12 hours | Yes, in most cycles | 16 to 54 |
| Slynd | Drospirenone | 4 milligrams | 24 hours | Yes | 16 to 49 |
| Noriday | Norethisterone | 350 micrograms | 3 hours | No | 16 to 54 |
| Norgeston | Levonorgestrel | 30 micrograms | 3 hours | No | 16 to 54 |
Cerelle, Cerazette, Feanolla, and Zelleta are all the same medicine. The choice between them is based on cost and stock, not clinical difference. Under the NHS PCS, your pharmacist supplies whichever desogestrel 75 microgram product is available.
Slynd is a genuinely different mini pill with a longer timing window (24 hours) and anti-androgenic properties that may help with acne and bloating. It is available through the PCS to ages 16 to 49.
Traditional mini pills (Noriday, Norgeston) have a stricter 3 hour timing window and do not reliably stop ovulation. They are less commonly prescribed now.
For help choosing, read which contraceptive pill is right for me.
Cerelle changes your bleeding pattern. This is one of the most common effects and one of the most common questions people have.
Around 1 in 5 people on desogestrel find their periods stop completely. Others find them lighter or less frequent. Some get irregular spotting, especially in the first 3 months. A small number of people have more frequent or prolonged bleeding.
These changes are not harmful. They happen because desogestrel affects the womb lining differently from your natural cycle. There is no medical reason to have a monthly bleed while on the mini pill.
If bleeding is heavy, persistent, or bothering you after 3 months, speak to your pharmacist. Switching to a different mini pill or to the combined pill (if suitable) is straightforward.
Cerelle is available free on the NHS through your GP, a sexual health clinic, or a pharmacy through the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service. With Contraception Direct, you book a free phone consultation, your pharmacist checks your suitability, and your pill is posted in discreet packaging within 1 to 3 working days.
Under the PCS, your pharmacist supplies the most cost-effective desogestrel 75 microgram product available. You may receive Cerelle, Cerazette, Feanolla, Zelleta, or unbranded generic desogestrel. They are all the same medicine.
If you are currently on Cerelle and want to continue, or if you want to start the pill for the first time, book a consultation. Your pharmacist will confirm whether it is right for you.