Generic degestrol the same as Cerezette?

[LouLou198]

During lockdown, I started Cerezette. For convenience I ordered from Superdrug online, £30 for a 6 month supply. Went for a smear test last week, nurse asked about what contraceptive I was using. Explained the situation and she said she would organise a prescription so I could get it free or charge. Went to collect from the pharmacy and was given an non branded Degesterol. GP surgery are adamant it is exactly the same, but I am sure I have heard some women having issues with non branded pills. Cerezette suits me really well with no side effects, I have some awful experiences with other brands. Thanks.

Same here but have been on the other brand now for three years with no problem.

That's almost spooky, I just googled this a minute ago
Happened to me yesterday, I've only just seen it's a different pack. According to Dr Google they are the same so I'm just going to go with it because it was a palaver to sort out

Not sure. I was on Cerazette for years with no endo flare ups, they changed me to the cheaper brand and within a month I had searing pain again. Maybe a coincidence but I just pay for Cerazette from
Lloyds.

It's the same drug I believe, just like buying neurofen vs Boots brand ibuprofen.

To be honest I think the generic/branded complaints are just placebo effect. They have to be surely? I don't understand what could be different about a branded one unless it's purity or something?

But I'm not a chemist. Maybe a chemist or pharmacist can come and explain!

Thanks everyone. @Sux2Buthen I am assuming it has been prescribed as it was cheaper than the brand. To be honest it is always a faff getting repeat prescriptions from my GP, I think I may well just stick with Superdrug who will deliver directly to me.

I have been on the mini pill for years - Cerazette.... the GP then prescribed me the 'one that's exactly the same' as apparently it's 3 times cheaper for the NHS? Also, they've actually had Cerazette taken off as an option on the system so they can't actually prescribe it.

My mood seemed to be really badly effected on Degesterol - I couldn't cope with it, so now I pay £60 from Lloyds Pharmacy online to buy a years supply of Cerazette... Happy to pay for ease and it means my mood isn't affected.

@FluffyPersian thanks that has definitely made my mind up! My mood has been terrible on other pills has been terrible. For the sake of £60 a year I don't think it is worth the risk. I did read somewhere online Cerezette was no longer a prescribing option for GP's.

I took cerezette for years with absolutely no issues and no periods, got changed to Cerelle which is apparently exactly the same... I was so bloated I couldn't do my trousers up, bled continuously and felt rubbish. Got put back on cerezette and went back to normal. My old GP who swapped me told me they're exactly the same, if so why the huge price difference.

Same for my Dd. Anything other than Cerazette causes her lots of issues. But it’s more expensive so that’s why you need to specifically request it

For the vast vast majority of people, generic drugs are fine. The only differences are filler and coating ingredients. If you find out what the difference is between what you were given and the cerazette, there may be a different generic that is fine.

I pay for Cerazette because I got switched the Cerelle and absolutely hated it. It's worth the cost to have the pill I prefer.

I got put on a different brand pill and wondered why I literally couldn't stop crying for 2 weeks. It was only when my neighbour mentioned it might be that that I went back to the GP. He raised his eyebrows and said but it's the same drug? Which I knew but for some reason the new pill made me go a bit crazy. He changed me back and within 4 days I felt my normal self again.