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Original poster

Pill help - Cerazette vs generic Desogestrel

23 replies

PoptartPoptart · 01/12/2023 08:46

The branded pill Cerazette and the generic version Desogestrel contain the same ingredients.
So how come my periods stop completely on Cerazette but I bleed pretty much constantly when I take the non branded version of Desogestrel?
My doctor doesn’t believe me and won’t prescribe Cerazette as she says the two are exactly the same (and Cerazette costs the NHS more to prescribe apparently).
Has anyone else experienced a difference like this? I feel like I’m going mad!

OP posts:
Stephisaur · 01/12/2023 08:51

I had the same issue. I have to have cerazette, otherwise I bleed constantly. Had the same issue with the GP but just kept booking appointments with the same woman every fortnight until she got fed up of me going and complaining about my periods and put me on a repeat prescription for cerazette.

RunAwayNow · 01/12/2023 08:52

Yep, exactly the same here. Constant fight every time I need a repeat.

Killinginthenimya · 01/12/2023 08:53

Cons told me that cerezette has a bit more of the medication in that non branded. I have reactions to non branded, I'm not allowed to take it.

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Original poster
PoptartPoptart · 01/12/2023 09:07

Thanks for the replies so far - at least I know it’s not just me!
Now I just need to convince my GP, which is hard because she is adamant they are the same.

OP posts:
Killinginthenimya · 03/12/2023 19:36

I had constant bleeding and severe severe irritation on non branded.
I've never bled for 15 years on cerezette

OldTinHat · 03/12/2023 19:55

I have been given desogestrel thanks to Pharmacy2U instead of the originally prescribed POP for years. Not the one you mention, I can't remember the name.

I've not had a bleed in six years on it.

AtomicBlondeRose · 03/12/2023 20:02

I buy Cerazette online via a private prescription because otherwise you get the generic as a substitute and I hate it. Cerelle was terrible. It doesn’t cost much, I think it’s £30 for 6 months, and much easier too.

Luxell934 · 03/12/2023 20:02

Yes this happened to me too, the doctor kept trying to fob me off with the generic brand it didn't work the same. I just started buying mine online from superdrug in the end to save the fuss of booking an appointment. But I realise not everyone can afford to do that.

Snackpocket · 03/12/2023 20:02

I seem to get a different brand of desogestrel every time I get my pill, I’ve definitely noticed that on one type I had more spotting and bleeds. Nothing with the current one, and I don’t know which he it was that caused the bleeding!

Archer4891 · 03/12/2023 20:10

So happy to have just found this post! Started Zelleta 3 months ago - got to a point I felt settled on it with side effects gone. The last week I have felt awful, anxiety through the roof - just checked the packet and for the past 2 weeks I have been taking Desogestrel instead - clearly the change in them has impacted me! Just reordered the original pill via online pharmacy!

rookiemere · 03/12/2023 20:13

I had the same issue. Pain free on Cerazette but within a month on the generic brand I had crippling pain again ( endometriosis)
I was paying through Lloyds pharmacy for Cerazette myself but decided to save the £120 per year so now I ask the doctors to prescribe actual Cerazette.

Groovee · 03/12/2023 20:15

I bled for 8 months on desogetral. Worst thing I ever did.

My Dd needs a certain brand to prevent constant bleeding too.

BettyOBarley · 03/12/2023 20:17

I've found the same.

Cerazette was awful for me, really low moods, huge painful spots etc etc. Unbranded has been fine (it has stopped my periods as well).

Funnily enough I had another type of desogestrol to my usual one (non branded) and I could tell a difference with that too, the nurse didn't believe me.

ItsJustASimpleLine · 03/12/2023 20:20

Happened to me. The Nurse Practitioner was a woman and listened to me straight away thankfully. Or she may have taken pity on me as I was a broken woman having been on my period for 3months and I bleed really heavy. I'm always prescribed Cerazette now and no periods at all.

Fight for the right prescription or request another doctor. You should not have to suffer.

Original poster
PoptartPoptart · 04/12/2023 19:19

It’s so interesting to hear all of your stories. I’m going to push my GP for a prescription for Cerazette. Thanks all.

OP posts:
Cazzy87 · 19/12/2023 13:23

i had exactly the same experience! i went back to my GP and demanded to be put back on cerazette and she did it

Newtrix · 19/12/2023 14:15

Same here! I also got so bloated my clothes didn't fit. GP tried saying it was the same so I asked why the huge price difference?! Never been an issue since.

Ginmonkeyagain · 19/12/2023 15:38

Hmmm. I have either used Cerazette or Cerelle and not issues. I have just been given Zeletta this time. Will keep an eye out for any odd symptoms. No issues so far but I am only 5 days in to the first pack.

Original poster
PoptartPoptart · 22/12/2023 23:06

Just an update.. I convinced my GP to prescribe Cerazette. After just 4 days of taking it the bleeding stopped (after bleeding continuously for weeks on desogestrol). Thanks all!

OP posts:
Sarahr303 · 14/01/2024 19:01

Cerazette was perfect for me. Got swapped to the generic meds and I was fine to do that as I assumed it would be exactly the same. It wasn’t. I developed cystic acne on my face and body. Golf ball size lumps on my face. I stopped taking it and swapped back to cerazette. I now buy it through an online pharmacy as nhs reluctant to prescribe due to cost. It’s worth paying got though in my opinion

Sugarfish · 14/01/2024 19:27

I buy Cerazette online from Superdrug now after the nurse at my surgery kept giving me non branded which gave me terrible mood swings and low mood. They kept saying Cerazette was out of stock but funnily enough it’s always available from Superdrug

Truetoonneself · 14/05/2024 23:31

PoptartPoptart · 01/12/2023 08:46

The branded pill Cerazette and the generic version Desogestrel contain the same ingredients.
So how come my periods stop completely on Cerazette but I bleed pretty much constantly when I take the non branded version of Desogestrel?
My doctor doesn’t believe me and won’t prescribe Cerazette as she says the two are exactly the same (and Cerazette costs the NHS more to prescribe apparently).
Has anyone else experienced a difference like this? I feel like I’m going mad!

Hi please don’t think your going mad I’ve and am experiencing the same thing.
all contraception contains the same thing but it’s how it enters our body is the difference. I was on the depo injection for over 20 years got put on cerazette I lost it got put back in the depo and at 46 I actually learned what contraceptions do I wasn’t allowed the depo every 8 weeks because it helped my mental health but I didn’t need it as a contraception and my nurse told me the depo helped me because it pumped progesterone round my body other forms of contraception pump progesterone round the body in different ways.
women really need to understand what their contraception does the change in mine has nearly taken my life 😢

Killinginthenimya · 16/05/2024 13:55

Truetoonneself · 14/05/2024 23:31

Hi please don’t think your going mad I’ve and am experiencing the same thing.
all contraception contains the same thing but it’s how it enters our body is the difference. I was on the depo injection for over 20 years got put on cerazette I lost it got put back in the depo and at 46 I actually learned what contraceptions do I wasn’t allowed the depo every 8 weeks because it helped my mental health but I didn’t need it as a contraception and my nurse told me the depo helped me because it pumped progesterone round my body other forms of contraception pump progesterone round the body in different ways.
women really need to understand what their contraception does the change in mine has nearly taken my life 😢

Show quote history

My cons advised There is slightly higher active ingredient in cerazette than generic.
i was extremely ill ( had to be seen via 2WW) turns out it was side effects of cerelle.
consultant was advised i was never to be taken off cerazette for generic.
as although the others work, cerazette
has higher amount which was why i was bleeding and ill.
Im fine of the injection, its pita having time off work for it.

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