Cerazet in Spain: Desogestrel Mini-Pill Explained
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
Cerazet is desogestrel, a progestogen-only pill that needs a prescription in Spain. Who it suits, UK names, bleeding changes and medicines that interact.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is an independent, bilingual GP licensed in Spain. Book a 15-minute video consultation in English or Spanish for €50, with a private electronic prescription issued under Spanish law when clinically appropriate.
Cerazet is the Spanish brand of desogestrel, a progestogen-only pill. It prevents pregnancy mainly by stopping the release of an egg each month. It has no oestrogen, so it can suit people who should not take the combined pill. In Spain it needs a prescription. In the UK the same pill is called Cerazette.
- Cerazet holds desogestrel only. It is a contraceptive pill with no oestrogen.
- It is prescription-only in Spain. A foreign prescription is not accepted at the pharmacy.
- There is no week off between packs. The leaflet sets the daily routine.
- Irregular bleeding is common and does not mean it has stopped working.
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).
For a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest local emergency department. Do not wait for a video consultation or an online reply.
What is Cerazet and how does it prevent pregnancy?
Cerazet is a pill made by Organon. Each tablet holds a small amount of desogestrel, a man-made form of the hormone progesterone. It is often called the mini-pill or POP.
Older mini-pills work mainly by making the mucus at the neck of the womb thicker. This keeps sperm out. Desogestrel does this too, but in most cases it also stops an egg from being released. The leaflet says this is why it works so well.
Each strip has 28 tablets, and there is no week off between strips. The leaflet explains how to start and what time of day to keep to.
Who is a progestogen-only pill a good fit for?
It has no oestrogen. So a doctor may suggest desogestrel when the combined pill is not a safe choice. Common reasons are:
- Breastfeeding. The leaflet says Cerazet can be used while breastfeeding. Ask your doctor first.
- Migraine with aura (warning signs such as flashing lights before the headache). Oestrogen pills are not advised with it.
- Smokers over 35, and people with a high risk of blood clots, where oestrogen adds risk.
- High blood pressure or other heart risks that rule out the combined pill.
The leaflet says there is less data for people under 18. A doctor looks at your own health before suggesting any method.
Cerazet, Cerazette and other desogestrel brands
Desogestrel only pills are sold under many names. The ingredient is what matters, so bring the box when you see a doctor in Spain.
| Name | What it is | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Cerazet | Desogestrel only (Organon) | Spain (prescription) |
| Azalia, Desopop, Kerizet, Aiacet | Desogestrel only generics | Spain (prescription) |
| Cerazette, Cerelle | Desogestrel only | UK (prescription) |
| Hana, Lovima | Desogestrel only | UK (pharmacy sale after a talk with the pharmacist) |
| Not sold | No desogestrel only pill is listed in the US | US |
Be careful with names that sound alike. Some Spanish pills, such as Microdiol or Suavuret, mix desogestrel with an oestrogen. They are combined pills, not the same as Cerazet.
Do you need a prescription for Cerazet in Spain?
Yes. The AEMPS CIMA database lists Cerazet, and every other desogestrel pill sold in Spain, as needing a prescription. The UK is different. There, Hana and Lovima can be bought from a pharmacy after a talk with the pharmacist.
A Spanish pharmacy will not accept a prescription from another country. A GP in Spain, a family planning clinic or a gynaecologist can write one. Our guide to birth control prescriptions in Spain explains the steps.
Running low on your mini-pill, or not sure which Spanish brand matches yours?
You can book a video visit with a GP licensed in Spain, in English or Spanish. Bring your box, and he checks your health and the right equivalent.
What if you miss a pill, are sick or have diarrhoea?
Keep to the same time each day. If you forget a pill, the leaflet explains what to do. It also says when you need extra protection, such as condoms. Being sick soon after a pill, or having bad diarrhoea, can count as a missed pill too. If you are not sure, ask a pharmacist or doctor.
If you had sex without protection and think the pill may have failed, emergency contraception can help. Our morning-after pill guide explains how to get it in Spain without a prescription.
Which medicines can stop Cerazet from working?
Some medicines lower the level of desogestrel in the blood. The leaflet lists:
- Some epilepsy medicines, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, topiramate and phenobarbital.
- Rifampicin and rifabutin, used for tuberculosis.
- Some HIV medicines and griseofulvin, an antifungal.
- St John's wort, a herbal remedy.
The effect can last for weeks after you stop the other medicine. Cerazet can also lower the effect of lamotrigine. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist that you take the pill.
What Cerazet does not do
- It does not protect against STIs, such as HIV or chlamydia. Use condoms for that.
- It is not emergency contraception. Starting it after sex does not stop a pregnancy that may already have begun.
- It does not give a regular monthly bleed. If you want a set pattern, talk about other methods.
Our contraception page explains the options a doctor can talk through with you.
Side effects and warning signs
A change in bleeding is the most common effect. You may spot, bleed often, bleed less or have no bleeding at all. This does not mean the pill has stopped working. The leaflet also lists mood changes, headache, acne, sore breasts, nausea and weight gain as common.
See a doctor soon if:
- Bleeding is heavy or goes on for a long time.
- You feel low or your mood changes. The leaflet says to get help early.
- You find a breast lump, or your skin or eyes turn yellow.
- You think you may be pregnant.
Call 112 for sudden, severe pain low in the belly. It can be a pregnancy outside the womb. Also call 112 for a painful, swollen leg with chest pain or breathlessness. The same goes for a swollen face, lips or throat.
Talking it through with a doctor by video
Dr. Yelamo is a GP licensed in Spain. He sees adults, children and pregnant patients by video, every day from 07:30 to 20:30 (Spain time). In the visit he will:
- Ask which pill you take now and look at the box you bring.
- Check your blood pressure readings, migraines, smoking and any clot history.
- Explain whether desogestrel, a combined pill or another method suits you.
- Go over your other medicines that could make the pill less reliable.
He does not promise any test or prescription before the visit. Where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation. Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion based on evidence-based clinical guidelines.
A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.
See how the Urgent Care video visit works. It lasts 15 minutes and costs €50.
This guide is general information. It does not replace the package leaflet or the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cerazet?
A progestogen-only pill made by Organon. Each tablet holds desogestrel and no oestrogen. It is sold in Spain to prevent pregnancy.
Is Cerazet the same as Cerazette in the UK?
Yes, it is the same medicine: desogestrel on its own. In the UK it is sold as Cerazette, and also as Cerelle, Hana and Lovima.
Do I need a prescription for Cerazet in Spain?
Yes. CIMA lists Cerazet and every Spanish desogestrel pill as prescription-only. A UK or other foreign prescription is not accepted at a Spanish pharmacy.
Can I take Cerazet while breastfeeding?
The leaflet says it can be used while breastfeeding. It does not seem to change the amount or quality of milk. Talk to your doctor before you start.
Is irregular bleeding on Cerazet normal?
Yes, it is common. You may spot, bleed often or have no bleeding at all. It does not mean the pill has stopped working. See a doctor if bleeding is heavy or long.
Does Cerazet protect against STIs?
No. It does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. Condoms are needed for that.
Sources
- AEMPS CIMA: Cerazet package leaflet
- MedlinePlus: Birth control
- GOV.UK (MHRA): Desogestrel pills from pharmacies
Related guides
Medical Citations & Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following official health authorities.
