Чарозетта

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Чарозетта

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Treatment option: Birth Control

Medically reviewed

Rosario Oropesa

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Чарозетта

What is Чарозетта? (Cerazette)

Property Description
Active Ingredient Desogestrel
Form Film-coated tablets
Pharmacological Class Progestogens (Hormonal contraceptives for systemic use)
Primary Purpose Contraception (Prevention of pregnancy)
Origin Synthetic, Third-generation progestin

Чарозетта: Definition, Class, and Active Component

Чарозетта is a specific medicinal product for oral administration, classified as a Progestogen-only pill (POP), or mini-pill, designed exclusively for contraception. The medicine is a monosemic preparation, delivered as a film-coated tablet, containing the synthetic hormone Desogestrel as its sole active ingredient. It is classified under the therapeutic area of hormonal contraceptives for systemic use, which defines its primary role in birth control.

This product’s distinguishing feature is the total exclusion of the estrogen component. This feature makes it particularly suitable for a specific patient group that requires estrogen avoidance, such as women who are breastfeeding or those with certain medical conditions. The primary role of Чарозетта is to provide a method for the prevention of pregnancy by systematically influencing the reproductive cycle.


The Nature of Desogestrel and its Mechanism

The active substance, Desogestrel, is a synthetic progestin classified as a third-generation compound. Desogestrel functions as a prodrug, meaning it is inactive until it undergoes conversion in the body to its primary active metabolite, Etonogestrel, which performs the therapeutic action. A defining characteristic of Desogestrel among POPs is its ability to consistently inhibit ovulation, a mechanism for preventing pregnancy.

In addition to stopping the release of an egg, the active metabolite increases the viscosity of cervical mucus, creating a physical barrier against sperm. Simultaneously, it induces changes in the endometrial lining to further discourage implantation. This combination of effects provides contraception, ensuring the prevention of pregnancy.

Regulatory References

  1. prodrug

What side effects are possible with Чарозетта?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile for Desogestrel (Чарозетта) is derived from official regulatory documentation, which classifies potential adverse reactions by frequency and physiological system. This information is non-instructional and strictly details the officially observed safety characteristics.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

The official labeling organizes adverse events into specific frequency categories, which establish the expected occurrence rate:

  • Very Common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people): Headache, irregular bleeding, and amenorrhea (absence of menstrual bleeding).
  • Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): Mood changes, decreased libido, dizziness, nausea, acne, breast pain, fatigue, weight increase, and vaginal infection.
  • Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): Vomiting, alopecia (hair loss), dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), and contact lens intolerance.

Serious Safety Considerations

The regulatory warnings note potential associations with serious conditions, consistent with the safety profile of hormonal contraceptives. These include a documented risk of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) and Arterial Thromboembolism. Furthermore, the official prescribing information addresses the potential for hepatic tumors and the serious risk of Ectopic Pregnancy.

Safety-Related Constraints and Patterns

The official safety information outlines specific conditions that necessitate caution or restrict use. The medicine is contraindicated in individuals with severe hepatic disease and a history of thromboembolic disorders. Specific monitoring is required for women with Diabetes Mellitus. Irregular bleeding and amenorrhea are recognized as very common physiological changes that may develop or persist during the course of treatment.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose Scope: Officially Documented Manifestations

Domain Official Regulatory Statement
Documented overdose presentations Overdose of this progestogen-only contraceptive is officially documented to present with symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. The occurrence of slight vaginal withdrawal bleeding is also a documented clinical manifestation.
Physiological systems affected The documented signs relate primarily to the gastrointestinal and reproductive systems.
Population-specific overdose notes Overdosage in young girls may specifically cause slight withdrawal bleeding, as noted in official prescribing information.
Emergency-response statements Regulator-aligned guidance mandates the need to seek medical help right away or contact a poison control center for any suspected overdose.
When immediate medical help is required Urgent medical attention is required when any overdose is confirmed or suspected, as per standard regulatory instruction.

Overdose Classifications (High-Level)

Classification Official Regulatory Statement
Severity classification Regulatory sources explicitly state that no serious harmful effects have been reported to occur following an overdose of desogestrel. The overdose is generally considered not likely to be life-threatening.
Antidote Status No specific antidote is known for desogestrel overdose. Management is limited to symptomatic and supportive treatment.

Resulting Overdose Structure

The official overdose profile is defined by the fact that while transient clinical manifestations such as nausea and vomiting are documented, regulatory authorities confirm the absence of serious harmful effects. Due to this low systemic risk, treatment is confined to providing symptomatic and supportive treatment, as no specific antidote exists. However, standard regulatory protocols universally require that an individual seek medical help right away or contact emergency services for assessment following any confirmed or suspected overdose.

Therapeutic Uses of Чарозетта

The fundamental purpose of Чарозетта (Desogestrel) is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed in managing fertility. This is considered the main therapeutic domain. The medication is commonly used to help with the recurring monthly fertility potential and is relevant when supportive symptom management is appropriate in reproductive health.

Its use may be relevant for addressing the need for estrogen avoidance, supporting symptomatic management during the postpartum period for lactating women, and easing the symptom load related to menstrual bleeding. The medication is considered relevant when symptoms related to systemic imbalance linked to estrogen are a concern. This provides support that may help ease symptoms that interfere with daily functioning in these contexts.

“The medication is considered relevant for women seeking a hormonal method when estrogen-containing options are not suitable.”


Quick Fact: Relief for Estrogen Avoidance

The medication is considered relevant when symptoms related to systemic imbalance linked to estrogen are a concern, providing support that may assist with easing symptoms that interfere with daily functioning in these contexts.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Map: Who Can and Cannot Use Чарозетта — Official Regulatory Information


Eligibility Scope

Classification Rule Summary (Official Labeling)
Populations for whom use is allowed Women of reproductive age, especially those requiring a progestogen-only method (e.g., while breastfeeding or when oestrogens are medically inappropriate).
Populations for whom use is not recommended Prepubescent girls (before menarche) due to insufficient established safety data.
Populations for whom use is contraindicated Women with active venous thromboembolic disorder (VTE); known or suspected sex-steroid sensitive malignancies (e.g., breast cancer); undiagnosed vaginal bleeding; or severe liver disease until liver function returns to normal.
Age-related eligibility rules Approved for adults. Not indicated for post-menopausal women.
Condition-specific eligibility rules Contraindicated in severe hepatic disease. No specific restrictions are documented for renal impairment.
Pregnancy and lactation eligibility status Contraindicated during known or suspected pregnancy. Permitted for use while breastfeeding.
Eligibility-related restrictions Women with a history of chloasma gravidarum should avoid sun or UV radiation.

Eligibility Classifications (High-Level)

Classification Status Definition (Official Regulatory Documents)
Eligibility severity classification Contraindicated; Permitted; Not Recommended.
Regulatory basis Primarily European Medicines Agency (EMA) Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and corresponding national prescribing information.
Eligibility-context constraints The primary constraint is the need to avoid oestrogen-containing hormonal contraception.

Resulting Eligibility Structure

Official eligibility statements:

  • Use is contraindicated in the presence of active VTE or sex-steroid sensitive malignancies.
  • The medicine may be used by women who are breastfeeding.
  • Use is not recommended before the onset of menstruation.

Connection to the overall eligibility profile: Official regulatory documents define the eligible population by establishing absolute contraindications concerning malignancy, thromboembolic risk, and severe liver impairment. The profile is strictly limited to women of reproductive age, is prohibited during pregnancy, but is explicitly permitted during lactation. The medicine is restricted to women whose clinical profile matches the officially established safety criteria.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

The regulatory information for Чарозетта (Desogestrel) details specific pharmacokinetic interactions that affect the plasma concentrations of its active metabolite, Etonogestrel, or the clearance of co-administered substances. The primary interaction patterns are categorized by the influence on hepatic enzyme metabolism, mainly the Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) system.

Documented Interaction Patterns

Interaction Type Interacting Substances Official Outcome
Reduced Exposure (Enzyme Induction) Anticonvulsants (e.g., Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital), Anti-infectives (e.g., Rifampicin), St. John's Wort These agents increase the clearance of Etonogestrel, leading to reduced plasma concentrations and the potential for a loss of efficacy.
Increased Exposure (Enzyme Inhibition) Antifungals (e.g., Ketoconazole, Itraconazole), certain Antibiotics (e.g., Clarithromycin), Diltiazem These agents inhibit the metabolism of Etonogestrel, resulting in increased systemic exposure.
Altered Clearance of Other Medicines Ciclosporin, Lamotrigine Exposure to Ciclosporin may be increased. Exposure to Lamotrigine may be reduced.

Interaction-Related Constraints

When co-administering any agent documented as an enzyme inducer, regulatory guidelines require the use of an additional barrier contraceptive method during the concurrent use and for a period extending 28 days after discontinuation of the interacting medicine. This mandatory measure addresses the sustained risk of reduced contraceptive effectiveness caused by the altered clearance of Etonogestrel. The interaction profile strictly focuses on these documented effects and the required compensatory precautions.

Mechanism of Action

How Чарозетта Works

The drug’s action is defined by its layered mechanism, driven by the active metabolite Etonogestrel, which acts as a high-affinity Progesterone Receptor (PR) agonist, establishing three primary physiological actions.


Central Suppression of the Reproductive Cycle

This domain involves the drug's action on the central Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian (HPO) axis. Etonogestrel binds to the PR in the pituitary and hypothalamus, reinforcing the negative feedback loop that consistently suppresses the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge. This suppression arrests the final stages of follicular development, resulting in the inhibition of ovulation—the release of the egg.


Peripheral Barrier Mechanisms

This domain covers the local effects of Etonogestrel on the cervical mucus and the endometrial lining. The drug rapidly increases the viscosity of the cervical mucus, creating a dense, physical barrier that impedes sperm migration. Concurrently, it induces atrophy (thinning) in the endometrium, rendering the uterine lining structurally non-receptive to the attachment of a fertilized ovum.


Functional Constraint and Metabolic Integrity

Ovulation inhibition requires sustained, adequate plasma concentrations of Etonogestrel, which is subject to metabolic breakdown by the hepatic CYP3A4 enzyme system. Acceleration of this breakdown pathway by co-administered substances can lead to sub-therapeutic levels, resulting in a reduced capacity to sustain consistent central suppressive signaling.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Чарозетта (Desogestrel 75 mu g)

The administration of the desogestrel 75 mu g film-coated tablet follows a continuous, fixed-dose daily schedule. The medication is for oral use, and the regimen is distinct from combined pills as it involves taking active tablets every day without any hormone-free break.


Official Administration Guidelines

Instruction Detail
Route and Dose One 75 mu g desogestrel tablet is taken orally once daily.
Dosing Schedule Continuous use is required; a new pack must be started immediately the day after the previous pack is finished, without interruption.
Timing and Intake The tablet must be taken at about the same time each day, ensuring the interval between two tablets is consistently 24 hours. It can be taken with or without food, and should be swallowed whole with water.
Missed Dose Rule A 12-hour threshold is used to manage delays. If the user is less than 12 hours late, the missed tablet must be taken immediately and the next one at the usual time, maintaining protection. If the delay exceeds 12 hours, a non-hormonal barrier method must be used for the next seven consecutive days.

Procedural Context

Specific protocols guide the initiation of use. For those starting without recent hormonal use, the first tablet should be taken on the first day of menstrual bleeding for immediate protection. For those switching from other hormonal methods, or starting post-partum or post-abortion, specific procedures must be followed to avoid a gap in coverage. If vomiting occurs within 3 to 4 hours of taking the tablet, the event must be treated as a missed dose, and a new tablet taken as soon as possible.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of Studies for Чарозетта

Evidence for Use in Contraception (Prevention of Pregnancy)

The core research base for Чарозетта (desogestrel) draws upon Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), Multicenter Comparative Trials, and systematic reviews. These studies were conducted to examine the core clinical context the research examined: contraception in healthy, fertile women. Researchers studied the contraceptive efficacy outcome, measured by the Pearl Index. Trials also monitored the consistency of ovulation inhibition, a feature that researchers examined in comparison to older progestogen-only pills.

Pivotal studies also explored changes in vaginal bleeding patterns as a core outcome. Findings described patterns observed in the study groups, including instances where women reported having amenorrhea (absence of monthly bleeding) or, conversely, frequent or prolonged bleeding. A key limitation is that most pivotal trials for this class of medicine have follow-up durations that were limited to about one year.


Research in Postpartum and Lactating Women

Research has evaluated Чарозетта’s use in women who require contraception while breastfeeding. The evidence is drawn from systematic reviews that synthesize results from both non-randomized and observational studies. These studies explored if use of the pill was associated with any changes in lactation performance, such as the volume of milk produced or its composition.

Studies also monitored infant outcomes related to daily functioning, such as growth and development metrics. The research describes that most findings indicated no observed difference in the measured growth parameters of the infants studied when compared to control groups. This evidence contributes to the broader evidence landscape regarding the use of hormonal contraception during the postpartum period. However, the evidence quality varies across studies, and many are observational, meaning the certainty remains low for detailed, long-term assessments of development.


Studies for Use in Estrogen Avoidance

This medication was studied for women who are seeking hormonal contraception but have medical reasons or risk factors that make estrogen-containing options unsuitable—a group that requires estrogen avoidance. Research describes patterns that indicate the pill's utility in this context, based on study findings showing consistent ovulation suppression without the estrogen component. Studies reported that serum estradiol levels were measured and described as being reduced to a range comparable to the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.


Summary of Evidence Consistency and Gaps

The research provides insight into the patterns observed regarding contraceptive outcomes, where findings are largely consistent across trials. The most noted gap in the research relates to the issue of bleeding patterns, where reported outcomes show significant variability. Research describes that this pattern of variability is consistent across the research landscape. Limited information for long-term outcomes is a continuing gap, meaning data for continuation rates beyond the initial follow-up periods are limited compared to the initial short-term outcome data.

Key Studies & References

  1. Maintenance of ovulation inhibition with the 75-microg desogestrel-only contraceptive pill (Cerazette) after scheduled 12-h delays in tablet intake (RCT/Multicenter Study)
  2. Progestogen-only contraceptive use among breastfeeding women: a systematic review (CDC Stacks)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Чарозетта (FAQ)


Q: Is Чарозетта a microdosed drug?

The medicine is a progestogen-only pill (POP) containing 75 mu g of desogestrel. This type of medicine is often referred to by patients and clinicians as a 'mini-pill.' While regulatory documents do not define 'microdosed,' the term historically distinguishes progestogen-only pills from combined pills.


Q: Does Чарозетта take effect immediately after starting?

Official administration guidelines state that if you start taking the first tablet on Day 1 of the menstrual bleeding, immediate contraceptive protection is described as achieved. If administration begins on days 2 through 5 of the menstrual cycle, a barrier method should be used additionally for the first seven days of tablet taking.


Q: Is additional contraception needed at the start?

Yes, regulatory product information advises that if the medicine is not started on Day 1 of the menstrual cycle, an additional non-hormonal barrier method is required according to official guidelines. This supplementary method must be used for the first seven consecutive days of tablet-taking.


Q: Can Чарозетта cause weight gain?

Official regulatory documents list weight increase as a common undesirable effect associated with this medicine. This means it may affect up to 1 in 10 people who use the medication.


Q: Is it true that Чарозетта can affect mood?

Yes, official product information includes mood changes and depressed mood/depression as documented undesirable effects. Official information suggests consulting a healthcare provider in case of mood changes or depressive symptoms, including shortly after initiation of treatment.


Q: Can Чарозетта be taken while breastfeeding?

Regulatory documents state that this medicine is permitted for use while a woman is breastfeeding. A small amount of the active metabolite, etonogestrel, is known to pass into the breast milk.


Q: Do antibiotics affect the action of Чарозетта?

The official interactions list specifies that certain anti-infective medicines, particularly Rifampicin and Rifabutin, are strong enzyme inducers that can significantly reduce efficacy. For common antibiotics, no interaction reducing efficacy is typically listed, but specific warnings apply to enzyme inducers.


Q: What is the difference between Чарозетта and other desogestrel preparations?

The core component, desogestrel 75 mu g, is the same across different commercially available preparations. The primary differences between products with the same active dose relate to the commercial name, inactive ingredients, and manufacturer.


Q: Why can irregular bleeding occur with Чарозетта?

Irregular bleeding, including frequent, prolonged, or absent bleeding, is listed as a very common side effect. This is a result of the medicine's progestogenic influence on the lining of the womb (the endometrium) as part of its mechanism.


Q: How does Чарозетта affect the skin and acne?

Official product information lists acne as a common undesirable effect, meaning it may appear or worsen during use of the medicine.


Q: Is there a risk of thrombosis with Чарозетта?

Yes, the official warnings state that the medicine carries a documented risk of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). For this safety reason, the use of the medicine is contraindicated in women with an active thromboembolic disorder.


Q: Is Чарозетта suitable for women aged 40+?

The medicine is indicated for contraception in women of reproductive age. The medicine is used for women who require estrogen avoidance, which may include women in this age group who have medical reasons to avoid estrogen-containing contraceptives. No special dosage instructions are given for this age group.


Q: Are special tests needed before starting Чарозетта?

Official guidelines advise that a medical history and physical examination take place before starting the medication. Specific ongoing monitoring is noted for certain pre-existing conditions, such as Diabetes Mellitus.


Q: Why doesn't Чарозетта contain estrogen?

The medicine is specifically formulated as a progestogen-only pill (POP) to be suitable for women who have medical reasons or contraindications to estrogens. This feature makes it an option for women who are breastfeeding or those with certain cardiovascular risk factors.


Q: Does Чарозетта affect blood test results?

Official warnings state that treatment with desogestrel can lead to decreased serum levels of estradiol (an estrogen hormone). Additionally, the medicine can affect the clearance of other specific medications, such as Lamotrigine and Ciclosporin, which may be reflected in blood tests.


Q: Is there data on the use of Чарозетта in women with Diabetes Mellitus?

The official product information notes that specific monitoring is required for women with Diabetes Mellitus. However, the regulatory guidance indicates that there is no consistent evidence to show a need to alter the diabetes therapeutic regimen in women using progestogen-only pills.

How should Чарозетта be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Disposal of Cerazette (Чарозетта)

The medicine must be stored at a temperature not exceeding 30 C. To maintain its integrity, the blister pack must be kept in the original sachet to provide protection from both light and moisture.

Once the original sachet is opened for the first time, the tablets must be used within one month. The product must be stored securely out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal of any unused or expired tablets must be completed in accordance with local requirements. Regulatory information notes that the active metabolite presents an environmental risk to fish, indicating that disposal should avoid wastewater or other direct environmental release.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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