Zelleta Contraceptive Pill

Buy Zelleta

Zelleta is an oral contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. It is a progestogen-only pill (POP), also known as the mini-pill.  

Like other hormonal contraceptives, it won’t protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). To protect yourself from both STDs and pregnancy, you must also use a barrier method, such as a condom. 

How Zelleta works

Zelleta contains the progestogen hormone desogestrel. It works primarily by preventing the sperm cells from entering the womb. 

It also prevents the egg cell from ripening.

Directions

Always take Zelleta exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as your doctor / Chemist4U pharmacist has told you. 

If you forget to take Zelleta or have a severe bout of sickness or diarrhoea, refer to the patient information leaflet for guidance, as you might not be fully protected against pregnancy.

Each pack contains 28 tablets. The days of the week are printed on the back of the blister strip, with arrows on the front indicating the order in which you should take the pills. Every time you start a new pack of Zelleta, take a tablet from the top row. If you start the pill on a Wednesday, you must take the tablet from the top row marked as ‘WED’. 

You should take 1 pill daily, preferably at the same time each day. 

Swallow the tablet whole with water. 

When you can start taking Zelleta

When no hormonal contraceptive has been used in the last month 

Wait for your period to start. Take the first tablet from the blister strip on the first day of your period. You will not need to take extra contraceptive precautions. 

You can also start taking Zelleta on days 2-5 of your cycle; however, you must use additional barrier method contraception, such as a condom, for the first 7 days. 

Changing from a combined pill, vaginal ring or transdermal patch 

You can start taking Zelleta the day after you take the last tablet from your current pill pack.

You can also start taking the tablets on the day your vaginal ring or patch is removed. 

If your pill pack also contains inactive tablets, you can start taking Zeletta the day after taking your last active tablet.

You can also start taking Zelleta the day after your ring or patch has been removed or during a placebo tablet interval of your current contraception. You will, however, need to use a barrier method of contraception for the first 7 days. 

When changing from another progestogen-only contraception method 

You can stop taking your current pill any day and start taking Zelleta straight away. You will not need to use additional contraception.

When changing from an injectable, implant or progestogen-releasing intrauterine device (IUD)

You should start taking Zelleta when your next injection is due or on the day that your implant or your IUD is removed. You will not need to use additional contraception. 

After having a baby 

You can start taking Zelleta between 21 and 28 days after you have given birth. If you start taking it later, make sure to use a barrier method of contraception for the first 7 days. 

If you have already had unprotected sex, you must ensure that you are not pregnant before taking Zelleta.

After a miscarriage or an abortion 

You must ask your doctor for advice, who will tell you when to start taking Zelleta. 

Side effects

Zelleta may cause side effects in some people, but these won’t affect everybody. Common side effects include: 

• Decreased sex drive (libido)
• Depressive mood 
• Change of mood
• Acne 
• Headaches 
• Nausea 
• Breast pain
• Weight gain
• Irregular or no periods

If you experience any side effects, including any not included in the patient information leaflet, you can report them using the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

Serious side effects

Seek emergency medical attention if you notice any signs of a severe allergic reaction, symptoms of which include swelling of the face and throat, skin rash, breathing difficulties and/or loss of consciousness.

If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking Zelleta and seek medical advice immediately:

• Severe pain or swelling in your legs, unexplained pains in your chest, breathlessness, an unusual cough, coughing up blood (symptoms of thrombosis)
• Sudden severe stomach ache or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Sudden, severe pain in the lower abdomen or stomach area 
• A lump in your breast
• Unusual, heavy vaginal bleeding

Breast cancer has been found slightly more often in women who take the pill compared to those who don’t. When you stop taking the pill, the risk will gradually decrease.

The risk of developing a blood clot in the legs or lungs is slightly higher in women taking the pill, although this is rare. The risk with progestogen-only pills is believed to be lower in comparison to women taking the combined pill, which also includes oestrogen hormones. 

Warnings

Zelleta may be unsuitable for certain people. Do not take these tablets if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or if:

• You have currently got thrombosis, which is the formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel e.g. pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• You have or have ever had jaundice 
• You have or have ever had severe liver disease and your liver is still not functioning properly
• You have or are suspected to have cancer that is sensitive to sex steroids e.g. breast cancer
• You have unexplained vaginal bleeding 

Talk to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product if: 

• You have ever had breast cancer 
• You have liver cancer
• You have ever had thrombosis 
• You have diabetes
• You have epilepsy
• You have tuberculosis 
• You have high blood pressure
• You have or have ever had chloasma 

Using/taking other medicines

If you are taking or have recently taken any medication, including medication obtained without a prescription, talk to your GP or pharmacist before taking this product.

Some medicines can interfere with Zelleta, such as:

• Epilepsy medication e.g. primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, felbamate, topiramate and phenobarbital
• Tuberculosis medication e.g. rifampicin and rifabutin
• HIV medications e.g. ritonavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine and efavirenz
• Hepititis C medications e.g. boceprevir and telaprevir
• Medicines for other infectious diseases e.g. griseofulvin
• Medicines for high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs
• Medication for certain bacterial infections e.g. clarithromycin and erythromycin
• Medication for fungal infections e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole
• Medical charcoal 
• St John’s wort
• Medication for high blood pressure, angina or heart rhythm disorders e.g. diltiazem  

Age restrictions 

We are unable to prescribe this product from our clinic to anyone under the age of 18.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not take Zelleta if you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, you must ask your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist for advice before taking any new product.

Storage information

Store in a cool, dry place out of sight and reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date, referring to the last day of the month stated on the packaging. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.

Important information

Make sure to speak to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist if this product is right for you.

Store out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before taking this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.