Zelleta (Desogestrel) Mini Pill

Zelleta contains desogestrel 75 microgram, the same active ingredient found in Cerazette, Cerelle, Feanolla, and Lovima. It's a progestogen-only pill (POP), often called the "mini pill", and it contains no oestrogen. Unlike older-style progestogen-only pills, which work mainly by thickening cervical mucus, desogestrel-based pills such as Zelleta usually also stop ovulation from happening, which makes them a more reliable option when taken correctly, with effectiveness broadly comparable to the combined pill.

Dosage: Zelleta is taken continuously, one tablet every day at the same time, with no pill-free break between packs, unlike combined pills. Because it usually stops ovulation, Zelleta has a 12-hour missed-pill window rather than the stricter 3-hour window that applies to older-style progestogen-only pills, which can be a practical advantage for anyone who finds strict timing difficult to maintain.

Zelleta is often particularly suitable for women who can't or would prefer not to take oestrogen, including those who are breastfeeding, who smoke, who experience migraine with aura, or who have a higher BMI where combined pills can carry more risk.

The most commonly reported side effect is a change in bleeding pattern, especially during the first few months of use. Some women have infrequent or no bleeding at all, while others notice more frequent spotting. Other possible effects include headache, breast tenderness, mood changes, and acne.

Zelleta's effect on fertility is not long-lasting: ovulation can resume within a few weeks of stopping the pill, so it's worth starting an alternative method straight away if a pregnancy isn't being planned.

A pharmacist's note: certain medicines can reduce how well Zelleta works, including some anti-epileptic treatments, St John's Wort, and some HIV medicines, so it's worth checking with a pharmacist about any other medication you take. Vomiting or severe diarrhoea within three to four hours of taking a dose can also reduce its effectiveness, and should be treated in the same way as a missed pill.

How it compares to alternatives: for women who can take oestrogen, combined pills such as Yasmin or Rigevidon remain an option, but Zelleta offers an oestrogen-free alternative for those who can't or would prefer not to use one. Zelleta shares its active ingredient with Cerazette and Cerelle: these are different brand options of the same desogestrel-based medicine rather than competing treatments, and a prescriber can advise on which brand suits you best.

For a fuller look at how Zelleta compares with other mini pills and detailed missed-pill guidance, see our Zelleta Mini Pill health guide.