Cilest

What is Cilest?

Cilest is a combined hormonal contraceptive pill which contains two hormones progestogen and oestrogen in low doses. Cilest is primarily used to prevent unwanted pregnancy and is also helpful in problems like:

• Irregular and heavy periods
• Reducing the chances of the ovary and uterine cancer
• Pre-menstrual symptoms

The contraceptive Clilque contains two types of female sex hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. These hormones prevent an egg being released from your ovaries so you can’t get pregnant.Also, Cilique makes the fluid (mucus) in your cervix thicker which makes it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb. Cilique is a 21-day Pill - you take one each day for 21 days, followed by 7 days when you take no pills.

Cilest is available in 350/50 microgram (norgestimate, ethinylestradiol) tablets.

Prescription Doctor's private online prescription service makes it quick and easy to get a prescription for Cilest online. Simply complete our free online consultation for our doctor to review. If your order is approved by our doctor, a prescription will be issued for our UK based pharmacy to fulfil. All medicines on our website are approved by the MHRA and are dispatched from a GPhC pharmacy via a next-day discreet delivery.

How does Cilest work?

Cilest contains two hormones, norgestimate and ethinylestradiol, which work in the same way as the naturally occuring female sex hormones; progestogen and oestrogen respectively.

These hormones stop the monthly process of ovulation from ovaries by inhibiting the ripening and release of the egg. Cilest also thickens the mucus present in the cervix and makes it difficult for sperm to traverse across it and reach the egg in the womb. Another way in which Cilest prevents the chances of pregnancy is to change the lining of the uterus and makes it less conducive for the fertilised eggs to implant in it.

How should I take Cilest?

To prevent pregnancy, Cilest should be taken according to instructions provided.

Swallow each tablet whole with a glass of water.

Cilest can be taken with or without food. However, do not drink grapefruit juice while taking Cilest.

Do not crush or chew the tablets.

Taking the pills for 21 days

Cilest comes in a strip containing 21 tablets, each marked with the name of the day on it. Start taking the pills with the correct day name and then follow the directions of arrows printed on the strip. Take the pill for the next 21 consecutive days without a break.

Pill-free week

Once you have taken 21 tablets regularly for 21 days, now have a break on one week called pill-free week. As the name indicates, you will not take any pill during this week, but you will be protected against conception. There will be a withdrawal bleed similar to your periods during this week. On the 8th day, you must start the new pack of 21 pills, irrespective whether your bleeding has stopped or not.

If you are taking the pills regularly, you will always start a new pack on the same day of the week.

Taking Cilest for the first time

If you are taking Cilest for the first time, begin taking tablets from the 1st day of your period. When taken in this way, you will be protected straight away against unwanted pregnancy.

If you start taking Cilest from any other day of your period, you should use additional contraceptive methods like condoms, unless you have taken seven tablets of Cilest regularly.

Switching from another hormonal contraceptive

Ask your family planning nurse or doctor for proper instructions or see the leaflet inside the pack.

Side effects of Cilest

All medications carry the risk of side effects, though not everybody gets them. Understanding the risks associated with your medicine is important during your course of treatment with Cilest.

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

• Headache
• Painful or abnormal periods
• Stomach ache

Common (may affect moe than 1 in 100 people):

• Migraine
• Feeling dizzy or weak
• Wight gain
• Depression
• Mood changes, feeling nervous or difficulty sleeping
• Gynaecological problems
• Vaginal infections
• Discharge from the vagina
• No periods
• Urinary tract infections
• Tender breasts
• Stomach problems
• Swelling of the hands and feet
• Skin problems
• Muscle spasms
• Pain in the hands, arms, legs or back

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. Further information regarding the safety of this medicine, including a thorough list of side effects, can be found within the patient information leaflet supplied with the medicine.

Alternatively, you can view the patient information leaflet for Cilest online.

If you experience any side effects, whether they are listed above or in the patient information leaflet, inform your doctor or ask a pharmacist for assistance.

Allergies

Do not take Cilest if you are allergic to norgestimate, ethinylestradiol or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.

If you experience the signs of an allergic reaction, stop taking Cilest and speak to a doctor as soon as possible.

Signs of allergic reaction include:

• Dry, red, cracked skin
• Itchy, red watery eyes
• Raised, itchy, red rash (hives)
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, eyes or face
• Tightness of the chest
• Tummy pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not take Cilest if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you become pregnant while taking Cilest, stop taking the medicine and speak to your doctor.

Other safety information

Always read the patient information leaflet enclosed with your pill before you start taking Cilest.

Please inform our doctor of all medications you are currently taking, whether they were bought over-the-counter or prescribed by your doctor, including health supplements.

Do not take Cilest past the expiry date printed on the packaging. The date refers to the last day of the specified month.

Never throw away medicine via household or water waste. Take any unwanted or expired medication to your local pharmacy and ask them to dispose of it safely on your behalf.

Always store medicine out of sight and reach from children and pets.

Never share your medication with anyone else, even if they are experiencing the same symptoms as you.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I forget to take Cilest?

If you miss a pill and remember to take it within 12 hours, you are still protected against pregnancy.

If you have missed one pill for more than 24 hours or have missed more than one pill, then your contraception may have been compromised. Immediately take the missed pill as soon as you remember. In case of more than one pill take the last missed pill even if you have to take two pills at a time. Forget about the previous tablets and leave them in the pack.

If you have missed the pill from the starting or the last week of the strip, you are no longer protected against pregnancy. You should use condoms while having sex for the next seven days or until you have taken pills for the next seven days in a row.

If your pack ends without completing seven pills following the missed pill, start a new pack without having a pill-free week. You will not have your periodic bleeding in these days. But you should expect to have your regular period in the pill-free week after completing the second pack.

If you suffer from severe diarrhoea or vomiting within 4 hours of taking the pill, it is advisable to retake the pill. The absorption of medicine can be reduced when you are observing such problems.

What should I do if I take too many Cilest pills?

If you accidentally take more Cilest than you should, it is unlikely to harm you. If you are at all concerned, speak to your doctor or a pharmacist for advice.

Does Cilest affect my ability to drive?

Cilest should not affect driving or ability to operate machines. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness after taking Cilest, do not drive or operate machinery until you feel well enough to do so.

Can I take Alcohol while taking Cilest?

While alcohol is unlikely to interfere with the effectiveness of Cilest, excessive alcohol consumption may cause vomiting and diarrhoea which may reduce the effectiveness of the pill if these effects occur within 4 hours of taking Cilest.

Alcohol consumption may exacerbate side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness. For these reasons, you should limit or avoid alcohol consumption while taking Cilest.

Does Cilest cause weight gain?

Weight gain is a reported side effect of Cilest, though this is likely caused by fluid retention as a result of an increase of oestrogen. If you are concerned about any of the side effects associated with Cilest, speak to a doctor or pharmacist.

Can I buy Cilest birth control pills online?

You can order Cilest online from Prescription Doctor. If you cannot get to your doctors to renew your prescription, our online service makes it easy to get a prescription from a doctor and have your medicine delivered straight to your door. All our medicines are approved by the MHRA and dispatched from a GPhC registered pharmacy via a next-day discreet service, providing complete privacy when ordering medication online.

Table of contents

What is Cilest?

How does Cilest work?

How should I take Cilest?

Side effects of Cilest

Frequently asked questions

Additional resources

What's the difference between the combined contraceptive pill and the mini pill?