Drugs Channel
Topics & Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Cesia
Cesia is a prescription drug that is used to prevent pregnancy. It comes in tablet form and is taken once a day. While most women tolerate the drug well, side effects may include nausea, headaches, and breast tenderness. Cesia is a combined oral contraceptive, which means that it contains two different types of hormones -- an estrogen and a progestin.
Cesia™ (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol) is a prescription birth control pill (technically known as an oral contraceptive). It is a generic version of the birth control pill called Cyclessa®. Technically, it is an "authorized generic" version, which means that it is exactly the same as Cyclessa in every way (even made by the same manufacturer), although it is sold under a generic label.
(Click What Is Cesia Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Cesia. However, not everyone who uses the contraceptive will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of Cesia include but are not limited to:
- Headaches
- Breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods
- Nausea or vomiting
- Breast tenderness.
(Click Side Effects of Cesia to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD