Cilest is a combined oral contraceptive pill containing synthetic forms of the female hormones namely, ethinylestradiol (estrogen) and norgestimate (progesterone). When taken regularly, Cilest helps in preventing unwanted pregnancy. This medication is also prescribed to women who experience heavy, painful, or irregular periods.

Oral contraceptive pills like Cilest offer a plethora of benefits to women, such as –

• Protection against unwanted pregnancy
• Less painful, lighter, and more regular periods.
• Cilest prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg and also prevents sperm cells from entering the uterus
• This medication also increases the thickness of mucus around the neck of the womb, making it difficult for the sperm to reach inside the uterus

When taken correctly Cilest is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. If you start taking Cilest within the first five days of your period, you are immediately protected against pregnancy. If you start taking it any time later, you should use additional contraception such as condoms for at least seven days.

Cilest contains the synthetic versions of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. When taken regularly Cilest prevents the ovaries from releasing any eggs. The hormones also increase the thickness of the mucus at the neck of the womb preventing sperm cells from entering the uterus.

If you start taking Cilest within the first five days of your period, you are immediately protected against pregnancy. If you start taking it any time later, you should use additional contraception such as condoms for at least seven days.

If you want to stop taking Cilest, finish your present pack and don’t start on a new one. After you take the last tablet from the pack, you will no longer be protected from pregnancy. In your next ovulation, you should be able to conceive. Your reproductive system usually takes one or two weeks to go back to the natural menstruation cycle, in some cases this could take some more time.

You can buy Cilest online on Meds Now. Consult our doctors online to get the right prescription for your contraception needs. Meds Now deliver the medicines directly to your doorstep.

Cilest is a prescription-only medication and should be taken only after consultation with a doctor. Follow the directions as given by the doctor and take the medicine as prescribed. Here is the usual method of taking Cilest –

• Take one tablet per day, at the same time every day. Swallow the tablets whole with some water.

• Cilest pack comes marked with days of the week to help you remember to take a pill every day for 3 weeks.

• After that, you have a seven-day break from pill-taking. During this seven-day break, you are likely to experience withdrawal bleeding similar to a period.

• Start the next pack of Cilest exactly seven days from the day when you took the last pill of the previous pack. Do this even if you are still bleeding.

• On your week off from pill-taking, you are still protected from unwanted pregnancy.

The recommended dosage of Cilest is to take one tablet daily for three weeks. This is followed by a seven-day break from pill-taking. Exactly seven-days from the day you took the last pill from the previous pack, you should start a new pack of Cilest pills.

Cilest is suitable for all women over the age of puberty and lower than the age of menopause – to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. This is a prescription medicine and should be taken only after consultation with a doctor. You shouldn’t take Cilest if –

• You have had a blood clot in your legs or lungs in the past, or you have a disease that makes you susceptible to blood clots

• You are undergoing treatment for varicose veins

• You have a heart-related disease

• You have severe diabetes that may cause complications to your eyes, kidneys, or nervous system

• You experience migraines (with aura)

• You are breastfeeding or pregnant

• You have high blood pressure (hypertension)

• You are over 35 years of age and you have a habit of smoking

• You are above 50 years of age

• You are very overweight (BMI above 35)

• You have had a heart attack, angina, or stroke in the past

• You have blood disorders known as porphyrias

• You are lactose intolerant

• You have gallstones

• You have excess urea in your blood

• You have or have had breast cancer, liver cancer, or severe cirrhosis

• You have active liver disease

• You have a gall bladder disease

• You have abnormal vaginal bleeding

• You have disorders of bile excretion

Some of the most common side effects of Cilest are:

• Acne

• Tenderness in breasts

• Painful or unusual periods

• Weight gain

• Vaginal infections (thrush)

• Headache

• Bleeding or spotting (in the first few months)

• No periods

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

When taking Cilest keep your doctor’s instructions in mind and take the pill only as prescribed. Here are some precautions to follow –

• Take the pills exactly as directed by the doctor

• Do not miss any pills and take them at the same time every day

• Share all the details of your medical history and the names of any medications you are taking, with your doctor when taking a consultation about contraceptive pills.

Cilest may become ineffective upon interacting with other medicines such as –

• Griseofulvin (for fungal infections)

• Modafinil (for excessive daytime sleepiness)

• Certain sedatives (called ‘barbiturates’)

• St. John’s wort (a herbal remedy)

• Some medicines used to treat epilepsy

• Bosentan (for high blood pressure)

• Certain medicines for tuberculosis

• Anti-HIV medicines

• Treatment of hepatitis c infections

If you forget to take one pill, take the pill as soon as you remember. Then take the next pill on your regular time, even if this means taking two pills in one day or taking two pills at the same time. Then continue to take pills every day, as usual, you would be protected from pregnancy.

If you forget two or more pills, take a pill as soon as you remember. Then continue to take one pill every day at your regular time as usual. But your protection from pregnancy may be compromised. Therefore, use additional contraception such as condoms for at least seven days.

If you or anyone else has taken an overdose of Cilest, you should immediately seek medical attention. An overdose of Cilest may cause nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, dizziness, tummy pain, drowsiness, and fatigue. You should see a doctor immediately, even if you are not experiencing any discomfort or poisoning symptoms.

1. Are Cilest and Cilique the same?

Cilest and Cilique are sister pills containing the same active ingredients and work in the same way. Since 2019, Cilest has been discontinued and only Cilique is available

2. What kind of pill is Cilest?

Cilest is a combined oral contraceptive pill containing synthetic forms of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.

3. Can you take the Cilest pill back to back?

Taking two packs of Cilest back to back without a break will prevent any withdrawal bleeding, but may lead to breakthrough bleeding.