Drug Uses
Alesse is one of the most effective methods for birth control (99%
effective when taken as directed). Alesse contains natural hormones that stop
the ovary from releasing an egg and prevent a man\'s sperm from entering the
uterus. So with Alesse you can put your mind at ease and enjoy intimate
moments with your partner.
How Taken
Take the first pill in a package on the first Sunday after your period
begins (unless otherwise directed by your doctor). Take one pill every day, no
more than 24 hours after your last dose. Try to take the pills at a time that
you will remember every day--for example just before bed, with a meal, or
first thing in the morning. Taking your pill at night may help to reduce any
nausea or headache that you may experience because of the hormones. If you are
on a 28-day cycle, take one pill every day. When the pack runs out, throw it
away. Begin a new pack the following day. The 28-day cycle contains seven
pills that are either placebos (with no active ingredients) or iron
supplements. These are "reminder" pills to keep you on your regular
cycle. They are taken while you are menstruating. If you are on a 21-day
cycle, take one pill every day for 21 days, then do not take any pills for 7
days. You should have your period during the 7 days with no pills. Resume your
pills on the 8th day with a new package. Follow your doctor\'s instructions
about using a second form of birth control when you first start taking birth
control pills, when you are taking antibiotics, or if you miss a pill. If you
are unsure what to do in any of these cases, talk to your pharmacist, nurse,
or doctor about how to ensure that you will not become pregnant.
Warnings/Precautions
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have high blood
pressure, angina, or heart disease; have had a stroke; have a bleeding or
blood-clotting disorder; have breast, uterine, or another hormone-related
cancer; have liver disease or a history of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and
eyes) caused by use of birth control in the past; have undiagnosed, abnormal
vaginal bleeding; have migraines; have asthma; or have seizures or epilepsy.
You may not be able to take birth control pills, or you may require a lower
dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions
listed above. Birth control pills are in the FDA pregnancy category X. This
means that birth control pills will cause birth defects in an unborn baby.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can have very serious negative effects on a
developing baby. Do not take birth control pills if you are pregnant or if you
think you might be pregnant. The hormones in birth control pills pass into
breast milk and may decrease milk production. Do not take birth control pills
without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Missed Dose
If you miss pills you could get pregnant. This includes starting the pack
late. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to get pregnant in the
7 days after you miss pills. The pill may not be as effective if you miss pink
active pills, and particularly if you miss the first few or the last few pink
active pills in a pack. MISSING PILLS CAN ALSO CAUSE SPOTTING OR LIGHT
BLEEDING, even when you make up these missed pills. On the days you take 2
pills to make up for missed pills, you could also feel a little sick to your
stomach.
Possible Side Effects
- Vaginal bleeding
- Fluid retention
- Melasma.
Other side effects may include nausea, breast tenderness, change in appetite,
headache, nervousness, depression, dizziness, loss of scalp hair, rash,
vaginal infections, inflammation of the pancreas, and allergic reactions. If
any of these side effects bother you, call your health-care provider.
Storage
Store at controlled room temperature 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). Keep
this medication in the container it came in, and out of reach of children.
Overdose
Symptoms of oral contraceptive over dosage in adults and children may
include nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness/fatigue; withdrawal bleeding may
occur in females. There is no specific antidote and further treatment of
overdose, if necessary, is directed to the symptoms.
More Information
Your health-care provider will take a medical and family history before
prescribing oral contraceptives and will examine you. The physical examination
may be delayed to another time if you request it and the health-care provider
believes that it is appropriate to postpone it. You should be reexamined at
least once a year. Be sure to inform your health-care provider if there is a
family history of any of the conditions listed previously in this leaflet. Be
sure to keep all appointments with your health-care provider, because this is
a time to determine if there are early signs of side effects of
oral-contraceptive use. Do not use the drug for any condition other than the
one for which it was prescribed. This drug has been prescribed specifically
for you; do not give it to others who may want birth-control pills. Avoid
smoking. Smoking greatly increases your risk of a heart attack, stroke, or
blood clot formation.
Disclaimer
This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not
intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions,
precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general
information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be
construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We
disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this
information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information,
including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such
damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is
made in regards to this information.
