The
following information is a summary about Alesse.
It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
Brand Names: Alesse, Aviane, Enpresse, Lessina-28,
Levlen, Levlite, Levora, Nordette, Portia, Seasonale,
Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, Trivora-28.
Alesse 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.
Alesse DIRECTIONS
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.
Alesse SIDE EFFECTS
- Vaginal bleeding
- Fluid retention
- Melasma.
Other Allesse 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.
Alesse PRECAUTIONS
Before taking Allesse, 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.
Alesse 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.
Alesse NOTES
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.
MISSED DOSE
If you miss Allesse pills you could get pregnant.
This includes starting the pack late. The more
Allesse 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 Allesse 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.
Alesse STORAGE
Store Allesse at controlled room temperature 20°
to 25°C (68° to 77°F). Keep Allesse in the container
it came in, and out of reach of children.
