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.
