ALESSE DRUG INFO
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.
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