Drug Uses

Alesse is among the most effective birth control methods (reported efficiency of 99% if taken as directed). These pills contain hormones which stop the release of eggs by the ovary and do not allow the sperm to enter the uterus. With Alesse you can be absolutely sure and calm and you can fully enjoy the intimacy with your partner.

How Taken

You should start taking Alesse on the first Sunday after the beginning of your period. Take one pill a day. It may be a good idea to take the pills at a time you perform some daily activity, for example, in the morning when you get up, with a meal, or before you go to bed. If you take Alesse before you go to bed, this may help you reduce the nausea or headache caused by the hormonal ingredients of the pills. If your cycle lasts 28 days, you should take one pill a day and start a new package on the following day after the previous package is finished. The package contains seven pills that do not have active hormonal ingredients or contain iron supplements. These pills are taking during the menstruation to keep your regular 28-day cycle. If your cycle lasts 21 days, you should take one pill a day for a period of 21 days and stop taking pills for the next 7 days. Normally, you should have your menstruation in these seven days. You should continue the intake on the 8th day with a new package. It is recommended that you use a second birth control method if you take antibiotics, if you have just started using the birth control pills, or in case you miss a pill. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Warnings/Precautions

Consult your doctor before taking Alesse 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. If you suffer from any of these diseases, you may not be able to use Alesse or your dose may have to be adjusted, or you may have to be monitored regularly during the treatment. Birth control pills fall into the FDA pregnancy category X which means they can cause serious defects to a fetus. Do not use birth control pills if you are pregnant. Consult your doctor before taking Alesse if you are breast feeding, because the hormones contained by the pills may pass into breast milk or may reduce its production.

Missed Dose

Missed pills or later start of a package may lead to a pregnancy. If you miss more pills, the possibility to get pregnant in the seven days after you missed the pills is bigger. The efficiency of the drug may be reduces if you miss the pink active pills. A missed dose may cause a light bleeding or spotting. This side effect may occur even after you take the missed pills later. A double dose of the pills may cause stomach problems.

Possible Side Effects

The most common side effects are the following:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Fluid retention
- Melasma
You may also experience nausea, breast tenderness, change in appetite, headache, nervousness, depression, dizziness, loss of scalp hair, rash, vaginal infections, inflammation of the pancreas, and allergic reactions. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects bother you.

Storage

Alesse should be kept at a room temperature of 20� to 25�C (68� to 77�F). Keep the pills in their original package and away from children.

Overdose

An overdose of birth control pills may be manifested by nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness/fatigue; withdrawal bleeding. These overdose symptoms do not require a specific treatment.

More Information

Your doctor will examine you and will ask you about your medical history before they prescribe you a birth control drug. You should be reexamined by your doctor at least once a year. Inform your doctor if you have suffered from any of the conditions listed here. Do not miss appointments with your doctor because at these appointments will be determined if you have early signs of any side effects. Never give your birth control medicine to someone else. Use the pills only for the purpose they are prescribed to you. Avoid smoking because it enhances the risks of a heart attack, stroke or blood dot formation.

Disclaimer

These instructions are for your information only. Be aware that the directions don't cover all uses, medicine interactions, precautions, or unfavorable effects. These prescriptions are only informative and shouldn't be relied on for any further actions. Don't accept the instructions as directions for application for any specific complaint. We deny all responsibility for the preciseness and trustiness of the information displayed and/or any results proceeding from it inclusive of harms or undesirable consequences to people or possessions if such occur. No warranty, either expressed or referred to, is made in connection to the above information.