Common use
Alesse is used to prevent ovulation as a contraception medication. The drug changes condition of cervical mucus and uterine lining and hampers movement of sperm cells to the uterus and attachment of a fertilized egg to the uterus.
Dosage and direction
Follow all recommendations of your health care advisor. Take the first on the first day of your menses or on the first Sunday after your period started. If you use Alesse for the firs time you may need additional birth control means. There are 28-day birth control packs with seven 'reminder' pills for the regular cycle. While you are using 'reminder' pills the period usually begins. Breakthrough bleeding is possible, if it becomes heavy and continues, inform your doctor. Take each pill each day about the same time. When your pill pack is over start a new one. In case of needed medical tests or surgery, it is possible that you may need to stop using Alesse for a short period of time.
Precautions
Additional birth control methods (condoms or a spermicide) may be needed when you start to use Alesse.
Intake of hormones may increase the risk of blood clotting, heart attack, stroke, especially in the patients over 35 y.o. or smokers. Inform your doctor if you have problems with heart, blood pressure, congestive heart failure, angina, high cholesterol, depression in history, seizures or epilepsy, diabetes, gallbladder disease, varicose veins, tuberculosis, uterine fibroid tumors, a history of fibrocystic breast disease, nodules, lumps.
Contraindications
This medication cannot be used in pregnant women or those just after delivery, in patients with a stroke or blood clot in history, circulation problems, vaginal bleeding, hormone-related cancer, liver disease or liver cancer, circulation problems, abnormal vaginal bleeding, migraine headaches, a heart valve disorder, severe high blood pressure, jaundice caused by birth control pills in history.
Side effects
• Besides allergic symptoms (hives, skin rash, facial swelling, difficulty breathing) this medication may be a reason for sudden numbness or weakness,
• pain behind the eyes,
• problems with vision,
• headache,
• confusion,
• speech, or balance,
• a change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches,
• chest pain or heavy feeling,
• pain spreading to the arm or shoulder,
• nausea,
• sweating,
• general ill feeling,
• swelling of the extremities,
• depression,
• loss of appetite,
• nausea,
• stomach pain,
• dark urine,
• jaundice.
Drug interaction
There are drugs which can interact with Alesse. Inform your doctor about all prescribed and over-the-counter medications, herbal products and food supplements you use and especially about theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur), acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ascorbic acid (vitamin C), prednisolone (Orapred), St. John's wort, seizure medications, cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), barbiturate sedatives, HIV or AIDS medications, and antibiotics.
Missed dose
• If you missed a pill risk of becoming pregnant increases. If you forgot to take one 'active' pill, take two pills as soon as you remember then return to your schedule. If you miss two 'active' pills in a row in the first or second week of treatment, take two pills a day for two days in a row. Then return to your schedule. Use birth control test during seven days if such a 'mistake' occurred. If you miss two 'active' pills in a row during the third week, or if you miss three pills in a row during any of the first three weeks, you need to start a new pack of pills as if you are a First Day starter.
• If you did not take three 'active' pills in a row during any of the first three weeks, start a new pack on the same day as if you are a First Day starter.
• If you skipped intake of two or more pills, you may not have monthlies during this month. If you miss a period for two months in a row you might be pregnant.
• If you miss any reminder pills, throw the missed pills away and return to your schedule.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 20-25 C (68-77 F). Store away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. It is not recommended to store in a bathroom and places available for children.
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