Drug name
Alesse (Levonorgestrel/ Ethinyl Estradiol)
Drug Instructions
Alesse represents a progestin (levonorgestrel) and estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) mixure birth control pill which is used to prevent pregnancy.
Intake instructions
Please use Alesse as mixture by your health care provider.
Make sure to take Alesse by mouth with food to reduce stomach irritation.
Start taking Alesse on the first Sunday following the start of your period, except the case your doctor prescribed you oterwise. In case your period begins on a Sunday, begin taking Alesse on that very day. Make an attempt to take Alesse at fixed times every day, and not more than 24 hours of period between. After you have taken the last pill in the pack, please take the first pill from a new pack the very next day.
If you want Alesse to be most effective you should intake that every day.
The prescribed doses should not be skipped. Please inform your health care provider for more clarifications and in – depth information on medicine use.
Drug Class and Mechanism
Alesse works by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary) and causing changes in the mucus of the cervix which make it difficult for sperm to penetrate and for an egg to implant. This medication may also be used to treat acne in women 14 years of age and older or to regulate the menstrual cycle.
Missed Dose
Should you miss a dose of this medicine please take it asap. If you find you have missed the previous dosage please see the additional patient information leaflet that comes with Alesse or consult your health care provider for further instructions. It may be possible that you need to use an extra form of family planning (e.g., condoms). If you are not certain about how to arrange missed doses of Alesse, please kindly use an extra form of birth control (e.g., condoms) until you inform your doctor on the matter.
Storage
The best conditions to keep the medicine at are to store them room temperature 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). The container where the medicine is stored should be tightly closed. It should be also strictly protected from moisture, heat and light. Keep the medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Safety Precautions
Taking the medicine is not recommended in case:
you show allergic reactions to any component in Alesse;
pregnant or planning to become
you have are confined to a bed after the surgery for an protracted period of time.
Please consult with your health care provider immediately if any of these safety tips are applicable to you.
Crucial information:
Alesse may cause giddiness. This effect may worsen in case you intake it with alcohol or certain categories of medicines. Please intake Alesse with caution.
Do not drive, use machinery, or do any actions which require mental alertness until you certainly inform how this medicine may affect you.
Follow your doctor's instructions carefully for probes on your own breasts, as well as report any lumps asap.
If you plan or scheduled for surgery, please inform your health care provider 3 to 4 weeks ahead of time. Special safety tips can be in need of intaken in these circumstances while taking Alesse.
Alesse van cause dark skin patches on your face. Exposure to the sun can make the mentioned patches darker. If patches grow in size, please use a sunscreen or protected clothing when defenceless to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths.
Using Alesse is not a means for protection against HIV contagion it won’t also help you to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Bleeding or spot formation may occur while taking Alesse. Please do not stop taking Alesse if you observe this. In case bleeding or spot formation persists for more than 7 days or is heavy, please consult your doctor immediately.
Alesse can intercross with certain lab tests. Make sure your health care provider and lab personnel are aware you are using Alesse.
Taking some categories of antibiotics, anticonvulsants, or other medicines, as listed in the interactions part, in the period you are using Alesse may lower the effectiveness of Alesse . If you want to prevent pregnancy, please make sure to use an additional form of family planning until your next period.
In case you wear contact lens and develop problems with them, please necessarily inform your health care provider.
In case you miss your period while having a week of inactive pills, please inform your physician asap. A missed period may certainly show you are pregnant.
Taking the medicine is not recommended in case:
pregnant or planning to become
breast-feeding mothers
Prevent becoming pregnant at the period you are taking the medicine. If you think you can be pregnant, please inform your health care provider immidiately. Alesse is explored in breast milk. Thus avoid breast-feeding while taking Alesse.
Probable Side Effects
All medicines may be reason for side effects, thus many people may undergo none, or minor, side effects. Please discuss with your health care provider if any of the mentioned most COMMON side effects afterglow or become or causing bother:
acne; breast frailty or extension; changes in appetite; changes in sexual intercourse; changes in weight; giddiness; hair loss; headache; aversion; stomach cramps or swelling; uncommon spotting or bleeding; emesis.
Please make sure to see your health care provider if any of these austere side effects occur:
severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; hard breathing; tenseness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); breast disburden; breast lumps; calf/leg pain, tumor, or tenderness; change in amount of urine performed; change in vaginal secretions; vision or speech problems; coughing of blood; shattering chest pain or severity in the chest; dark-colored urine; state of being depressant; troubles in sleeping; problems in wearing contact lenses; fainting; fluid withholding (swelling of the fingers and ankles); low level of energy; light-colored bowel movements; / mood changes; missed period; stupor of an arm or leg; one-sided sickness; continuos headache or migraines; continuos or relapsing abnormal vaginal bleeding; continuos or severe giddiness; severe pain or frailty in the stomach; unexpected partial or complete loss of vision; sudden uncommon headache or emesis; hard breathing; fatigue; vaginal irritation or discharge; fragility; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Extra Information
An important note: This medicine is for you only. Sharing this medicine with others is not recommended.
Please necessarily visit your doctor in case you do not observe improvement in several days.