Brand Names:
Generic Names:
- Oral contraceptive: alesse (21-day regimen)
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Oral contraceptive tablets are used to prevent pregnancy. They may also be
used to treat painful or heavy menstruation.
Carefully read the patient information pamphlet included with your
prescription container before using this product.
In order to prevent pregnancy this medication must be taken on schedule
once every 24 hours as prescribed. Taking your tablet at the same time each
day such as at bedtime or first thing in the morning may help you remember.
Never let your supply of tablets run out; always keep an extra month's
supply on hand.
It is generally recommended that an additional method of birth control be
used during the first week of the first month that you are taking oral
contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. This is as a precaution in case
tablets are missed while you are getting used to taking them.
Always have another form of birth control (such as latex condom plus
spermicide) available in case you miss doses of this medication. Missing
pills decreases the effectiveness of this medication in preventing
pregnancy. The greatest risk of pregnancy occurs when you start a pack late
or miss pills at the beginning or at the end of the first three weeks of a
cycle. Do not skip tablets even if you do not have sexual intercourse very
frequently.
Discuss with your physician what day you should start taking your birth
control medication. Take one tablet daily beginning either on day 1 of your
menstrual cycle (the day you start to menstruate), or beginning on day 5,
or on the first Sunday after your period starts. If your period starts on
Sunday, start taking the tablets that same Sunday. Use the appropriate
sticker/label on the container depending on which day you start. You will
take one tablet daily for 21 days then no tablets for 7 days according to
package instructions (3 weeks on, 1 week off). Then start a new package of
tablets.
During the first week of the first month that you are taking Alesse, an
additional method of birth control is necessary only if you start taking
Alesse after day 1 of your menstrual cycle (the day you start to
menstruate). If you do start after day 1, use an additional form of birth
control until after you have taken one tablet daily for 7 days in a row.
MISSED ONE DOSE: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you do
not remember until the next day, take the missed dose plus the regular
dose for that day (two tablets on the same day). Then continue with the
regular schedule.
MISSED TWO DOSES in a row in FIRST TWO weeks of cycle: Take two tablets a
day for each of the next two days, then continue with the regular
schedule. You must also use another birth control method if you have sex
in the 7 days after you miss the tablets in order to prevent pregnancy.
MISSED TWO DOSES in a row in THIRD week of cycle: Sunday start: Take one
tablet a day until Sunday then dispose of the rest of the package and
start a new one on that Sunday. You must use another birth control method
if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss the tablets in order to
prevent pregnancy. You may not have a period this month.
MISSED TWO DOSES in a row in THIRD week of cycle: Other than Sunday start:
Dispose of the rest of the package and start a new one that same day. You
must use another birth control method if you have sex in the 7 days after
you miss the tablets in order to prevent pregnancy. You may not have a
period this month.
MISSED THREE DOSES or more in a row: Sunday start: Take one tablet a day
until Sunday then dispose of the rest of the package and start a new one
on that Sunday. You must use another birth control method if you have sex
in the 7 days after you miss the tablets in order to prevent pregnancy.
You may not have a period this month.
MISSED THREE DOSES or more in a row: Other than Sunday start: Dispose of
the rest of the package and start a new one that same day. You must use
another birth control method if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss
the tablets in order to prevent pregnancy. You may not have a period this
month.
If you forget more than one tablet each month for two months in a row,
discuss with your physician ways to remember taking the tablets. Another
method of birth control may also be considered.
Continue taking the oral contraceptive tablets according to your schedule
even though spotting or breakthrough bleeding (light bleeding midcycle) may
occur in the first few cycles. If irregular bleeding persists discuss this
with your physician.
CHECK UPS: It is important to have regular check ups by your physician
while you are taking oral contraceptives. Your physician may wish to
examine you once or twice a year or more frequently according to your own
medical history and response to this medication. Blood pressure should be
measured and a cervical smear should be taken. You should perform breast
self examination each month.
SIDE EFFECTS caused by a blood clot occur rarely but can be very serious;
these include stroke and heart attack. If any of the following occur, get
emergency help immediately: chest pain, coughing blood, sudden shortness of
breath; pain in groin or leg (especially in calf); severe or sudden
headache; sudden changes in vision or speech; unexplained weakness or
numbness in arm or leg; severe abdominal pain.
Contact your physician if these rare side effects occur: changes in vision
or bulging eyes, major changes in vaginal bleeding, frequent or painful
urination, breast lumps or secretions, mental depression, fainting,
yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), and lumps or persistent pain in
the abdomen.
Some side effects are more common and less serious and may decrease after
the first three months of using this medication. These include acne,
abdominal bloating or cramping, nausea, mood changes, changes in appetite,
weight gain, swelling of feet and ankles, breast tenderness, skin or hair
changes and unusual tiredness. Discuss any persistent or bothersome side
effects with your physician so that treatment can be adjusted to your needs
if necessary.
SMOKING: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious adverse effects on
the heart and blood vessels from oral contraceptive use; oral contraceptive
users should not smoke.
If you have vomiting or diarrhea, the effectiveness of the oral
contraceptive tablets may be decreased. Use an additional method of birth
control as well until you can discuss this with your physician.
INTERACTIONS: Some other medications such as certain antibiotics and
anticonvulsants may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives or
produce an increase in side effects. Laboratory test results may also be
affected. Tell your physician, pharmacist and dentist that you are taking
an oral contraceptive.
Do not take this medication if you think you are pregnant. It will not stop
the pregnancy from continuing. If you miss two periods in a row, consult
your physician. If you have not been following your regular dosing schedule
or if doses have been missed, a pregnancy test may be necessary before
continuing treatment.
If you wish to become pregnant it is usually recommended that you stop
taking the oral contraceptive and delay pregnancy until at least one
spontaneous menstrual period has occurred. Discuss this with your
physician. Another method of contraception should be used in the meantime.
If you wish to take oral contraceptives while breast-feeding, discuss this
with your physician.
SURGERY: It is usually recommended that you stop taking oral contraceptives
four weeks before elective surgery as this medication increases the risks
of blood clots, stroke and heart attacks. Another form of contraception
should be used.
Oral contraceptives do not protect you against sexually transmitted
diseases including HIV/AIDS. Use of latex condoms will help reduce risk of
infection.
