Do not use Alesse if you are pregnant or if you recently had a baby. Do not use this medication if you have a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes), a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe high blood pressure, migraine headaches, a
heart valve disorder, or a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.
You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using this medication.
Taking hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or
heart attack, especially if you smoke and are older than 35.
Some drugs can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, including vitamins, minerals and herbal products.
This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before taking birth control pills (6 weeks if you are breast-feeding). Do not use this medication if you have:
*a history of a stroke or blood clot;
*circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes);
*a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer;
*abnormal vaginal bleeding;
*liver disease or liver cancer;
*severe high blood pressure;
*severe migraine headaches;
*a
heart valve disorder; or
*a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have:
*high blood pressure,
heart disease, congestive
heart failure, angina (chest pain), or a history of
heart attack;
*high cholesterol or if you are overweight;
*a history of depression;
*gallbladder disease;
*diabetes;
*seizures or epilepsy;
*a history of irregular menstrual cycles;
*a history of fibrocystic breast disease, lumps, nodules, or an abnormal mammogram;
*uterine fibroid tumors;
*varicose veins; or
*tuberculosis.
The hormones in birth control pills can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. This medication may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not smoke while using birth control pills, especially if you are older than 35. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or
heart attack caused by birth control pills.
Birth control pills will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.
