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Monday, July 16, 2007

Alesse

Generic Name: ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel

Brand Names: Alesse, Aviane, Levlen, Levlite, Levora, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, Triphasil-28, Trivora

What is Alesse?

Alesse contains a combination of female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). This medication also causes changes in your cervical mucous and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.

Alesse are used as contraception to prevent pregnancy.

Alesse may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Alesse?
Do not use Alesse if you are pregnant or if you have recently had a baby. Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: 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. Follow your doctor's instructions.
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. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Alesse?
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 any of the following conditions. You may not be able to use birth control pills, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

*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.

How should I take Alesse?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. You will take your first pill on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period begins (follow your doctor's instructions).

You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using this medication. Follow your doctor's instructions.

The 28-day birth control pack contains seven "reminder" pills to keep you on your regular cycle. Your period will usually begin while you are using these reminder pills.
You may have breakthrough bleeding, especially during the first 3 months. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very heavy.

Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours apart. When the pills run out, start a new pack the following day. You may get pregnant if you do not use this medication regularly. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of pills completely.

If you need to have any type of medical tests or surgery, or if you will be on bed rest, you may need to stop using this medication for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using birth control pills.

Your doctor will need to see you on a regular basis while you are using this medication. Do not miss any appointments.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Alesse missed dose:

Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant.

If you miss one "active" pill, take two pills on the day that you remember. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack.

If you miss two "active" pills in a row in week one or two, take two pills per day for two days in a row. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack. Use back-up birth control for at least 7 days following the missed pills.

If you miss two "active" pills in a row in week three, or if you miss three pills in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one that day.

If you miss three "active" pills in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack on the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one that day.
If you miss two or more pills, you may not have a period during the month. If you miss a period for two months in a row, call your doctor because you might be pregnant.

If you miss any reminder pills, throw them away and keep taking one pill per day until the pack is empty. You do not need back-up birth control if you miss a reminder pill.

Alesse overdose:

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.

What should I avoid while taking Alesse?
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.

Alesse side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

*sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
*sudden headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
* chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
* a change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches;
* nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
*swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; or
*symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes).

Continue using the medication and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

*mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps;
*breast pain, tenderness, or swelling;
*freckles or darkening of facial skin;
*increased hair growth, loss of scalp hair;
*changes in weight or appetite;
*problems with contact lenses;
*vaginal itching or discharge;
*changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive; or
*headache, nervousness, dizziness, tired feeling.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Alesse?

Some drugs can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before using birth control pills, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

* acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
*phenylbutazone (Azolid, Butazolidin);
*prednisolone (Orapred);
*theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur);
*cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
*St. John's wort;
*antibiotics such as amoxicillin (Augmentin), ampicillin (Omnipen), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin V, Fulvicin PG), minocycline (Minocin), penicillin (Veetids, Pen Vee K, Bicillin), rifampin (Rifadin), rifabutin (Mycobutin), tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin, Robitet), and others;
*seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), topiramate (Topamax), or primidone (Mysoline);
*a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
*HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), tipranavir (Aptivus), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept).

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect birth control pills. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Alesse information:

* Your pharmacist has additional information about Alesse written for health professionals that you may read.

What does Alesse look like?

Alesse is available with a prescription under several brand names and may also be available as a generic. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Buy Alesse online, Alesse.ca, info at RxList.com

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Monday, April 23, 2007

Alesse

Prescription Alesse: Drug Uses

Alesse is one of the most effective methods for birth control (99% effective when taken as directed). Alesse contains natural hormones that stop the ovary from releasing an egg and prevent a man\'s sperm from entering the uterus. So with Alesse you can put your mind at ease and enjoy intimate moments with your partner.

Prescription Alesse: How Taken

Take the first pill in a package on the first Sunday after your period begins (unless otherwise directed by your doctor). Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours after your last dose. Try to take the pills at a time that you will remember every day--for example just before bed, with a meal, or first thing in the morning. Taking your pill at night may help to reduce any nausea or headache that you may experience because of the hormones. If you are on a 28-day cycle, take one pill every day. When the pack runs out, throw it away. Begin a new pack the following day. The 28-day cycle contains seven pills that are either placebos (with no active ingredients) or iron supplements. These are "reminder" pills to keep you on your regular cycle. They are taken while you are menstruating. If you are on a 21-day cycle, take one pill every day for 21 days, then do not take any pills for 7 days. You should have your period during the 7 days with no pills. Resume your pills on the 8th day with a new package. Follow your doctor\'s instructions about using a second form of birth control when you first start taking birth control pills, when you are taking antibiotics, or if you miss a pill. If you are unsure what to do in any of these cases, talk to your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor about how to ensure that you will not become pregnant.

Prescription Alesse: Warnings/Precautions

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor 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. You may not be able to take birth control pills, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Birth control pills are in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that birth control pills will cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can have very serious negative effects on a developing baby. Do not take birth control pills if you are pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant. The hormones in birth control pills pass into breast milk and may decrease milk production. Do not take birth control pills without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Prescription Alesse: Missed Dose

If you miss pills you could get pregnant. This includes starting the pack late. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to get pregnant in the 7 days after you miss pills. The pill may not be as effective if you miss pink active pills, and particularly if you miss the first few or the last few pink active pills in a pack. MISSING PILLS CAN ALSO CAUSE SPOTTING OR LIGHT BLEEDING, even when you make up these missed pills. On the days you take 2 pills to make up for missed pills, you could also feel a little sick to your stomach.

Prescription Alesse: Possible Side Effects

- Vaginal bleeding
- Fluid retention
- Melasma.
Other side effects may include nausea, breast tenderness, change in appetite, headache, nervousness, depression, dizziness, loss of scalp hair, rash, vaginal infections, inflammation of the pancreas, and allergic reactions. If any of these side effects bother you, call your health-care provider.

Prescription Alesse: Storage

Store at controlled room temperature 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). Keep this medication in the container it came in, and out of reach of children.

Prescription Alesse: Overdose

Symptoms of oral contraceptive over dosage in adults and children may include nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness/fatigue; withdrawal bleeding may occur in females. There is no specific antidote and further treatment of overdose, if necessary, is directed to the symptoms.

Prescription Alesse: More Information

Your health-care provider will take a medical and family history before prescribing oral contraceptives and will examine you. The physical examination may be delayed to another time if you request it and the health-care provider believes that it is appropriate to postpone it. You should be reexamined at least once a year. Be sure to inform your health-care provider if there is a family history of any of the conditions listed previously in this leaflet. Be sure to keep all appointments with your health-care provider, because this is a time to determine if there are early signs of side effects of oral-contraceptive use. Do not use the drug for any condition other than the one for which it was prescribed. This drug has been prescribed specifically for you; do not give it to others who may want birth-control pills. Avoid smoking. Smoking greatly increases your risk of a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot formation.

Buy Alesse online

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