What is Alesse Used For?
- Alesse is a combination oral contraceptive (birth control pill) containing two hormones: levonorgestrel (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen).
- It is used to:
- Prevent pregnancy.
- Treat moderate acne in women over 14 who need contraception and have started menstruating.
How Does Alesse Work?
Alesse prevents pregnancy through three mechanisms:
- Prevents Ovulation: It stops the release of an egg from the ovary during your menstrual cycle.
- Thickens Cervical Mucus: It thickens the mucus in the cervix, making it harder for sperm to enter the uterus.
- Alters Uterine Lining: It changes the lining of the uterus (endometrium), making it less suitable for a fertilized egg to implant.
Effectiveness of Alesse:
- Perfect Use: When taken correctly at the same time every day, Alesse is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
- Typical Use: With typical use (which includes missed or late pills), the effectiveness drops slightly.
- Alesse does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so condoms should be used for STI protection.
Who Should NOT Take Alesse?
Alesse should not be used if you:
- Are pregnant or suspect you are pregnant.
- Have a history of or currently have:
- Blood clots (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism).
- Heart attack, stroke, or angina.
- Liver disease or liver tumors.
- Breast cancer or estrogen-dependent cancers.
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been diagnosed.
- High blood pressure that is not controlled.
- Diabetes with complications such as vascular disease.
Warnings and Precautions:
- Smoking significantly increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you are over 35 years old. Women who use Alesse should avoid smoking.
- Alesse may increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack, particularly in women with predisposing conditions (e.g., hypertension, obesity).
- You should not take Alesse if you are currently being treated with certain antiviral medications (e.g., some Hepatitis C treatments), as it may increase liver enzyme levels.
Common Side Effects:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Irregular bleeding or spotting (especially in the first few months).
- Headache (including migraines).
- Breast tenderness or enlargement.
- Weight changes.
- Mood changes (such as depression or emotional fluctuations).
Serious Side Effects (Less Common):
- Blood clots in veins or arteries (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke).
- Heart attack or stroke.
- Liver tumors (rare, but can be serious).
- Breast cancer.
- High blood pressure or worsening of existing high blood pressure.
Missed Pill Instructions:
If you miss 1 pill:
- Take it as soon as you remember.
- Take the next pill at your regular time (this may mean taking two pills in one day).
- No backup contraception is required.
If you miss 2 or more pills (especially in the first week):
- Take the most recent missed pill as soon as you remember (even if it means taking two pills in one day).
- Continue taking the remaining pills at your usual time.
- Use backup contraception (e.g., condoms) for the next 7 days.
- If you miss 2 or more pills in the third week, skip the placebo pills and start a new pack immediately.
If you miss 3 or more pills in a row:
- Take a pill as soon as you remember.
- Use backup contraception for 7 days.
- If you had unprotected sex, consider emergency contraception.
What to Do if You Vomit or Have Diarrhea:
- If you vomit or have severe diarrhea within 4 hours of taking a pill, absorption may be incomplete.
- Take another active pill as soon as possible and continue with the regular schedule.
- Use backup contraception for 7 days after vomiting or diarrhea.
Other Important Information:
- Starting Alesse:
- You can start taking Alesse on the first day of your period for immediate protection.
- If you start on another day, use backup contraception (e.g., condoms) for the first 7 days of taking Alesse.
- Postpartum and Breastfeeding:
- Alesse should not be used until at least 28 days postpartum if you are not breastfeeding.
- If you are breastfeeding, Alesse can reduce milk production. Consult your doctor about alternative methods of contraception.
- Contraceptive Effectiveness and Antibiotics:
- Certain antibiotics (e.g., rifampin, tetracyclines) can reduce the effectiveness of Alesse. Use backup contraception when taking antibiotics.
Overdose Information:
- Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.
- There is no specific antidote; treatment is based on the symptoms. Contact a healthcare provider if an overdose occurs.
Storage:
- Store Alesse at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C.
- Keep it in its original packaging and protect it from light.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Non-Contraceptive Benefits:
Aside from preventing pregnancy, Alesse may also offer several health benefits, including:
- Reduction in menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).
- Decreased menstrual bleeding and regular periods, which can reduce the risk of iron-deficiency anemia.
- Reduced risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers.
- Improvement in acne and other androgen-related conditions.
- Lower risk of developing ovarian cysts.
