What is Alysena Used For?
- Alysena™ is used for contraception to prevent pregnancy.
- It is also used to treat moderate acne vulgaris in women 14 years or older who need contraception and have started menstruating.
How Does Alysena Work?
- Alysena contains two hormones: levonorgestrel (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen).
- It works by:
- Preventing ovulation (stopping the release of an egg from the ovary).
- Thickening cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to reach the egg.
- Altering the uterine lining, making it less likely for a fertilized egg to implant.
Effectiveness:
- Perfect use: Alysena is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken exactly as directed.
- Typical use: With typical use, which includes missed or late pills, effectiveness may drop slightly.
- Alysena does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so additional protection (e.g., condoms) should be used for STI prevention.
Who Should Not Use Alysena?
Alysena should not be used by individuals who:
- Are pregnant or suspect pregnancy.
- Have a history of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.
- Have liver disease, liver tumors, or severe hypertension.
- Have or have had breast cancer or estrogen-dependent cancers.
- Experience undiagnosed vaginal bleeding.
- Have diabetes with vascular involvement.
Warnings and Precautions:
- Smoking significantly increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you are over 35 years old.
- Alysena may increase the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke, particularly in women with predisposing conditions such as hypertension or obesity.
- Women using antiviral medications for hepatitis C (e.g., ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir) should not use Alysena as it may elevate liver enzymes.
Common Side Effects:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Headaches, including migraine.
- Irregular bleeding or spotting.
- Breast tenderness or breast enlargement.
- Weight gain or mood changes.
Serious Side Effects (Less Common):
- Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism).
- Stroke or heart attack.
- Liver tumors.
- High blood pressure.
Missed Pills:
- If you miss one pill:
- Take the missed pill as soon as you remember and continue with the next pill at the usual time (you may take two pills in one day).
- No backup contraception is needed.
- If you miss two pills in a row (in the first two weeks):
- Take two pills on the day you remember and two pills the next day.
- Use backup contraception for the next 7 days.
- If you miss three or more pills in a row:
- Discard the current pack and start a new pack.
- Use backup contraception for 7 days.
- You may not have a period this month.
Additional Information:
- Consistency: Alysena should be taken at the same time every day for maximum effectiveness.
- Vomiting or diarrhea within 4 hours of taking a pill may reduce effectiveness. If this happens, take another pill as soon as possible and use backup contraception for 7 days.
- Postpartum Use: Alysena can be started 28 days after giving birth if you are not breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding: Alysena may affect breast milk production and should not be used if breastfeeding.
Overdose:
- Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.
- There is no specific antidote for overdose; treatment should be directed to symptoms.
Non-Contraceptive Benefits:
- Reduced risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer.
- Decreased likelihood of benign breast disease and functional ovarian cysts.
- Less menstrual blood loss and reduced anemia risk.
- May improve conditions like acne, dysmenorrhea (painful periods), and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
