Alesse instructions

• Alesse uses
• Alesse directions
• Alesse side effects
• Warnings & precautions
• Drug interactions
• Overdose
• Missed dose

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Generic Name: ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (ETH in ill ess tra DYE ole and LEE voe nor jess trel)

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

The following product information is not intended to replace the physician's or manufacturer's instructions.

Alesse common medical uses:
Alesse is an oral contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy or to regulate your menstrual cycle. Certain brands of birth control pills may be used for treating acne or as a morning after pill for emergency contraception. Oral contraceptive products such as ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel are more effective than any other method of contraception. This medication does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).

Alesse directions:
Take this medication with food or immediately after a meal to avoid stomach upset. Try to take Alesse at the same time each day. If you have a 28-tablet packet, take one tablet daily for 28 days in the order specified in your packet. The last seven tablets in a 28-tablet packet are a different color. These tablets do not contain ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel; they contain iron (ferrous fumarate) or an inactive ingredient and are used to permit continuous daily dosing during the entire 28-day cycle. This eliminates the need to count the number of days between cycles. A new 28-tablet packet should be started the day after taking your 28th tablet. If you have an 84-tablet packet, take one pink tablet daily for 84 days followed by 7 days of a white tablet which contains an inactive ingredient. When first starting on this medication, use an additional method of birth control until you have correctly taken at least 7 days' worth of tablets. Take Alesse exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without checking with your doctor.

Alesse possible side effects:
If any of the following effects persist, or worsen or do not go away with time, contact your doctor:

• headache or dizziness
• upset stomach
• diarrhea
• constipation
• appetite and weight changes
• glucose intolerance (increased blood sugar)
• acne
• brown or black skin patches
• rash
• swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs
• hair growth in unusual places
• bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
• painful or missed periods
• breast tenderness, enlargement, or discharge

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking your birth control medication and call your doctor immediately:

• allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, closing of your throat, swelling of your lips, tongue, or face)
• shortness of breath
• pain in the chest
• high blood pressure
• blood clot in an arm or leg
• calf pain
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• severe mental depression
• unusual bleeding

Contact your doctor if you notice other side effects not listed here.

Alesse precautions:
Do not smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age, becoming quite marked in women over 35 years old, and is even greater for those who are heavy smokers (15 or more cigarettes per day). This medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, stop taking oral contraceptives and inform your doctor immediately. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can have very serious negative effects on a developing baby. Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor your entire medical history, especially: asthma, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure during pregnancy, excessive weight gain or fluid retention during menstrual cycle, blood clots, heart attack, migraine headaches, high blood level of cholesterol or lipids, diabetes. Oral contraceptives slightly increase your risk of strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attacks, gallbladder disease, and liver tumors. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you wear contact lenses.You may develop vision problems while using oral contraceptives. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur. Before taking Alesse, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Alesse Drug Interaction:
The best way to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking.
Drugs that may decrease the effectiveness of this medication include:

• griseofulvin
• various antibiotics (cephalosporins, macrolides, penicillins, tetracyclines, sulfas)
• chloramphenicol
• various seizure medications (barbiturates, phenytoin, primidone, carbamazepine)
• dapsone
• rifamycins
• modafinil
• nevirapine
• nelfinavir
• ritonavir

Ask your doctor if you should use a second form of birth control methods while taking any of the medications mentioned above. Also tell your doctor if you use: thyroid hormone drugs, prednisone-like drugs, benzodiazepines (diazepam, chlordiazepoxide), antidepressants (tricyclics), insulin, beta-blockers, blood thinners (anticoagulants such as warfarin). Oral contraceptive may significantly intensify the effects of alcohol. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about this. Do not start or stop any medication without doctor approval.

Overdose:
If overdose of Alesse is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of an overdose include nausea, vomiting, and menstrual bleeding.

Missed dose:
If you are taking Alesse to prevent pregnancy, missing a dose increases the risk of becoming pregnant. Missed dose advice differs and depends on the brand used, and the number of doses missed.Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. If you miss one tablet, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember and then take the next dose at the regular time--even though you may be taking two tablets in 1 day. If you miss taking this medication for 2 days in a row, take two tablets daily for the next 2 days and then return to your regular schedule. In either situation, an additional method of birth control should be used until you have correctly taken at least 7 days' worth of tablets (such as a condom or a spermicidal cream, jelly, or foam). If you miss three tablets in a row and you have the 28-tablet packet stop taking Alesse and discard the remaining tablets in this packet. A new packet of tablets may be started immediately or you may wait 7 to 8 days after the last tablet was taken to begin a new packet. You should continue to use an additional method of birth control until you have correctly taken at least 7 days' worth of tablets. Menstrual bleeding may not occur during this cycle. However, if you do not have a menstrual period for 2 months in a row, consult your doctor about the possibility of being pregnant. If you have an 84-tablet packet, and you’ve missed three or more tablets in a row, do not take the missed pills. Keep taking one pill every day until you have completed all the remaining pills in the pack. You may experience bleeding during the week following the missed pills. An alternative method of birth control should be used at this time.

Storage:
Store Alesse at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture. Avoid storing medications in the bathroom.

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