Alesse

Alesse is an effective pill that can prevent pregnancy.

Drug Uses

Containing a combination of female hormones, Alesse prevents ovulation. Alesse acts by changing the uterine lining and the cervical mucus, making it hard for the sperm to enter the ovum and also making it hard for the fertilized egg to get attached to the uterus wall.

How to use

Always the drug should be taken as per the doctor’s direction. It should not be taken in larger doses or taken for a longer period unless your doctor has recommended it.

The first pill should be taken on the first day of the period or on the first Sunday after the periods have begun. The recommended dosage is one pill a day.

Missed dose

Well, if you do not want to become pregnant, it is better not to miss any dosage.

If an active pill is missed, two pills have to be taken on the day you remember it. After this continue with one pill. If two active pills are missed in a row on the first or second week, two pills have to be taken for two days and after this you can continue with the regular dose. If two active pills or three pills are missed in the third week, you should not use the rest of the pills in the pack. Better start a new pack of Alesse.

There are also chances that you may take an overdose of the medicine. In case you take an overdose, seek immediate help. Vomiting, vaginal bleeding and nausea are some of the symptoms of Alesse overdose.

Warnings/precautions

Before Alesse is taken, your doctor should have to know about all your health history. Tell the doctor if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, heart diseases, angina, history of heart attacks, overweight, gallbladder problems, history of depression, seizures, diabetes, epilepsy, history of irregular periods, lumps, fibrocystic breast disease, nodules, abnormal mammogram, tuberculosis, uterine fibroid tumors and varicose veins.

The doctors normally do not prescribe the drug if you have a history of a stroke, circulation problems, blood clot, hormone related cancers, abnormal vaginal bleeding, severe high blood pressure, liver problems, migraine headaches and jaundice caused.

Breast-feeding women should not take Alesse, as the drug is known to pass into breast milk causing harm to the newborn.

The drug should also be stopped if you need any surgery or if you are in bed rest.

While taking Alesse, do not smoke as it only increases the risk of side effects.

Side effects

Some of the allergic reactions that are noticed while taking Alesse include hives, breathing problems and swelling.

Alesse should be stopped and the doctor should have to be consulted if you come across some of these serious side effects; sudden headache, pain behind eyes, confusion, vision problems, speech problems, pain spreading to arm, chest pain, nausea, stomach pain, dark urine and loss of appetite.

Some of the lesser known side effects are vomiting, mild nausea, bloating, breast pain, stomach cramps, tenderness, swelling, darkening of facial skin, loss of scalp hair, increased hair growth, problems with contact lens, changes in menstrual periods, vaginal itching and discharge.