ALESSE INFORMATION
Alesse can also be used
continuously, so a woman never has to stop taking
Alesse, unlike other forms of birth control. If
a woman decides
she wishes to get pregnant and has been taking Alesse,
all she has to do is stop taking the medication and
she will have her normal ability to become pregnant
again restored.
Alesse is a low dose hormone pill. It can also make
women’s menstrual cycles more regular and lighter.
Alesse has also been shown to reduce the chances for
both ovarian and uterine cancer.
Important Alesse Notes
The following information is intended
to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise
and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other
healthcare
professional. It should not be construed to indicate
that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective
for you. Consult your healthcare professional before
using this drug.
Alesse Uses
Alesse is 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.
Consult your
doctor or pharmacist. Use of Alesse does
not protect you or your partner against sexually
transmitted
diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).
How to use Alesse
Take this Alesse with food or
immediately after a meal to prevent stomach upset.
Try to take
Alesse at the same time each day. This
may help you
to remember to take it. Learn proper use of your
particular brand of medication. Follow your Alesse
dosing schedule carefully.
Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any questions. Use a supplemental form of
birth control
during the first week of taking Alesse
since it takes a while to be effective. Follow
your doctors directions exactly if Alesse
is being used as a morning after pill.
Alesse Side Effects
Alesse may cause dizziness,
headache, lightheadedness, stomach upset, bloating,
or nausea.
If these effects persist or worsen, contact
your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience:
severe depression,
groin or calf pain, sudden severe headache,
chest pain, shortness of breath, lumps in the breast,
weakness or
tingling in the arms or legs, yellowing of
the
eyes or skin. If you notice other effects not
listed above,
contact
your doctor or pharmacist.
Alesse Precautions
Before you take Alesse,
tell your doctor your entire medical history,
including
family
medical history, especially: asthma, high
blood pressure, kidney disease, liver heart disease,
stroke, history
of jaundice (yellowing skin/eyes) or high
blood
pressure during pregnancy, excessive weight
gain or fluid
retention during menstrual cycle, blood clots,
heart attack, seizures,
migraine headaches, breast cancer, high blood
level of cholesterol or lipids (fats), diabetes,
depression.
Depending
on strength, Alesse may cause a patchy,
darkening of the skin on the face (melasma).
Higher strengths
are more likely to cause melasma. Sunlight
may intensify this darkening and you may
need to
avoid prolonged
sun
exposure and sunlamps. Consult your doctor
regarding use of sunscreens and protective
clothing. It
may take a long time for you to become pregnant
after
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