How to use Alesse?

If your physician’s instructions differ from the generic instructions always follow your doctor’s directions.

Generally the first dose is taken on the first Sunday after the beginning of the menstrual cycle or on the day flow begins. It is important that a tablet is taken each day within the 24 hour window from the last dosage to prevent an undesired change in the hormone levels. Taking the pills erratically can result in pregnancy so setting up a schedule and adhering to it strictly is recommended.

Alesse should be kept dry and at normal room temperature. Exposure to heat can adversely affect the medication. When you begin using Alesse it is prudent to use a barrier method and/or spermicidal products as a secondary a form of contraception until hormone levels have adjusted properly.

Standard oral contraceptive packaging comes in one of two dosage configurations, 21 and 28 day packets. When using the 21 day pill pack a tablet is taken every day for 21 days and then for 7 days nothing is taken. The 28 day pill pack contains the same number of active pills and seven placebo pills. This option is offered to help maintain the routine of taking the pill daily.

The menstrual cycle will begin while the placebos are being taken or during the 7 day period when no pills are taken. If using the 28 day pack start a new pack the day after the last pill with no break. Start a new package of Alesse on the 8th day if using the 21 day pack. It is not unusual for spotting to occur between cycles during the first 3 months but if breakthrough bleeding continues to occur past the 3 month mark or if bleeding is substantial it should be discussed with your physician.

Missing doses always increases risk of pregnancy. Missing more than two pills may cancel a monthly cycle but any time two contiguous months go by without a period you may be pregnant and should have a pregnancy test.

Pregnant women should not take Alesse so do not continue to take the pill until you’ve confirmed you are not pregnant.

• If one of the pills with active ingredients is missed, take two immediately and continue as normal. When pills are forgotten during the first two weeks of a packet, use additional forms of birth control for a minimum of a week while taking a pill each day.

• Two missed pills -Double up on pills for two days and then resume the normal schedule.

• Three consecutively missed pills - if during the first 3 weeks – toss the packet and start a new one immediately if your schedule is to start on first day of period. If following the Sunday schedule continue to take a pill a day until Sunday then toss the packet and start a new one.

• If placebo pills are missed just throw the missed ones away.

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