Safely Buy Alesse 21 day ( Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol ) from Canada Prescriptions Plus.

Indications

Alesse 21-Day is a medication used for contraception.

Alesse 21-Day is a combination of two hormones, levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol.

Use and Dosage

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using this product and each time you get a refill. The leaflet contains very important information on when to take your pills and what to do if you miss a dose. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Pick a time of day that is easy for you to remember and take your pill at the same time each day.

If you are taking the chewable tablet, you may either swallow it whole or chew it thoroughly and swallow. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s directions for your brand.

Continue taking this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. With certain brands of birth control pills, the amount of estrogen and progestin in each active tablet will vary at different times in the cycle. You must follow the package instructions to find the first tablet, start with the first tablet in the pack, and take them in the correct order. Do not skip any doses. Pregnancy is more likely if you miss pills, start a new pack late, or take your pill at a different time of the day than usual.

Vomiting or diarrhea can prevent your birth control pills from working well. If you have vomiting or diarrhea, you may need to use a backup birth control method (such as condoms, or spermicide). Follow the directions in the Patient Information Leaflet and check with your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Taking this medication after your evening meal or at bedtime may help if you have stomach upset or nausea with the medication. You may choose to take this medication at another time of day that is easier for you to remember. No matter what dosing schedule you use, you must take this medication at the same time each day, 24 hours apart. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Your pill pack contains 21 pills with active medication. It may also contain 7 reminder pills with no medication. Take one active pill (with hormones) once daily for 21 days in a row. If you are using a product with 28 tablets, take an inactive pill once daily for 7 days in a row after you have taken the last active pill unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you are using a product with 21 tablets, do not take any tablets for 7 days unless otherwise directed by your doctor. You should have your period during the fourth week of the cycle. After you have taken the last inactive tablet in the pack or gone 7 days without taking an active tablet, start a new pack the next day whether or not you have your period. If you do not get your period, consult your doctor.

If this is the first time you are using this medication and you are not switching from another form of hormonal birth control (such as patch, or other birth control pills), take the first tablet in the pack on the first Sunday following the beginning of your menstrual period or on the first day of your period. If your period begins on a Sunday, begin taking this medication on that day. For the first cycle of use only, use an additional form of non-hormonal birth control (such as condoms, or spermicide) for the first 7 days to prevent pregnancy until the medication has enough time to work. If you start on the first day of your period, you do not need to use backup birth control the first week.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how to switch from other forms of hormonal birth control (such as patches, and other birth control pills) to this product. If any information is unclear, consult the Patient Information Leaflet or your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious side effects may include:

• Signs of a stroke–sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), severe headache, slurred speech, balance problems
• Signs of a blood clot–sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, swelling or redness in an arm or leg
• Heart attack symptoms–chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sweating
• Liver problems–loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Increased blood pressure–severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears
• Gallbladder problem–chalky-colored stools, stomach pain after eating, nausea, heartburn, bloating, and severe upper stomach pain that may spread to your back
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Changes in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches
• Breast lump
• Symptoms of depression–sleep problems, weakness, tired feeling, mood changes

Common side effects of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel may include:

• Nausea, vomiting (especially when you first start taking this medicine)
• Breast tenderness
• Breakthrough bleeding
• Acne, darkening of facial skin
• Weight gain
• Problems with contact lenses

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Cautions

• Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any estrogens (such as ethinyl estradiol, mestranol) or any progestins (such as norethindrone, desogestrel); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
• Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood clots (for example, in the legs, eyes, and lungs), blood clotting disorders (such as protein C or protein S deficiency), high blood pressure, abnormal breast exam, cancer (especially endometrial or breast cancer), high cholesterol or triglyceride (blood fat) levels, depression, diabetes, family or personal history of a certain swelling disorder (angioedema), gallbladder problems, severe headaches/migraines, heart problems (such as heart valve disease, irregular heartbeat, previous heart attack), history of yellowing eyes/skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or while using hormonal birth control (such as pills, patch), kidney disease, liver disease (including tumors), obesity, stroke, swelling (edema), thyroid problems, unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• If you have diabetes, this medication may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
• Chewable tablets may contain sugar and/or aspartame. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet.
• Tell your doctor if you just had or will be having surgery or if you will be confined to a bed or chair for a long time (such as a long plane flight). These conditions increase your risk of getting blood clots, especially if you are using hormonal birth control. You may need to stop this medication for a time or take special precautions.
• Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
• This medication may cause blotchy, dark areas on your face and skin (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this effect. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
• If you are nearsighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems or trouble wearing your contact lenses. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur.
• It may take longer for you to become pregnant after you stop taking birth control pills. Consult your doctor.
• This medication should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. If you have just given birth or had a pregnancy loss/abortion after the first 3 months, talk with your doctor about reliable forms of birth control, and find out when it is safe to start using birth control that contains a form of estrogen, such as this medication.
• This medication may decrease breast milk production. A small amount passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Forms and Strengths

Alesse 21-Day is available in the following forms and strengths:

• Alesse 21-Day Packs:
  • 0.1/0.02 mg

FAQ

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness.

What should I avoid while taking ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel?

Do not smoke while taking birth control pills, especially if you are older than 35 years of age.

Birth control pills will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases–including HIV and AIDS.

Using a condom is the only way to protect you from these diseases.

Resources:

1. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-17171/alesse-21-oral/details
2. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/ethinyl-estradiol-and-levonorgestrel.html#side-effects