Alesse

Alesse is a combined oral contraceptive that is available only by prescription. This birth control pill is called a combined oral contraceptive and contains a combination of two different types of hormones: estrogen and progestin. Alesse comes in tablet form and is taken once a day. While most people tolerate the drug well, side effects can include nausea, breast tenderness, and headaches.

 

What Is Alesse?

Alesse® (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol) is a prescription oral contraceptive (commonly known as a birth control pill). The following generic birth control pills are equivalent to Alesse:
 
  • Aviane® (made by Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
  • Lutera™ (made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.).
     
(Click Alesse Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Alesse?

Alesse is made by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Generic versions of the drug are made by various manufacturers (see Generic Alesse for more information).
 

How Does It Work?

Alesse is a combined oral contraceptive, the most common type of birth control pill. It contains a combination of two different types of hormones: an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a progestin (levonorgestrel). The hormones in Alesse prevent pregnancy primarily by stopping ovulation (the maturation and release of eggs from the ovaries).
 
Alesse also works to prevent pregnancy in two other, less important ways. It changes the cervical mucus (the fluid of the cervix, which is the lower, narrow part of the uterus that is connected to the vagina), making it more difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. Lastly, Alesse alters the lining of the uterus (the endometrium), making it less receptive to an embryo.
 

When and How to Use Alesse

General considerations for when and how to use the medication include the following:
 
  • Alesse comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth once a day.
     
  • Each pack of Alesse contains 28 pills. Be sure to take them in order. Once you finish a pack, start a new one right away. You will probably start your period during the last seven days of the pack.
     
  • You can take Alesse with or without food. If the medication bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
     
  • It is important that you take it every day and at the same time each day. Try to pick a time that will be easy to remember, such as at bedtime or breakfast. If you have trouble remembering, please talk with your healthcare provider, as missing pills increases your risk of pregnancy.
     
  • Make sure you know exactly what to do if you miss any pills. In some circumstances, you may need to use a backup method of contraception, such as condoms, for a week.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
     

Dosing Information

There is only one standard dose of Alesse, regardless of your age, weight, or medical conditions. As with any medication, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Alesse Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Alesse. However, not everyone who uses the contraceptive will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects of Alesse include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Acne
  • Nausea (with or without vomiting)
  • Breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods
  • Breast tenderness
  • Headaches.
     
(Click Alesse Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions With Alesse

Alesse can interact with several other medications (see Alesse Drug Interactions).
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using this medication if you have:
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Alesse Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

Women who take too much Alesse may experience the following symptoms:
 
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Other menstrual irregularities.
     
(Click Alesse Overdose for more information.)
 

How Should Alesse Be Stored?

Keep Alesse tablets in their original package. The packaging is designed to help you remember to take the tablets each day. Keep the package at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
 
Keep Alesse and all other medications out of the reach of children.
 

What If I Miss a Dose?

Missing doses of Alesse increases the risk of pregnancy. What you should do depends on how many tablets you have missed and where exactly you are in your cycle (see Alesse Dosage). Refer to the patient information that comes with each pack of Alesse, or consult your healthcare provider if you are not sure of what to do.
 

Strengths of Alesse

Alesse comes in packs of 28 tablets, containing 0.1 mg of levonorgestrel and 0.02 mg of ethinyl estradiol in each of the first 21 tablets. The last seven tablets of each pack contain no active ingredients.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;