Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Alesse.

Blood clots: Alesse may increase the chance of developing blood clots. If you have a history of developing blood clots or of blood clotting problems, you should not take Alesse. If you experience symptoms of a blood clot such as sharp pain and swelling in the calf or upper leg, sudden shortness of breath, crushing chest pain, blurred vision, or difficulty speaking, get immediate medical attention.

If you are immobilized (e.g., confined to bed for a long-term illness or accident), you will be at an increased risk of experiencing a blood clot and your doctor may recommend that you stop taking Alesse for a certain period of time.

Blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how Alesse may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Alesse, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

You may need to visit your doctor more frequently to have your blood pressure checked while using Alesse. Occasionally, high blood pressure may develop with the use of hormonal contraceptives. This may require stopping Alesse.

Breast cancer: Increasing age and a strong family history of breast cancer are the most significant risk factors in developing breast cancer. Other risk factors include Obesity, not having children, and a late age at the first full-term pregnancy.

The identified groups of women that may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer before Menopause are long-term users of birth control pills (more than 8 years) and those who start taking it at an early age. In a few women, the use of birth control pills may speed up the growth of an existing but undiagnosed breast cancer.

If you are taking birth control pills, you should learn breast self-examination. Notify your doctor any time you detect a lump. A yearly clinical breast examination is also recommended because, if a breast cancer should develop, medications that contain estrogen may cause the cancer to grow more quickly.

Cigarette smoking and heart disease: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious heart disease and death. Birth control pills increase this risk, especially with increasing age. Research data support an upper age limit of 35 years for birth control pill use by women who smoke. All women are urged not to smoke while taking Alesse.

Other women who are at high risk for heart disease include those with diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, or a family history of these conditions. It is unclear whether taking birth control pills increases this risk.

For low-risk, non-smoking women of any age, the benefits of using low-dose birth control pills outweigh the possible risks of heart disease. Consequently, birth control pills may be used by these women up to the age of menopause.

Depression: Hormones, such as estrogen, have been known to cause changes in mood and symptoms of depression. If you have depression or a history of depression, discuss with your doctor how Alesse may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Alesse, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, or notice them in a family member who is taking Alesse contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Diabetes: Current low-dose birth control pills do not have a large effect on blood glucose control. If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor whether any special monitoring is needed.

Eye disorders: Women who are taking birth control pills may experience fluid buildup in the cornea of the eye that may cause visual disturbances and changes in tolerance to rigid (i.e., hard) contact lenses. Soft contact lenses usually do not cause disturbances. If visual changes or alterations in tolerance to contact lenses occur, you may need to stop wearing them.

Fibroids: Alesse may worsen fibroids, causing sudden enlargement, pain, or tenderness. If you notice these effects, contact your doctor.

Gall bladder disease: Alesse can cause gall bladder disease to become worse. If you have gall bladder disease, discuss with your doctor how Alesse may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Alesse, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Inflammation of the pancreas: A small number of women who take levonorgestrel - ethinyl estradiol experience an increase in triglycerides in the blood. When triglyceride (a type of fat) levels are allowed to be high for a long period of time, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) may develop. Pancreatitis can quickly become serious and life-threatening. If you develop signs of pancreatitis (e.g., upper left abdominal pain, back pain, nausea, Fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen), contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Liver problems: Alesse may reduce liver function and can cause liver problems. If you have active liver disease, decreasing liver function, or liver tumours, you should not take Alesse. If you have a history of liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Alesse may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Alesse, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Migraine and headache: The onset or worsening of a migraine or the development of new types of recurrent, persistent, or severe headaches should be reported to your doctor.

Regular checkups: Physical examinations and follow-up visits should be done three months after starting Alesse and then yearly by your doctor.

Return to fertility: After stopping birth control therapy, you should delay pregnancy until at least one normal spontaneous menstrual cycle has occurred in order to date the pregnancy. An alternative birth control method should be used during this time. If you do not menstruate for 6 months or more after stopping birth control pills, notify your doctor.

Sexually transmitted infections: Birth control pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV or AIDS. For protection against these infections, latex condoms should be used in addition to Alesse.

Surgery: Ideally, Alesse should be stopped at least one month before major scheduled surgery since prolonged bed rest can increase the risk of blood clots. Inform any health care professional involved in your care that you are taking birth control pills so the risk of blood clots is reduced.

Pregnancy: Levonorgestrel - ethinyl estradiol should not be taken during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Alesse, contact your doctor.

Breast-feeding: It is not recommended to use birth control pills while breast-feeding. The hormonal components of the medication pass into breast milk and may reduce its quantity and quality. As well, their long-term effects on the developing child are not known.

Children: Adolescent girls who have not yet begun to menstruate and children under the age of 14 years should not take Alesse.

Seniors: Postmenopausal women should not take Alesse.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Yaz.

Blood clots: All hormonal contraceptives can increase the risk of developing blood clots. Some studies show that birth control pills containing drospirenone have a higher risk of blood clots than other birth control pills. Tell your doctor if you have a history of blood clots or are at risk of developing blood clots.

Tell your doctor if you are planning an upcoming surgery or if you will be immobilized or inactive for a prolonged period of time (i.e., through accident or illness), as there is an increased risk of blood clot formation when using combination hormonal contraceptives.

If you experience crushing chest pain or heaviness, pain in the calf, sudden shortness of breath, vision or speech changes, sudden severe headache, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, or are coughing blood, get immediate medical attention, as these symptoms could indicate a possible blood clot.

Blood pressure: Yaz may increase blood pressure, increasing the risks of other heart problems. If you have high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how Yaz may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Yaz, and whether any special monitoring is needed. You may need to visit your doctor more frequently to have your blood pressure checked while using Yaz.

Occasionally, high blood pressure may develop with the use of hormonal contraceptives. This may require stopping Yaz.

Cigarette smoking and heart disease: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious heart disease and death. Birth control pills also increase this risk, particularly as women get older. Women over 35 years of age who are heavy smokers (more than 15 cigarettes per day) should not use the birth control pill. All women are urged not to smoke while taking Yaz.

Other factors that increase your risk of heart disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, or a family history of these conditions. It is unclear whether taking the birth control pill increases this risk.

For women who have a low risk of heart disease and do not smoke, the benefits of using low-dose birth control pills outweigh the possible risks of heart disease, regardless of age. These women may continue to use birth control pills up to the age of Menopause.

Depression: Yaz, like other birth control medications, may contribute to feelings of depression. If you have a history of depression or other emotional problems, discuss with your doctor how Yaz may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Yaz, and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you have a history of depression or other emotional problems you may be more likely to have a recurrence while taking oral birth control medications.

Diabetes: If you have diabetes, or have a family history of diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Yaz may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Yaz, and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you have diabetes, it may be necessary to test your blood sugar more often to detect any worsening of blood sugar control after starting birth control pills.

Electrolytes: Yaz contains the Progesterone drospirenone, which may increase potassium levels in women who are at high risk for this condition. Women with reduced kidney or liver function or inadequate production of adrenal hormones are at increased risk.

If you receive other medications that can increase your potassium you should have your potassium levels checked by your doctor when you first start Yaz. Some of these medications include potassium supplements, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor antagonists (e.g., Candesartan, Losartan), some diuretics, Heparin, aldosterone antagonists (e.g., Spironolactone), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., Ibuprofen or Naproxen).

Eye disorders: Women who are taking birth control pills may experience fluid buildup in the cornea of the eye that may cause vision changes. This fluid buildup may also mean that your contact lenses may not fit as well as they used to, especially if you have hard contact lenses. Soft contact lenses usually do not cause problems. If your contact lenses feel uncomfortable, talk to your eye doctor.

Fibroid tumours: Yaz may worsen fibroid tumours (noncancerous growths in the uterus), causing sudden enlargement, pain, or tenderness. If you notice these effects, contact your doctor.

Gallbladder problems: The use of hormonal contraceptives increases the risk of gallbladder problems. If you experience symptoms of gallbladder problems such as severe stomach or back (between the shoulder blades) pain, nausea or vomiting, contact your doctor.

Kidney Disease: If you have kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Yaz may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Yaz, and whether any special monitoring is needed. You may need to have regular blood tests while taking Yaz.

Liver disease: Although uncommon, the use of hormonal contraceptives has been associated with liver problems. See your doctor as soon as possible if you develop signs of liver problems such as yellow eyes or skin, abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, or itchy skin.

Migraine and headache: If you have migraines, discuss with your doctor how Yaz may affect your medical condition and whether any special monitoring is needed. Tell your doctor if you develop new types of headaches that are recurrent, persistent, or severe or if migraine headaches worsen.

Regular checkups: You should visit your doctor yearly for a physical examination and follow-up while you are taking Yaz.

Return to fertility: After stopping birth control therapy, you should delay pregnancy until at least one normal spontaneous menstrual cycle has occurred in order to date the pregnancy. An alternative birth control method should be used during this time. If you do not menstruate for 6 months or more after stopping birth control pills, notify your doctor.

Risk of cancer: The use of hormonal contraceptives may increase the risk of breast and cervical cancer in women before menopause (around age 50). If you have been using hormonal contraceptives for a long time (more than 8 years), started using them at an early age, or have a family history of cancer (mother or sister), you may be at an increased risk of developing cancer. Talk to your doctor about whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you are taking birth control pills, you should learn how to do a breast self-exam. Notify your doctor any time you detect a lump. In a few women, the use of birth control pills may speed up the growth of a breast cancer that has not yet been diagnosed. A yearly clinical breast examination is also recommended because, if breast cancer should develop, medications that contain estrogen may cause the cancer to grow quickly.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Birth control pills do not protect against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs; formerly known as sexually transmitted diseases or STDs). It is recommended that latex condoms be used in combination with Yaz to protect against these infections.

Pregnancy: Yaz should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Yaz, or think that you may be pregnant, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Breast-feeding: The hormones in Yaz pass into breast milk. Breast-feeding women should use another form of birth control until they are no longer breast-feeding. Talk to your doctor about your options.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Yaz have not been established for children under 14 years of age.