Avoid cigarettes. Smoking during your Alesse treatment can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clot formation.
Certain drugs like antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of this Alesse prescription.
Also, do not take Alesse if you are pregnant or you think you may be pregnant or breast-feeding. It is in the FDA pregnancy category X, which means that it's known to cause birth defects in unborn babies and nursing infants.
Remember, birth control pills do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. The only way you can protect yourself from HIV and other sexually transmitted viruses is through the use of condoms.
More common Alesse side effects may include: nausea, vomiting, bleeding between menstrual periods, weight gain, breast tenderness, and difficulty wearing contact lenses. These side effects, especially nausea and vomiting, may subside within the first 3 months of use.
