Medication features
Qlaira tablets are hormonal contraceptives known as ‘the pill.’ It is a combined oral contraceptive pill that combines estradiol valerate and dienogest.
- Causes more regular and lighter periods
- Effectively prevents pregnancy
- Improved menstrual control
Overview
What is Qlaira?
Qlaira is one of the newer contraceptive pills on the market, Qlaira can provide more regular bleeding patterns and fewer side effects. It is also used for the treatment of heavy and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding (not caused by any underlying disease) in women who wish to use oral contraception. Qlaira contains four kinds of active pill and two inactive pills.
Warnings
You should not use Qlaira if you have any of the conditions listed below. If you do have any of the conditions listed below, you must tell your doctor. Your doctor will discuss with you what other form of birth control would be more appropriate.
- if you have any unexplained bleeding from the vagina
- if you have (or have ever had) a tumour of the liver
- if you have (or have ever had) a type of migraine called ‘migraine with aura’;
- a very high level of fat in the blood (cholesterol or triglycerides)
- severe diabetes with blood vessel damage
- if you have ever had a heart attack, angina or a stroke;
- if you know you have a disorder affecting your blood clotting
- Women who have had either cervical or breast cancer.
- Those that smoke and are over 35 years of age.
- Women who are aged 50 years or over.
- Women who are breastfeeding.
- Those with a BMI (body mass index) of 39 or over.
- if you have (or have ever had) a blood clot in your legs (DVT), your lungs (pulmonary or other organs;
- if you need an operation or if you are off your feet for a long time (see section ‘Blood clots’)
- if you have any of the following diseases that may increase your risk of a clot in the arteries:
- very high blood pressure
- a condition known as hyperhomocysteinaemia
- if you have (or have ever had) liver disease and your liver function is still not normal
- if you have (or have ever had) cancer or suspected cancer of the breast or genital organs
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to estradiol valerate or dienogest, or any of the other
ingredients of this medicine.
How do I use Qlaira?
Each wallet contains: –
- 2 dark red tablets. (1mg estradiol valerate),
- 5 medium red tablets. (2 mg estradiol valerate and 2 mg dienogest)
- 2 dark yellow tablets. (3 mg estradiol valerate)
- 17 light yellow tablets. (2 mg estradiol valerate and 3 mg dienogest)
- 2 inactive white tablets.
Take one tablet of Qlaira every day, if necessary with a small amount of water. You may take
the tablets with or without food, but you should take the tablets at around the same time every day.
Each pack also contains sticker strips marked with the days of the week to help you keep track.
During the first few months of taking Qlaira, you may have unexpected bleeding. Usually
bleeding starts on day 26, the day you take the second dark red tablet, or the following day(s)
Once you have completed a pack you should start taking the next pack the following day as there is no break with this pill.
What if I miss a pill?
If you forget to take a pill, it’s important to take it as soon as you remember. If you are 12 or more hours late in taking a pill it may not work so you will need to use additional barrier contraception, such as a condom, for the next seven days. Please see the medicine leaflet for more information and guidance.
Qlaira Tablets FAQs
Are All Daily Oral Contraceptives The Same?
No, not all oral contaceptives are the same. There are many different types of oral contraception and each one differs slightly. Your oral contraception should be taken as directed by your prescriber. If you miss doses and do not take your pill as it has been prescribed it will not be as effective and may not work.
What Types of 'The Pill' Are Available?
There are two main types of oral contraception: The combined pill (CoC), which containes two hormones, progestin and oestrogen and the progesterone only pill (PoP), often referred to as the mini pill, contains only one hormone, progesterone. Both types of oral contraception the CoC and PoP are 99% effective if taken as prescribed meaning your chances of becoming pregnant if you have unprotected sex are very low. Although you are unlikley to become pregnant, you are still likely to contract a sexually transmitted infection if you are regularly having unprotected sex with different partners.
What is "The Pill"?
Contraceptive pills are often referred to as "The Pill". Contraceptive pills consist of synthetic hormones (hormones that mimic the ones made in your body). They are composed of a synthetic type of oestrogen and progesterone. The Combined Oral Contraceptive (CoC) containes both of these hormones and the Progeterone Only Pill (PoP) (The Mini-Pill) only contains one of these hormones (progestin).
If I Vomit or Have Diarrhoea After Taking The Pill, What Do I Do?
If you have severe diarrhoea or vomit 3-4 hours after taking your pill, the chances of you being protected from getting pregnant are less likely. If this does happen to you, you should take another pill within 12 hours of your episode. If you are taking the inactive pill when this happens then you do not have to take another pill to compensate.
How Reliable is Oral Contraception?
If your dose is taken as prescribed and then the pill is one of the most reliable forms of contraception when it comes to protecting you against pregnancy. The pill is 99% effective at preventing pregnancies if taken appropriately, however it does not protect against STI's meaning if you are having sex with different partners, barrier contraception should still be used.
How Hard is it to Remember to Take Oral Contraception?
If you manage to adopt a regular routine of taking your pill as soon as you get up, you are less likely to forget. If you do find that you are more likely to forget then it is best to set reminders on your phone. Alternatively there are many apps avaialbe for android and iOS such as myPill that can help you to remember to take your pill.
Do I Have to Take My Pill at The Same Time Everyday?
Routine is imperative when you start taking oral contraception. The time of day you take the pill does not matter, however if you should pick to take it in the morning, afternoon or night time- whatever time you decide to choose you must be consistent with it and continue to take it during this period of time every day.
Can I Still Have Sex During The 4 or 7-Day Break?
It is safe to have sex during the the break if you have been taking your pill properly as prescribed. If you are having regular unprotected sex during this time you should be vigilant to start your next pack or strip on time and to make sure you are taking your pill properly.
I Have Not Had My Period And I Have Been Taking My Pill as Prescribed, am I Pregnant?
It is important to understand that if you have been taking your pill on time everyday as directed by your prescriber then the chances of you being pregnant are extremely low. If you are not getting your period whilst taking the pill then there is a chance that the lining of the womb has not formed enough for it to be released, if you continue to not see any bleeding or have a period for 2 months or more than you should contact your prescriber for investigation.
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