GP and surgeon, Dr Shane Charles (MBBS, MRCS, PgDip SEM) provides a simple explanation of the medication below:

‘Qlaira is a birth control pill (combined oral contraceptive) that contains estradiol valerate and dienogest. ‘.

If you think Qlaira is a treatment that can help you, start an online consultation now for a registered prescriber to review. If treatment is deemed suitable, they can prescribe it, and we can deliver it to you from the comfort of your own home with a range of convenient delivery and payment options for you to choose from. If you have any questions about a medication, you should always consult your doctor with any questions prior to starting treatment, to ensure that it is safe and suitable for you.

Qlaira Contraceptive Pill

Qlaira tablets are hormonal contraceptives known as ‘the pill.’ It is a combined oral contraceptive pill that combines estradiol valerate and dienogest. Estradiol is a synthetic version of the female hormone estrogen that when metabolized in the body to a form of natural estrogen. Dienogest is a synthetic form of progesterone.

Qlaira is used to prevent pregnancy. It is also used to prevent heavy menstrual bleeding that is not related to any condition.

Qlaira tablets contain the synthetic versions of estrogen and progesterone, two naturally occurring female sex hormones. The combination of two hormones in Qlaira works by over-riding the normal menstrual cycle. During a woman’s menstrual cycle, the levels of sex hormone change throughout each month. The hormones cause the ovaries to release an egg during the process of ovulation and prepare the lining of the womb for the possibility of a pregnancy. At the end of each menstrual cycle, the levels of the hormones fall if the egg has not been fertilized, resulting in the shedding of the womb lining as a monthly menstrual period.

The daily dose of hormone provided by the Qlaira pill works mainly by making the body believe that ovulation has already occurred. This stops the ovaries from releasing a ripe egg.

The natural mucus found at the neck of the uterus will thicken when the hormones from Qlaira are present. This makes it difficult for the sperm to pass through the neck of the womb because of the thick mucus, preventing it from fertilizing an egg in the uterus.

The hormones also change the quality of the womb lining, making it less conducive for the implantation of a fertilized egg.

Qlaira effectively prevents pregnancy from occurring through the following:

• Tricked into believing that ovulation has occurred, the ovaries will no longer release an egg that could be fertilized by the sperm.
• Making it difficult for the sperm to enter the uterus because of the thickened mucus at the neck of the uterus.
• Making the lining of the womb not conducive to the attachment of a fertilized egg.

Qlaira Pill

The pack of Qlaira pills contains four types of active tablets. Each tablet contains a slightly different dose of hormones. The two dark yellow tablets contain 3 mg of estradiol; the five medium red tablets contain 2 mg estradiol and 2 mg dienogest; the 17 light yellow tablets contain 2 mg estradiol and 3 mg dienogest, and the two dark red tablets contain 1 mg estradiol. There are two inactive white tablets to complete the pack.

The tablets in the pack must be taken by mouth in the order specified on it, starting with the tablet that is marked “1.” The tablets also come with self-adhesive strips that show the different days of the week. These marks will guide you as to which tablet you have to take for a particular day.

Peel of the strip; that begins with your starting day. If you start on a Monday, stick the strip that says “Mon” along the top of the strip of tablets to show the first day when you started the pack. You can now easily see which day you have to take next.

The last two inactive tablets are intended for you to not have a break from taking the pills so as not to forget taking your first dose when you start the next pack. You are still protected against pregnancy while taking the inactive pills.

You will start the next pack the next day after completing the last of two inactive pills, provided nothing happens.

It is a good idea to take the pill at the same each day to help you remember to take your daily dose. The pills can be taken with or without a meal.

Start taking the Qlaira tablets in the order specified in the pack, beginning with the tablet marked “1.”

If this is your first time to use a hormonal contraceptive, take the pill on day one of your menstrual cycle. This will outright provide you protection against pregnancy.

If you are changing from other combined oral contraceptives to Qlaira, start the first Qlaira pill on the day when you are supposed to start taking the first pill in the pack of the previous pills.

If you have been using a vaginal ring or contraceptive skin patches, start taking the Qlaira tablets on the day you remove the ring or the patch. This will provide you with protection from pregnancy straight away.

If you have just given birth and you are not breastfeeding, you can start taking the pill on the 21st day after giving birth. You are protected right away without the need for extra contraceptives.

If you have just given birth and are you do not breastfeed, or have had an abortion in the second trimester, you can start taking the pill on day 21 to 28 after the birth or second trimester abortion. There is no need to use extra contraception because you are protected right away.

If you forget to take a pill or start the pack of pills one day later, take the missed pill as soon as you remember even if you have to take two pills at the same time. Then continue taking the rest of the pack as scheduled. You are still protected from pregnancy and you don’t have to use extra contraception.

If you forgot to take a white tablet, just discard it and continue to take the next pill as usual. If you forget to take an active pill, take as soon as you remember even if you have to take two pills in one day. Continue to take your pill the next day. If you miss more than one pill, ask your doctor for advice.

If you vomit within 3 or 4 hours of taking a pill, it may not be fully absorbed into your bloodstream. Take another pill as soon as you are well enough, within 12 hours of the usual time you take the pill. Take the next pill at your usual time. If you continue to be sick and or you took another pill more than 12 hours after the usual time you normally take the pill, you may not be protected. You should seek medical advice from your doctor.

Qlaira tablets are intended to be taken one tablet each until you finish all the pills in the pack, including the two inactive pills. Start a new pack the next day immediately after the last pill was consumed.

Medicines and their possible side effects affect individual users differently. Not everyone who uses Qlaira will experience the possible side effects.

The following are the possible side effects of Qlaira:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• A headache or migraine
• Weight gain or loss
• Breast tenderness or enlargement
• Fluid retention in the body cells or edema
• Vaginal thrush or candidiasis
• Change in menstrual bleeding
• Depression
• Menstrual spotting or breakthrough bleeding
• Diminished sex drive
• Skin reactions
• Elevated blood pressure
• Irregular brown patches on the skin
• Steepening of corneal curvature, making the wearing of contact lenses uncomfortable
• Problems of the liver
• Gallstone
• Blood clots in the blood vessels

Qlaira should not be used by women with certain medical conditions. Check first with your doctor if it is safe for you to take this medication. It should be used with caution by women who are over 35 years of age or those with a family history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot. It should also be used with caution by women with certain medical conditions. Check first with your doctor if you need extra monitoring while you are taking Qlaira.

Qlaira is used to prevent pregnancy and should not be used during pregnancy. If there is the likelihood that you might be pregnant while taking the pills, stop taking them right away and see your doctor immediately.

The hormones in Qlaira can cause a reduction in the production of breast milk. It is recommended that breastfeeding women not use Qlaira until after weaning.

It is necessary that you share with your doctor a list of all the medications you are currently taking or have recently taken before you start taking Qlaira. Similarly, check with your doctor before you start taking a new medication while you are taking Qlaira. This is to make sure that the combination of drugs will be safe.

You can safely buy Qlaira online at UK Meds. You will first need to have an online consultation with a pharmacist independent prescriber before your order will be supplied. The online consultation will ensure that Qlaira is the right medication for your medical condition.

Yes, you can get Qlaira on a subscription from UK Meds. By getting your medication on a subscription you can rest assured that you will get it when you need it, whilst also saving money. It’s a win-win!

More Information

• What is Qlaira used for?