Qlaira is a prescription medicine that belongs to the category of Combined Hormonal Contraceptives (CHC), commonly known as ‘the pill’. This is an oral contraceptive that contains a combination of Estradiol Valerate and Dienogest. These are synthetic forms of the female hormones, estrogen, and progesterone respectively. Qlaira is a highly effective contraceptive and is proven to prevent unwanted pregnancy in 99.99% of cases when taken as prescribed.

Qlaira is primarily used as a contraceptive but it is also recommended to women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding and pain, unrelated to any other condition.

Qlaira is one of the most effective oral contraceptives prescribed by doctors across the United Kingdom.

The benefits of using Qlaira are.

• The change in hormonal levels caused by Qlaira makes the female reproductive system believe that ovulation has occurred. Thus the ovaries will not release an egg that may be fertilized by a sperm.

• Qlaira thickens the mucus at the neck of the uterus, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus.

• This medicine makes the lining of the uterus non-conducive to the attachment of a fertilized egg.

• Qlaira also offers relief to women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding and pain during periods.

When taken correctly, as prescribed by the doctor – Qlaira is 99.99% effective in preventing pregnancy. If you begin taking Qlaira on any of the first five days of your period you will immediately be protected against pregnancy. If you start taking it later, it is advisable to use condoms or any other additional contraception for at least seven days until the medicine takes effect.

Qlaira contains two synthetic hormones namely, Estradiol Valerate – a synthetic form of estrogen, and Dienogest – a synthetic form of progesterone hormone. When taken as prescribed Qlaira maintains a hormone level in the female body that tricks the ovaries into believing that ovulation has occurred. Therefore no more eggs are released, to be fertilized by a sperm.

If you begin taking Qlaira on the first to fifth days of your period, you will be protected against pregnancy immediately. If you start taking Qlaira any time later in the month (provided that you are sure you are not pregnant) then it is recommended that you use condoms or other additional contraception for at least seven days until the pill begins to work.

You can stop taking the combined pill Qlaira, at any time. It usually takes at least a week for your reproductive system to normalize and for you to start ovulating again.

You can buy Qlaira online at MedsNow. This is a prescription medicine, therefore you are required to have an online consultation with our doctor or independent pharmacist to get the prescription. The medicine will be supplied conveniently to your doorstep.

Qlaira tablets need to be taken one per day. Preferably, take the tablet at the same time every day to help you remember your daily dose. A pack of Qlaira tablets contains 28 tablets with the following composition –

Your doctor or pharmacist will guide you on how to take these tablets. Usually, you’ll find the first tablet marked with the number ‘1’ on the pack. The tablets also come with self-adhesive strips that denote the days of the week. For instance, if you begin your pack of Qlaira on Monday, stick the strip that says ‘Monday’ at the top of your pack. That way you can easily understand which tablet has to be taken on which day.

After you take the last two inactive pills, you can start a new pack on the very next day.

The pills can be taken with or without food.

How to start - 

• If you are starting with a hormonal contraceptive for the first time, take Qlaira on any day between the first to fifth days of your period. This will guarantee immediate protection.

• When changing from other oral contraceptives to Qlaira, start taking Qlaira tablets on the same day as you would start a new pack of the previous pills.

• If you have been using a vaginal ring or a contraceptive skin patch, start taking Qlaira tablets on the day you get the ring or patch removed. This will protect against pregnancy right away.

If you have given birth, and are not breastfeeding – you can start a new pack of Qlaira pills 21 days after your delivery date.

Qlaira tablets are recommended to be taken one per day. Take one tablet every day until you finish the pack, then start a new pack immediately, from the next day after consuming the last pill.

Qlaira is oral contraception designed for women over the age of puberty and lower than the age of menopause – who want to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. However, this is a prescription medicine that should only be taken after a consultation with your doctor. You should share all the important details of your medical history with the doctor when consulting for the best choice of contraception. 

Having the following medical conditions may make Qlaira an unsuitable choice of contraception for you:

• If you are allergic to the synthetic hormones Estradiol Valerate, Dienogest, or any other ingredient in Qlaira

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding

• If you have had angina, a heart attack, or a stroke

• If you have a family history of blood clots

• If you have a disease that increases the risk of blood clots

• If you have or have had breast cancer or a cancerous ailment in any of your reproductive organs

• If you have moderate to severe high blood pressure

• If you have chronic liver disease

• If you have unexplained vaginal bleeding

• If you have migraines

• If you smoke more than 40 cigarettes per day

• If you have an ailment, injury, or surgery that keeps you off your feet for a long time.

• If you have diabetes (especially with complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, or nerves)

• If you are above 50 years of age

• If you are lactose intolerant

• If you are undergoing treatments and taking medication for – 

• Varicose veins

• Epilepsy

• Tuberculosis

• HIV / Hepatitis C

• Fungal Infections

• Herbal remedy St. John’s Wort

• Medicines containing cyclosporine

There are some common side effects of Qlaira seen in one out of ten women who take it – 

• Headache

• Stomach ache

• Nausea

• Painful periods

• Irregular Periods

• Absence of Periods

• Discomfort in breasts

• Acne

• Weight gain

There are also some uncommon side effects, seen in one to ten out of one thousand women taking Qlaira –

• Depression

• Mood Swings

• Insomnia

• Fungal infections / Thrush

• Sleeping problems

• Weight loss

• Reduced sex drive/libido

• Hot flushes

• Increase in appetite

• High blood pressure

• Dizziness

• Vomiting or Diarrhea

• Migraine

• Muscle cramps

• Itching or rash

• Hair loss

• Pain during sex

• Vaginal discharge

• Fatigue

Swelling of the ankles or other parts of the body

Qlaira is a prescription medicine and should only be taken as prescribed and instructed by your doctor. Also, women should follow some precautions when taking Qlaira –

• Take the pills exactly as instructed by your doctor

• Do not miss any pills and take them regularly

• Always share all the details of your medical history with your doctor when consulting to find the best contraceptive.

Some medicines interact with Qlaira to break down the hormones of the contraceptive pill by the liver, making it less effective at preventing pregnancy. They are – 

• Aprepitant

• Bosentan

• Barbiturates

• Carbamazepine

• Cobicistat

• Crizotinib

• Dabrafenib

• Eslicarbazepine

• Modafinil

• Nevirapine

• Oxcarbazepine

• Perampanel (12mg)

• Phenobarbital

• Phenytoin

• Primidone

• Rifampicin

• Rifabutin

• Ritonavir

• Rufinamide

• Telaprevir

• The Herbal Remedy St John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum)

• Topiramate

• Vemurafenib

Here’s what you should do if you miss taking a pill – 

• If you miss taking a White Inactive Pill: If you miss taking a white inactive pill, discard the missed pill and continue the pack as normal. You will remain protected from unwanted pregnancy.

• If you miss taking an Active Pill: Active pills are the colored pills on your pack. Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, then take the next pill at the regular time. This could mean taking two pills in one day. Never take more than two Qlaira pills in a day.

• If you miss taking an Active Pill (more than 12 hours ago): If you are more than 12 hours late in taking your active pill, then your protection against pregnancy may be reduced. The next steps depend on where you are in your pill packet – 

• Pill 1 to 9: Use extra contraception such as condoms for nine days since the day you missed your pill while continuing your pills as normal.

• Pill 10 to 17: Use extra contraception such as condoms for nine days since the day you missed your pill while continuing your pills as normal.

• Pill 18 to 24: Discard the packet and start with a new pack immediately. Use extra contraception such as condoms for nine days since the day you missed your pill.

• Pill 25 to 26: Take the missed pill immediately and the next pill at the usual time. No extra contraception is necessary.

• Pill 27 & 28: These are inactive pills. Discard the missed pill and continue the pack as normal. You will remain protected from unwanted pregnancy.

If you or anyone else has taken an overdose of Qlaira, you should immediately seek medical attention. You should do this even if you are not experiencing any discomfort or poisoning symptoms.

Does Qlaira cause weight gain?

Yes. Weight gain is a possible side effect of the Qlaira pill.

Can you get pregnant on Qlaira?

Qlaira is 99.99% effective in preventing pregnancy when taken correctly. However, if you don’t take the pills as prescribed, the chances of your getting pregnant go up by 9%.

Can I take Qlaira if I'm breastfeeding?

Hormonal contraceptives are known to reduce the production of breast milk.

If you are breastfeeding, wait for at least six months or until the baby is weaned before you start taking Qlaira or any other hormonal contraceptive pill. 

What if I have vomiting or diarrhea after taking the pill?

If you have vomited within 3 to 4 hours of taking the pill, it may not be properly absorbed in your bloodstream. This means that you may not be adequately protected from pregnancy. Therefore, within 12 hours, you should take another pill and then continue taking the rest of the pills as usual.

If you have diarrhea for 24 hours, your contraceptive pill may not remain effective. Treat each day of diarrhea as a missed pill day and accordingly follow the instructions for a missed pill.

How long does Qlaira take to leave your system?

Whenever you stop taking Qlaira, it takes at least a couple of weeks for your reproductive system to get back to the ‘normal mode’. However, everyone’s body is different and it could take up to 3 months for you to be ovulating normally.

Do you have a period on Qlaira?

Yes. When you are taking Qlaira, usually your period begins when you take the second dark red tablet and continues right up to the time when you start the next packet. 

Can I skip my period on Qlaira?

Yes. You can use birth control pills to skip a period. However, this is not considered a safe practice.

Can you take Qlaira continuously?

Yes. You can take Qlaira continuously. Consult your doctor to understand how long you can safely use oral contraceptive pills.