Qlaira

Authored by

Dr Adam Williams

20 August 2024

What is Qlaira?

Qlaira is a combined oral contraceptive pill that can be taken to avoid pregnancy. It can also be helpful in treating heavy or painful periods. Qlaira is a 28 day pill.

Description

Qlaira as a Contraception

Qlaira is a form of combined contraception that is taken to prevent unwanted pregnancy for women. It is an oral birth control pill to be taken consecutively for 28 days without a break. It also helps alleviate symptoms of menstruation such as heavy bleeding and or painful periods.

What is Qlaira and how does it work?

The pill contains synthetic progesterone and oestrogen. These hormones are also produced by the body. Qlaira works by altering the hormonal balance of the body to prevent ovulation and by making the lining of the uterus less receptive to egg implantation.

Is Qlaira right for me?

If you are looking for an effective oral contraceptive, Qlaira may be right for you. However, it may not be suitable for you if you have the following:

If you are allergic or hypersensitive to the ingredients of Qlaira
If you have ever had a blood clot or are at risk of a blood clot
If you have severe heart, liver or kidney problems
If you need an operation or if you are off your feet for a long time
If you have high or low blood pressure
If you have ever had a migraine with aura
If you are suspected of having cancer of the breast or genital organs
If you have unexplained bleeding from the vagina
If you are taking medication for hepatitis C

How to take Qlaira?

Always take Qlaira exactly as prescribed by your doctor or advised by the pharmacist.

Qlaira should be taken every day for 28 days
Take your pill at the same time every day
Start by taking a pill marked with the correct day of the week
Start your next strip of Qlaira the next day, even if you are still bleeding
It can be taken with or without food, if necessary with a small amount of water
You must not take Qlaira if you are pregnant
It is not advised to take Qlaira while breast-feeding

Side Effects

All medications can cause potential side effects, below we have listed some potential side effects of Qlaira. However, these do not always occur and are mostly mild in nature. But if you experience any prolonged or worrying side effects of Qlaira, please discontinue the medication immediately and consult your doctor.

Common side effects include:

Weight gain
Headaches
Abdominal pain
Acne
No periods or painful periods
Breast discomfort
Nausea

Warnings and Precautions

Qlaira may not be safe if taken with other medication or recreational drugs. Please inform the prescriber if you are taking any of the listed medications.

DO NOT take Qlaira:

ciclosporin (medicine used for the treatment of suppression of tissue rejection following transplant surgery)
St. John's wort (herbal remedy to treat depression)
primidone, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate, rufinamide, perampanel to treat epilepsy
rifampicin for tuberculosis
Medicines for HIV and Hepatitis C Virus infections (so-called protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors such as ritonavir, nevirapin, efavirenz)
griseofulvin for fungal infections
bosnetan for increase of blood pressure in the lung vasculature
modafinil for sleeping disorders

The above-listed warnings are not exhaustive, please consult a doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you have further questions on the use of this medication or potential interactions with other medicines.

Qlaira Patient Leaflet

To view Qlaira Patient Leaflet click here.

To view PDF patient leaflet click here.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Welzo does not endorse or sell the medication discussed, nor do we recommend using this information as a substitute for professional healthcare. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding your health or medical treatment. Welzo assumes no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided in this blog.