Qlaira

What is Qlaira?

Qlaira is an effective and reliable combined contraceptive pill. The use of Qlaira also makes periods lighter and reduces prolonged bleeding problems in women. When used correctly, the contraceptive pill is more than 99% effective at preventing unwanted pregnancy.

Women taking Qlaira have found that the tablet helps reduce the likelihood of suffering from problems such as ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cyst, pelvic inflammation and cancer of ovaries and uterus.

With Prescription Doctor, you can get a private prescription for Qlaira online and have the medicine delivered straight to your door. Simply complete our online questionnaire and our doctor will determine whether the treatment is suitable for you. If it is, a prescription can be issued for our UK based GPhC registered pharmacy to fulfil.

If our doctor approves your order before 3pm, our pharmacy will dispatch your item the same day intended for a next-day discreet delivery, giving you peace of mind that your item arrives quickly and privately.

How does Qlaira work?

Qlaira is a hormonal contraceptive and works by interfering with the natural menstrual cycle to prevent pregnancy. Qlaira has two active ingredients; oestradiol valerate and dienogest, which are analogues of naturally occurring female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone respectively.

The active ingredients found in Qlaira are different from other synthetic hormones used in other hormonal contraceptive pills. The active ingredients break down in the body into an identical version of natural hormones produced by the body, instead of synthetic analogues like other pills.

Qlaira works by altering the levels of the hormones during the menstrual cycle. By doing this, they can prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation) to be fertilised by sperm.

Additionally, Qlaira also protects you from pregnancy by thickening the mucus at the cervical opening, making it difficult for sperm to penetrate the mucus lining and enter the womb to fertilise the egg. It also changes the lining of the uterus making it difficult for implantation of a fertilised egg.

Together, the effects of Qlaira reduce the chances of becoming pregnant and help to regulate the menstrual cycle.

How to take Qlaira?

Each strip of Qlaira has 28 tablets, 26 of which are active while 2 are inactive. These inactive tablets are white and do not contain any of the active ingredients.

You should take one tablet each day until all the 28 tablets are finished. Once the 28 tablets strip is empty, immediately start a new pill strip the very next day.

Qlaira does not fall among those hormonal pills that are supposed to have a break of seven days between strips.

Qlaira comes in blister packs marked with the days of the week. When you take your first pill, mark it with the name of the day you took the first pill - this will remind you to take Qlaira every day.

If you are unsure how to take Qlaira, speak to your doctor. Instructions on how to take Qlaira can also be found in the patient information leaflet enclosed with your medicine.

Side effects and cautions

Qlaira is a reliable pregnancy control pill. For further precautions, read the leaflet inside the pack before taking medicine. If you have any underlying disease, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 women):

• Abdominal pain
• Acne
• Changes in periods (including no periods)
• Headache
• Nausea
• Weight gain

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 10 in 100 women):

• Change in liver function
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness
• Fatigue, irritability, swelling of the ankles (oedema)
• Hair loss
• Hot flush, high blood pressure
• Increased appetite
• Migraines
• Mood changes
• Muscle cramps
• Vaginal infections
• Vomiting
• Weight loss, changes in blood pressure

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. Further information regarding the safety of Qlaira, including a full list of associated side effects, can be found within the patient information leaflet enclosed with your treatment.

Alternatively, you can view the patient information leaflet for Qlaira online.

If you experience any side effects, whether they are listed above or in the patient information leaflet, inform your doctor or ask a pharmacist for advice.

Allergic reaction

Do not take Qlaira if you are allergic to estradiol valerate, dienogest or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.

If you experience the signs of an allergic reaction, stop taking Qlaira and seek immediate medical attention.

Signs of an allergic reaction include:

• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Dry, red and cracked skin
• Itchy, red, watery eyes
• Raised, itchy, red rash (hives)
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
• Tightness of the chest
• Tummy pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea

Lactose Intolerance and Qlaira

Qlaira contains lactose. Therefore, it is essential to take your doctor's advice before taking Qlaira if you are intolerant to any sugars.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not take Qlaira if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor for further advice and information.

If you become pregnant while taking Qlaira, stop taking the contraceptive and speak to your doctor.

Other safety information

Always seek your doctor's advice before you buy Qlaira online from Prescription Doctor.

Please inform our prescriber of all the medications you currently take, including those prescribed to you by your doctor or bought over-the-counter as well as any health or herbal supplements you take.

Do not take Qlaira past the expiry date printed on the packaging. The date refers to the last day of the specified month.

Never throw away medicine via household or water waste. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to your local pharmacy and ask them to dispose of it safely on your behalf.

Always store medicine out of sight and reach from children and pets.

Never share your medicine with anybody else, even if they are experiencing the same symptoms as you.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I forget to take Qlaira?

If you forget to take Qlaira pill, you should take it as soon as you remember, even if you have to take two tablets per day. If the time is less than 12 hours, despite the regular time on which you should take the pill, there is no need to worry. You are still protected against pregnancy.

However, if you are more than 12 hours late, the protection against the conception of pregnancy can be reduced. In such a case, an additional contraceptive method should be adopted to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

If you have missed an inactive pill, then there is no need to worry about it as it does not affect the contraceptive ability of the medicine.

What should I do if I take too much Qlaira ?

There are no side effects reported with increased intake of Qlaira. But If you feel any serious problem, call your doctor or hospital for advice.

Will Qlaira affect my ability to drive or operate machines?

Dizziness is a side effect associated with Qlaira. If you experience dizziness after taking Qlaira, do not drive or operate machinery until you feel you are well enough to do so.

Can I Drink Alcohol while taking Qlaira?

While alcohol is unlikely to impact the efficacy of Qlaira, excessive alcohol consumption could exacerbate side effects or cause you to vomit, which may reduce the effectiveness of the pill.

Always drink responsibly while taking Qlaira.

Does Qlaira cause weight gain?

Qlaira may cause weight gain or water retention as a side effect. If you are concerned about any side effects associated with Qlaira, speak to your doctor or a pharmacist for advice.

Where can I buy Qlaira online?

Following a short online consultation with our registered prescriber, you can buy Qlaira online from Prescription Doctor's online private prescription service.

Table of contents

What is Qlaira?

How does Qlaira work?

How to take Qlaira?

Side effects and cautions

Frequently asked questions

Additional resources

What's the difference between the combined contraceptive pill and the mini pill?