Buy Qlaira Pill Online

Qlaira is a combined contraceptive pill typically prescribed to prevent pregnancy. It contains synthetic versions of oestrogen (estradiol valerate) and progesterone (dienogest). Qlaira is sometimes used as a treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding in people who want to use a method of oral contraception.

Each strip of Qlaira pills contains 28 pills. There are 26 coloured tablets that contain hormones and 2 placebo pills which are taken as a hormone-free break. Unlike some contraceptives, Qlaira does not contain the same amount of progesterone and oestrogen in each pill, and instead this depends on which stage you are in your cycle.

Qlaira is a type of combined oral contraceptive pill that works in 3 ways to prevent pregnancy:

1. Stopping the release of an egg from the ovary (ovulation).
2. Thickening the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to travel through the womb.
3. Thinning the lining of the uterus so that a fertilised egg would find it difficult to implant itself.

Qlaira is also the first combined pill to be licensed to treat heavy or prolonged periods in people who want to use oral contraception. When taking Qlaira pill for this reason you may notice:

• more regular and lighter periods
• less period pain

Although Qlaira normally stops ovulation, taking the pill does not always stop periods. While the pill may stop your regular period, you can still get breakthrough bleeding, especially during the 2-day hormone-free gap on Qlaira.

How long does Qlaira take to work?

How quickly Qlaira works will depend on the day you start taking it, for example if you take Qlaira:

• on the first day of your cycle – you will be protected from pregnancy straight away
• after the first day of your cycle – you will need to use additional barrier contraception, like condoms, for 9 days if you have sex

How long does Qlaira last?

If you take Qlaira as prescribed and according to the information in your patient information leaflet, it will remain active in your body to prevent pregnancy. The half-life of Qlaira is approximately 11 hours. If you stop taking Qlaira it will remain active in your body for a few days, however, you will no longer be protected from pregnancy as soon as you stop taking it.

If you’ve been taking Qlaira for a long period of time it will take a few months for your hormones to regulate back to how they were before you started taking it.

How effective is Qlaira?

Qlaira is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if it is taken correctly. However, real life data shows that the pill is actually around 92% effective. This is because of things like missed pills, sickness and diarrhoea, or taking other medications that reduce its effectiveness.

Benefits of taking Qlaira

Qlaira pill is clinically proven to treat heavy or prolonged periods, meaning you may experience lighter, more regular periods and a reduction in period pain.

The Qlaira pill was the first contraceptive pill to introduce a new oestrogen, called ‘17-β’ estradiol valerate. This type of oestrogen is chemically identical to the oestrogen produced naturally by your body. Research shows that estradiol valerate may be associated with a lower risk of blood clots than other combined pills.

The dosage of the Qlaira contraceptive pill also means that there is a shorter hormone-free break of 2 days compared to a more traditional 7-day pill-free break. This 26 days on and 2 days off dosing regimen is the shortest available and may result in less hormonal withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and pelvic pain.

The Qlaira pill can be taken by sexually-active people who do not wish to get pregnant or people who have heavy or prolonged periods in order to control their symptoms.

Qlaira can only be taken by people who do not have any other health conditions which make taking the pill unsafe (contraindications) or any other medications which might affect the way the pill works (interactions).

When to start taking Qlaira

If you are taking the Qlaira pill for the first time, you should start taking it on the first day of your period, which is the first day of your menstrual cycle. If you start taking it after this time, you will need to use a barrier method, like condoms, for the first 9 days to protect you from getting pregnant.

If you are going to start the Qlaira contraceptive pill after having a baby, you should start between 21 and 28 days after giving birth. If you begin taking it after 28 days, then you should use condoms during the first 9 days of using the Qlaira pill.

When should I take Qlaira?

It does not matter what time of day you take the Qlaira contraceptive pill but it’s best to take it at around the same time every day. You can take the pill with or without food. Taking them with food might reduce the chance of stomach-related side effects, like nausea.

How often should I take Qlaira?

Qlaira is a quadriphasic pill. This means Qlaira requires 26 days on and 2 days off dosing regimen compared to a 21 days on and 7 days off regimen. So, when taking Qlaira, you’ll take 1 pill every day, but for 26 days you will take a pill that contains hormones and for 2 days you’ll take a pill that contains no hormones, also known as a placebo.

If you miss more than 1 pill or are late starting your next packet, you may be at risk of pregnancy. You may need to consider using emergency contraception (the morning after pill) if you have had unprotected sex. You should speak to your doctor if you’re concerned about this.

This table explains what to do if you miss a dose of Qlaira at different points during your 28-day cycle:

If you’re sick within 3 or 4 hours of taking a pill, take another pill as soon as you feel well enough, within 12 hours of the normal time you would have taken it. Take the next one at your normal time. If you carry on being sick or you were more than 12 hours late taking the next pill, ask your doctor for advice.

If you have very severe diarrhoea which lasts for over 24 hours, keep taking your pill at your normal time, but follow the instructions for missing a pill.

What if I take too much Qlaira?

There are no reported serious harmful side effects if you think you have accidentally taken too many Qlaira. However we recommend getting in touch with your doctor if you experience symptoms like nausea or vomiting.

For further information and detail, read the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine.

If you find that you miss pills often, you should speak to your doctor about other possible types of contraception. There are long-acting types of contraception such as the implant, injection, or coil, which some people prefer as you do not need to remember to take a pill every day.

It is possible to request the Qlaira contraceptive pill in the UK from online registered doctor services, like ZAVA. But before you buy Qlaira online, you should make sure the service you are buying from is regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

You may also be able to get Qlaira for free on the NHS from your GP or a sexual health clinic. Qlaira is not available without a prescription, so it cannot be bought over the counter.

Can I buy Qlaira online?

You can request the Qlaira pill online from ZAVA, all you need to do is:

1. Fill out a short online medical questionnaire to tell us about your health.
2. Request your preferred treatment and log in or create an account to make payment.
3. One of our registered doctors will review your answers and let you know if the treatment is right for you.
4. Once approved, your medication will be delivered discreetly to your address or you can collect it from your local post office.

Can I buy Qlaira over the counter?

No, Qlaira is not available over the counter. You will need approval from a doctor to get Qlaira. This is because Qlaira is a prescription-only medication and can only legally be bought in the UK with a prescription or through an online doctor service like ZAVA.

There are some mini-pills available to purchase over the counter without a prescription, such as Hana and Lovima.

Can I get Qlaira on the NHS?

Yes, Qlaira is available to request on the NHS from your GP after having a consultation. You can only obtain Qlaira with a prescription so you would need a GP to prescribe Qlaira for you.

Like any medication, Qlaira does have a chance of giving you side effects. However, not everyone will experience them.

You may have irregular periods, spotting, and breakthrough bleeding when you first start taking Qlaira. If you do not have a withdrawal bleed for 2 months in a row, take a pregnancy test before you start the next pack.

Common side effects (affecting between 1 and 10 in every 100 users) include:

• headaches
• abdominal pain or nausea
• acne
• loss of periods, sore breasts, painful periods or irregular bleeding (and heavy irregular bleeding)
• weight gain

Uncommon side effects (affecting between 1 and 10 in every 1,000 users) include:

• fungal infections of vulva or vagina
• vaginal infections
• increased appetite
• dizziness
• migraine
• depression, low mood, and difficulty sleeping
• lowered libido
• mood swings
• hot flushes
• high blood pressure
• diarrhoea
• vomiting
• hair loss
• excessive sweating
• itching
• rash
• muscle cramps
• swollen breasts
• cervical dysplasia
• fatigue and irritability
• swelling
• weight loss
• blood pressure fluctuations
• ovarian cyst and/or pelvic pain
• premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• vaginal bleeding
• contractions of uterus and/or growths in uterus

Serious side effects of Qlaira

People taking the combined contraceptive pill, including the Qlaira pill, are at a slightly higher risk of developing a blood clot in a vein, the lungs, or an artery, which can lead to a stroke or a heart attack. The risk is higher for smokers and people who are obese.

Stop taking Qlaira, contact your doctor straight away, and call 999 in an emergency, if you notice any of the following:

• stabbing pains and/or unusual swelling in one leg
• pain on breathing or coughing
• coughing up blood
• sudden breathlessness
• sudden severe chest pain
• migraine or severe headaches
• sudden disturbance in vision, hearing, or speech
• sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• fainting or collapse
• epileptic seizure
• significant rise in blood pressure
• itching of the whole body
• yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• severe stomach pain
• severe depression

You should also contact your doctor if you think you could be pregnant.

What happens when you’re coming off Qlaira?

You can stop taking the Qlaira contraceptive pill at any time. If you are coming off a contraceptive pill like Qlaira because you want to get pregnant, stop taking Qlaira and wait about 2 to 3 months until your periods become regular (if you had regular periods before starting Qlaira) before trying. Doing so will help to determine your expected delivery date more easily.

If you are coming off the Qlaira pill and do not want to get pregnant, you should speak to your doctor about alternative methods of contraception.

How long do Qlaira side effects last?

Qlaira side effects typically stop when your body adjusts to the medication, which usually takes around 3 months. If you experience any severe or persistent side effects that affect your day-to-day life speak to your doctor and they may recommend an alternative contraceptive.

What should I do if I get Qlaira side effects?

If you experience mild side effects like nausea, headaches, spotting (bleeding), or breast tenderness, this is common and they should subside. We suggest waiting for your body to adjust, and in the meantime easing your side effects for:

• nausea – take the pill at night or with food
• spotting – take your pill at the same time each day
• headaches – take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen
• breast tenderness – wear a supportive bra, apply warm compress, and take painkillers

Although Qlaira is an effective pregnancy prevention solution, this does not mean it is right for everybody. Your doctor will take into account possible risk factors like your medical history, family history, weight, age, and smoking status to assess if this type of pill would be safe for you to use.

Do not take the Qlaira pill if you have:

• or have ever had, a blood clot (thrombosis) in a blood vessel of your legs, your lungs, or any other organs
• a disorder that affects your blood clotting
• a planned operation or expect to be off your feet for a long time
• ever had a heart attack or a stroke
• or have ever had, angina pectoris or transient ischaemic attack
• or have ever had, a type of migraine called ‘migraine with aura’
• or have ever had, liver disease – and your liver function still isn’t normal
• or have ever had, a tumour of the liver
• or have ever had, cancer or suspected cancer of the breast or genital organs
• any unexplained vaginal bleeding
• an allergy to estradiol valerate, dienogest, or any of the other ingredients in Qlaira

You also should not take Qlaira birth control if any of the following apply to you, as this may increase your risk of a clot in the arteries:

• you have severe diabetes with blood vessel damage
• you have high blood pressure
• you have a high level of fat in the blood
• you have a condition known as hyperhomocysteinemia
• you might already be pregnant
• you are obese
• you take certain medications, discussed in detail in the ‘Qlaira interactions’ section
• you experience migraines
• a close family member has ever had a blood clot or has inherited abnormal clotting conditions
• you are diabetic
• you have severe liver disease or cancer
• you have a history of breast cancer in your family or cancer of the genital organs

Qlaira interactions

You should always tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including over-the-counter and herbal medicines, before you start taking the Qlaira pill. Also make sure that any new medications you’re starting are safe to use while on Qlaira – tell the prescribing doctor, nurse, or pharmacist you’re using Qlaira.

Medications that can interact with Qlaira include ones used in the treatment of:

• epilepsy, including primidone, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, and felbamate
• tuberculosis, including rifampicin
• HIV and Hepatitis C virus infections, including protease inhibitors and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, such as ritonavir, nevirapine, and efavirenz and combination regimens of ombitasvir and paritaprevir and ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, as well as the regimen of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir, which may cause increases in liver function blood test results
• fungal infections, including griseofulvin and ketoconazole
• mental health disorders, such as St. John's wort

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not take Qlaira tablets if you’re pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking it, you should stop straight away. Qlaira pills and other combined contraceptive pills should not be used for 6 weeks after you’ve had a baby, if you’re breastfeeding. If you do need contraception after giving birth, mini pills might be a good choice.

The active ingredients in Qlaira tablets are estradiol valerate and dienogest at varying strengths:

• 2 dark yellow tablets containing 3mg estradiol valerate
• 5 medium red tablets containing 2mg estradiol valerate and 2mg dienogest
• 17 light yellow tablets containing 2mg estradiol and 3mg dienogest
• 2 dark red tablets containing 1mg estradiol
• 2 white tablets containing no active ingredients

There are several Qlaira alternative pills available. Some of the other combined oral contraceptive pills available are:

• Zoely – a 28-day pill, with 24 pills containing active ingredients while 4 are placebo and which contains the active ingredients estradiol and nomegestrol acetate
• Triregol – another phasic pill meant to match the natural hormone changes during your menstrual cycle
• Yasmin – a combined pill that contains different types of oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progestogen (drospirenone)
• Rigevidon – a combined oral contraceptive which is also used to treat heavy or irregular periods
• Microgynon 30 – a 21-day pill containing ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel

If the combined pill is not suitable for you or you would prefer not to use contraception that contains oestrogen, then the mini pill may be an option. The mini pill or progesterone-only pill only contains 1 hormone, progesterone. It’s ideal for anyone who cannot take oestrogen. Mini pill examples include:

• Cerazette
• Cerelle
• Norgeston
• Noriday

Qlaira vs Zoely

Zoely and Qlaira are similar only because they are both extended regimen pills which means they have a pill-free break that lasts for less than 7 days. The main differences are:

• Qlaira’s hormone-free break is 2 days while the hormone-free break with Zoely lasts for 4 days
• Qlaira is a quadriphasic pill so the hormone levels change over the 4 weeks it’s taken, whereas Zoely is monophasic, so the hormone levels remain the same
• Qlaira and Zoely contain different synthetic versions of oestrogen and progesterone, with Zoely containing estradiol and nomegestrol
• Zoely can cause heavier periods, particularly during the early months of taking it, whereas Qlaira may relieve symptoms like heavy periods due to its anti-androgenic properties

Both pills are equally effective and like Qlaira, Zoely can help with acne.

Qlaira vs Yasmin

Qlaira and Yasmin are both combined pills with many differences although both pills are equally effective at preventing pregnancy. The main differences are:

• Qlaira is quadriphasic, so the hormone levels change during every 4-week cycle, whereas Yasmin only has one phase (monophasic), meaning the hormone levels stay the same
• Qlaira and Yasmin contain different synthetic versions of oestrogen and progesterone, with Yasmin containing ethinylestradiol and drospirenone

The ingredients in Yasmin and Qlaira can both help alleviate acne and Yasmin can also help with bloating.

Qlaira vs Microgynon

Qlaira and Microgynon are both combined oral contraceptive pills with some differences. Although they’re equally effective, they differ because:

• they contain different synthetic versions of oestrogen and progesterone, with Microgynon containing ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel
• Microgynon, like Yasmin and unlike Qlaira, is monophasic, meaning you remain on the same dosage throughout your cycle when taking it
• Qlaira has been reported to cause less oestrogen-related side effects because it’s a newer version of synthetic oestrogen, which replicates natural oestrogen hormones much more

All contraceptive pills have varying qualities that may be more suitable for you. The effectiveness can depend on a range of factors from person to person. Informing your doctor on your medical and family history in addition to raising concerns will allow them to suggest the most suitable pregnancy prevention method.