Health Canada sends warning to women taking Alesse birth control

Health Canada is warning women who take Alesse 21 and 28 that the birth control may be ineffective due to broken or smaller-than-normal pills.

The following products fall under the warning:

“The blister packages for both contained an active (pink) pill that was roughly half the proper size,” said Health Canada in a statement.

Alesse 28 with broken pill/ Health Canada

Health Canada advises women taking Alesse to do the following:

Check your pills before and after taking them out of the blister package. Do not consume a pill if it looks unusual. Examine both sides of each pill thoroughly for anything unusual before taking it (such as, a different (paler) colour, jagged edges, or the pill is broken or smaller than normal). It may not be immediately obvious from looking at the blister package that there is a problem with the pills, as the underside of the pill cannot be seen while in the blister pack.
If you have a package with an unusual pill, return it to your pharmacy for a replacement package.
Do not stop taking your birth control pills as this may result in pregnancy. If you have questions or concerns about your birth control product, talk to a health care professional, including about alternatives. Talk to a health care professional if you have any questions or concerns about your birth control product.

Report any unusual packages to Pfizer Canada and to Health Canada.