What are the side effects of alyacen 1 35?

October 9, 2025 •

3 min read

Combination oral contraceptives are a highly effective method of birth control. When considering this option, it's vital to ask, 'What are the side effects of Alyacen 1/35?' to make an informed decision about your health.

Quick Summary

An overview of potential side effects from Alyacen 1/35, a contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. Covers common, severe, and long-term effects, plus management tips.

Key Points

What it is: Alyacen 1/35 is a combination oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone to prevent pregnancy.
Common Side Effects: Nausea, headaches, breast tenderness, bloating, and irregular bleeding are frequently reported, especially in the first few months.
Serious Risks: The most significant risks include blood clots, heart attack, and stroke, particularly in women who smoke and are over 35.
When to Call a Doctor: Seek immediate medical attention for symptoms like chest pain, severe headache, sudden vision changes, or pain and swelling in one leg.
Smoking Increases Risk: Smoking dramatically raises the risk of serious cardiovascular events and is strongly advised against while using this medication.
Management: Many common side effects lessen after the first few months. Taking the pill with food can help with nausea.
Consultation is Key: A thorough discussion of your medical history with a healthcare provider is essential before starting Alyacen 1/35.

What is Alyacen 1/35?

Alyacen 1/35 is a combination oral contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy. It contains two hormones: a progestin (norethindrone) and an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol). These hormones primarily prevent ovulation by stopping the release of an egg from an ovary. They also affect the cervical mucus and uterine lining. In addition to contraception, Alyacen 1/35 can help regulate periods, reduce menstrual blood loss and pain, lower the risk of ovarian cysts, and treat acne.

Common Side Effects of Alyacen 1/35

Many individuals using Alyacen 1/35 do not experience serious side effects, and some minor effects may subside within a few months.

Common side effects can include:

Nausea and Vomiting
Headaches
Breast tenderness
Bloating and Stomach Cramps
Weight changes or fluid retention
Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting, particularly in the first three months
Mood changes, such as new or worsened depression or anxiety
Difficulty wearing contact lenses

Serious Side Effects: When to Seek Medical Attention

While rare, combination birth control pills can lead to serious health issues. Awareness of these risks and seeking immediate medical help for certain symptoms is crucial.

Warning: Smoking significantly increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptives, especially for women over 35 and those who smoke heavily. Women using oral contraceptives should not smoke.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as:

Signs of a blood clot, like pain, swelling, or warmth in a leg; sudden shortness of breath; chest pain; or coughing up blood.
Signs of a stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, or vision/balance problems.
Signs of a heart attack, including chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, nausea, or sweating.
Liver problems, indicated by severe stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice.
Severe or worsening headaches/migraines.
Breast lumps.
Severe mood changes or depression.

Comparison of Common vs. Serious Side Effects


Feature	Common Side Effects	Serious Side Effects (Require Immediate Attention)
General Feeling	Often mild and may subside over time (e.g., nausea, mild headache).	Sudden, severe, and debilitating (e.g., crushing chest pain, sudden vision loss).
Cardiovascular	Minor increase in blood pressure.	Signs of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots in the legs or lungs.
Neurological	Mild to moderate headaches.	Sudden, severe headache; confusion; slurred speech; vision changes.
Gastrointestinal	Nausea, bloating, cramps.	Severe abdominal pain, yellowing of skin/eyes (jaundice).
Mood	Mood swings, irritability.	Severe depression, thoughts of self-harm.

Managing and Long-Term Considerations

To manage common side effects like nausea, taking the pill with food or at bedtime may help. Many initial side effects improve within the first 3-4 cycles. If any side effect persists or worsens, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Long-term use of oral contraceptives is linked to an increased risk of serious conditions like blood clots, stroke, heart attack, and rarely, liver tumors. The risk of blood clots is highest in the first year of use and after restarting following a break of four weeks or more. Conversely, oral contraceptives can decrease the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider, typically every 6 to 12 months, are important to monitor blood pressure and discuss your health.

Before taking Alyacen 1/35, share your complete medical history with your doctor, especially if you have a history of blood clots, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, migraines, or liver or kidney disease. This medication does not protect against STIs like HIV.

Conclusion

Alyacen 1/35 is an effective contraceptive with potential side effects ranging from common to rare and serious. Understanding these effects is key to using the medication safely. Maintaining open communication with your healthcare provider, promptly reporting symptoms, and attending regular check-ups are the best ways to ensure the benefits of Alyacen 1/35 are appropriate for you.

For more detailed information, consult the patient information leaflet or the FDA's drug label information on DailyMed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many of the more common, minor side effects like nausea, spotting, and breast tenderness tend to lessen or disappear after the first three to four months of use as your body adjusts. However, if side effects persist or are severe, you should consult your doctor.

Weight change is a possible side effect. Some of this may be due to fluid retention, which is often temporary. While user reviews are mixed, some report weight gain.

If you miss a dose, you should refer to the patient information leaflet that comes with the medication, as instructions can vary. You may need to use a backup birth control method, such as condoms, to prevent pregnancy.

No, Alyacen 1/35 does not protect against STDs, including HIV. To protect against STDs, a barrier method like condoms should be used.

Women who are over 35 and smoke should not take this medication. It is also contraindicated for those with a history of blood clots, stroke, heart attack, certain types of cancer (like breast or endometrial), severe migraines, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or liver disease.

Yes, new or worsening depression and other mood changes are listed as potential side effects. Some users report experiencing depression, anxiety, and severe mood swings. If you experience serious mood changes, you should contact your doctor.

Alyacen 1/35 is itself a generic version of birth control pills that contain 1 mg of norethindrone and 0.035 mg of ethinyl estradiol. Other brand and generic names with the same active ingredients include Nortrel 1/35, Pirmella 1/35, and Dasetta 1/35.