Qlaira
Book a quick face-to-face video consultation with a certified prescribing pharmacist, nurse, or doctor. If approved, your Qlaira will be prescribed* and delivered straight to your door with free next-day delivery†. No hidden fees. No delays. Just expert care.
* Includes Free Private Prescription & Consultation.
† Applies to UK only.
Other Related Treatments
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Qlaira Key Facts
Other Related Names or Treatments
Microgynon 30 ED, Levest, Rigevidon
About Qlaira
Qlaira is a combined hormonal contraceptive used to provide protection against pregnancy. It contains dienogest, a progesterone and estradiol valerate, an oestrogen as its active ingredients.
Qlaira works by stopping the release of an egg each month from the ovaries, preventing ovulation during the menstrual cycle. It also makes cervical mucus thicker, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix, and makes the lining of the womb thinner, so fertilised eggs are less likely to implant in the uterus wall.
NowPatient offers the Qlaira birth control pills for the prevention of pregnancy only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.
Key facts of Qlaira
- For the prevention of pregnancy
- There is no evidence that the Qlaira causes weight gain
- Qlaira has some common side effects which include headache and migraine
- It can be dangerous if you take Qlaira with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
- Qlaira will not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Who is Qlaira not suitable for?
Qlaira may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Qlaira if you:
- Are allergic to the active ingredients dienogest or estradiol valerate, or inactive ingredients such as lactose
- Have ever had a blood clot in the leg or lungs
- Have a family history of heart attacks or stroke
- Have ever had angina or transient ischaemic attack
- Suffer from migraines with aura
- Have a liver disease or any other liver problems
- Have kidney failure
- Have ever had breast cancer or cancer of the cervix, vagina or uterus
- Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Have suffered from jaundice, pemphigoid gestationis (a rash involving blisters of the hands and feet), or pruritus while pregnant
- Have a family history of breast cancer
- Have diabetes
- Have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Have haemolytic uraemic syndrome, high blood cholesterol, or sickle cell anaemia
- Have epilepsy
- Have systemic lupus erythematosus
How and where to get Qlaira?
You can buy Qlaira safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.
Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for a contraceptive, you can discuss if Qlaira is a suitable treatment option for you.
At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.
Dosage and strength for Qlaira for contraception
Qlaira contains:
- 2 dark yellow tablets containing 3 mg estradiol valerate
- 5 light red tablets containing 2 mg estradiol valerate and 2 mg dienogest
- 17 light yellow tablets containing 2 mg estradiol valerate and 3 mg dienogest
- 2 dark red tablets containing 1 mg estradiol valerate
- 2 white inactive pills
Information about how to take Qlaira for contraception
Take 1 tablet daily at the same time each day. Each strip will contain 26 active tablets and 2 white inactive tablets. Choose the weekday sticker that starts with the day you begin taking Qlaira. Follow the arrow on the wallet until all 28 tablets have been taken. Start the next strip the next day. You may have withdrawal bleeding when you take the second dark red tablet or the white tablets.
If you forget to take a Qlaira tablet, take the missed pill as soon as you are able to do so. You will need to use extra precautions such as a condom for the next 7 days. Also, read the patient information leaflet or speak to your healthcare provider if you need further medical advice.
What happens if you take too much Qlaira?
If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much Qlaira and you experience any of the following side effects.
What are the side effects of Qlaira?
Side effects of Qlaira are split into common and serious.
Common side effects include:
- Breast tenderness
- Breast pain
- Weight changes
- Irregular bleeding
- Mood changes
- Headache and migraine
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Vaginal discharge
- Vaginal thrush
- High blood pressure
- Hair loss
Serious side effects include:
- Increased risk of blood clots
- Cervical cancer
If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.
If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.
- Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
- Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
- Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- Someone faints and cannot be woken up
Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient
Information about taking Qlaira at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements
There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Qlaira. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements or other medications such as:
- Epilepsy treatments – phenytoin or carbamazepine
- Rifampicin
- HIV medicines – ritonavir
- Hepatitis C medicines – telaprevir or boceprevir
- Antifungal medicines – ketoconazole or griseofulvin
- St John’s Wort
- Medicines for high blood pressure, chest pain or irregular heartbeats – diltiazem or verapamil
Why might Qlaira not work for contraception?
Qlaira may not work for you and common reasons may be:
- Missed pills
- Taking other medicines that interfere with Qlaira
- Qlaira not being absorbed due to vomiting and diarrhoea
Can Qlaira taken for contraception be taken long term?
Using medication like Qlaira is safe, provided your doctor has approved it. You should speak to your doctor when deciding to stay on hormonal contraception long term.
Is there a herbal Qlaira?
No. Herbal Qlaira does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.
Can women use Qlaira?
Women can take Qlaira for contraception, but it is not advised when breast-feeding. Speak to your doctor if you are considering taking Qlaira while you are breast-feeding.
Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Qlaira?
You can eat and drink normally when taking Qlaira.
Alternatives to Qlaira
Alternative methods of contraception include:
- Implants
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Oral birth control pills (combined oral contraceptive pill and progestogen only pill)
- Vaginal rings
- Barrier method – condoms, diaphragms
- Tubal ligation and vasectomy
- Emergency contraception
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
Related Articles
FAQs
Answers to Popular Questions About Qlaira
What is Qlaira?
Qlaira is a combined oral contraceptive pill with a unique four-phasic regimen. It contains estradiol valerate (a natural oestrogen) and dienogest (a progestogen). Unlike most combined pills that use ethinylestradiol (a synthetic oestrogen), Qlaira uses estradiol valerate, which is closer to the body’s natural oestrogen. The four-phasic design means hormone doses change across the 28-day pack. Qlaira is also licensed for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia). It is manufactured by Bayer and is prescription-only.
How does Qlaira work?
Qlaira works by suppressing ovulation and altering the endometrial lining. The four-phasic design adjusts hormone doses throughout the cycle to maintain contraceptive efficacy while minimising oestrogen exposure. Estradiol valerate is converted to oestradiol (identical to natural oestrogen) in the body. Dienogest is a progestogen with anti-androgenic properties and has a pronounced effect on the endometrium, which is why Qlaira is particularly effective at reducing heavy menstrual bleeding — clinical trials showed a 70–80% reduction in menstrual blood loss.
Is Qlaira good for heavy periods?
Yes, Qlaira is one of only two combined oral contraceptives licensed in the UK specifically for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding (the other being a pill containing nomegestrol/estradiol). Clinical studies demonstrated that Qlaira reduced menstrual blood loss by 70–80%, with many women experiencing much lighter and shorter withdrawal bleeds. It is an excellent option for women who want both contraception and effective management of heavy periods.
How do I take Qlaira?
Qlaira comes in a 28-tablet pack with no pill-free break. The pack contains tablets of different colours reflecting the four phases: dark yellow (days 1–2: estradiol valerate 3 mg), medium red (days 3–7: estradiol valerate 2 mg + dienogest 2 mg), light yellow (days 8–24: estradiol valerate 2 mg + dienogest 3 mg), dark red (days 25–26: estradiol valerate 1 mg), and white (days 27–28: inactive/placebo). Take one tablet daily at the same time, in the order shown on the blister. Start the next pack immediately after finishing the current one with no break.
What happens if I miss a Qlaira pill?
Missed pill rules for Qlaira are more complex than for conventional 21-day pills because of the four-phasic regimen. In general: if you miss an inactive (white) tablet, discard it and continue as normal. If you miss an active tablet by less than 12 hours, take it as soon as possible and continue normally. If you miss an active tablet by more than 12 hours, or miss multiple tablets, follow the specific guidance in the patient information leaflet as the rules vary depending on which phase of the pack you are in. Use condoms for 9 days if additional precautions are needed.
What are the side effects of Qlaira?
Common side effects include headache, nausea, breast pain, acne, irregular bleeding (especially in the first few cycles), mood changes, and weight changes. Because Qlaira uses natural oestrogen rather than synthetic ethinylestradiol, some women find it better tolerated. However, breakthrough bleeding is more common in the first 3 months compared to conventional pills. The VTE risk is believed to be similar to other combined pills but data specific to estradiol valerate/dienogest are limited.
Who should not take Qlaira?
Qlaira has the same general contraindications as other combined pills: history of VTE, arterial thrombosis, or stroke; migraine with aura; uncontrolled hypertension; smokers aged over 35; breast cancer; and severe liver disease. Your prescriber will assess your eligibility using standard UKMEC criteria. Qlaira should not be used by women with known or suspected sex steroid-dependent malignancies.
How can I get Qlaira?
Qlaira is available on NHS prescription from your GP, gynaecologist, or contraception clinic. It can also be prescribed through online services like NowPatient. Your prescriber will check blood pressure, BMI, and medical history. NowPatient offers online contraceptive consultations with home delivery.
Experienced a Side Effect?
Report to Yellow Card (UK) or MedWatch (US)
Report to
OUR CUSTOMERS VIEW
What Customers Love About Our Service
We want everyone to be happy and healthy, that’s what keeps us going. Read what some of them have to say about us.
Medicines Experts
Meet Our Medical Team
We are a broad skilled and passionate group of clinicians with experience of operating in health systems in the United Kingdom & United States. Providing excellent care and advice is at the heart of everything we do. You can read more about our medical team by visiting the medical team page or learn more about how we curate content by visiting our editorial process
Daniel Cheung
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber
Monica Khosla
Medical Writer
Ketan Patel
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber
Rajive Patel
Medical Writer
Aseel Hamoud Bedan
Hospital Consultant
Jamie Winn
Pharmacist
Stefano Mirabello
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber
Ihtesham Sabri
Medical Director
Amish Patel
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber
DeLon Canterbury
Pharmacist
Navin Khosla
Pharmacist