How to get your Alesse® medication filled online

Take Alesse tablets orally, every day at approximately the same time of day. The tablets should be taken in order.

You may start the pill on any day of your cycle, but you should use backup birth control (like condoms) for two weeks until the pill becomes effective. If you miss a pill, please refer to this website from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada about what to do next:

Alesse is a combination pill containing a combination of estrogen and progestin. Pills containing both hormones are called combined estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives (COCs), which people generally refer to when they talk about “the pill.” 

Alesse is considered a low-dose COC and a safe and reliable contraceptive for most women. It contains 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol, a synthetic estrogen, and a progestin – levonorgestrel. The low dose doesn’t make Alesse any less effective than higher-dose oral contraceptive pills. 

The low estrogen content in Alesse can be beneficial for people experiencing side effects such as headaches, nausea,  mood changes, and breast tenderness. However, it’s worth noting that a low dose of estrogen can also increase the risk that you will experience spotting. Spotting, also known as breakthrough bleeding, is light vaginal bleeding that occurs between periods. 

Higher dose estrogen pills, such as Mirvala, can be a good alternative if you experience spotting on Alesse. Different COCs also contain different types of progestin. Through discussion with your healthcare practitioner and trial and error, you can determine if Alesse is a good choice.

There are many different options for birth control. You can read learn more about deciding which birth control option is right for you here.

Birth control pills such as Alesse work by inhibiting the monthly release of an egg (or eggs) by the ovaries. Some studies have demonstrated changes in the endometrium (lining of the womb) and mucus produced by the cervix (opening of the uterus) with the use of birth control pills.

Alesse is a birth control pill containing two sex hormones (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol).

You should not take Alesse if you are pregnant. In addition, if you have experienced any of the following conditions: Blood clotting disorders, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, breast disease, circulation problems, migraine with aura, or unexplained vaginal bleeding.

Smokers over 35 should not take Alesse.

Absolutely. Our online assessments have been designed to ask all the necessary questions required for diagnosis. We’ve worked with specialists to create an assessment process that can provide sufficient information for the healthcare practitioner to determine whether or not you are eligible for a prescription and craft an appropriate treatment plan.

No. Felix provides a faster, hassle-free way for you to get a treatment plan for certain conditions, but our service does not replace your primary care provider. For matters that extend beyond obtaining a lifestyle treatment safely and easily, we encourage you to consult your primary health practitioner in person — whether for checkups, personal health concerns, or to inform them about your current treatments or treatment plans.

Call 911 or proceed to your nearest emergency room immediately. Felix is not intended for medical emergencies. Once the emergency has been addressed or resolved, contact your prescribing practitioner to inform them of your experience as this may impact your current treatment plan.

Felix is Canada’s first truly integrated healthcare platform. We provide on-demand treatment for everyday health needs like weight loss, mental health, sexual health, and more. Founded in 2019, our digital-first approach to healthcare includes everything from diagnosis to prescription — all accessible from the comfort of home.

Anyone who is 18 years or older (16 or older for acne and birth control prescriptions), and is located in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan or Ontario. We cannot ship treatments outside of these provinces at this time.

No. A visit with a licensed healthcare practitioner is required for all treatments currently provided through Felix’s service.

No. We use an asynchronous telemedicine model so you can complete your online visit in your own time and we save your progress so you can come back later to finish it.

If you are completing a visit in the mental health or weight loss categories, your healthcare practitioner may require a phone or video call to discuss your medical profile further during the assessment process.

Most assessments do not require a phone or video conversation. Once a prescriber has reviewed the info in your assessment they will respond to you via secure instant messages that you can access within your Felix account.  

If you are completing a visit in the mental health or weight loss categories, your healthcare practitioner may require a phone or video call to discuss your medical profile further during the assessment process.

After creating an account, you will complete a medical assessment for evaluation by one of the Felix healthcare practitioners. 

During your assessment, you will have the opportunity to send your practitioner questions via secure messaging.  

In most cases, practitioners will complete your assessment with secure messaging alone but sometimes they may determine you require an audio or video visit and/or further diagnostic testing to help determine the best treatment plan for you. 

If your practitioner has determined a prescription treatment is appropriate, they will approve your visit and write you a prescription. Our pharmacy will then ship your prescription to your home.

You’ll be able to message your healthcare practitioner if you have questions or want to make changes to your treatment at any time.

You can expect to receive a response from a healthcare practitioner within 24 hours of submission. If you’ve been waiting longer than this, please reach out to our Patient Support team through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page.

Great, you’ve already taken the first step! Next, a healthcare practitioner will review your assessment and if necessary, will send you a link to book an online audio or video appointment with them. This appointment will help them determine the best treatment plan for you. If your healthcare practitioner thinks you will benefit from an available medication, they will write you a prescription. Our pharmacy can ship your medication to your home if you would like your medication dispensed through the Felix Pharmacy network.

A signature upon delivery may be required.

Your address can be updated from the Shipping tab of your account. Kindly note that any changes need to be made 48hr ahead of your refill date.

Not long. After completing your assessment, a practitioner will generally respond within 24 hours, and often much sooner.

The pharmacy will process and fill your prescription within 2-3 business days of your prescription approval date if there is nothing blocking them from doing so.

All packages are shipped via Express Post, which usually takes 2-3 business days. You will receive an email with your tracking number once your treatment has been shipped.

You have 14 days from the date your tracking link was sent to notify us of an undelivered or lost package, or damaged medication.

There is currently no cost to have your medication sent to you from our Felix Pharmacy network.

There is currently no cost to have your treatment shipped to you from our Felix Pharmacy network.

Your tracking number will be activated when the courier picks up your shipment from the pharmacy. Please allow until 6 pm the following business day, and you should then be able to see the status of your package. If the tracking number still isn’t working, please reach out to our Patient Support team through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page and we’ll look into it.

Absolutely. All Felix shipments arrive in a nondescript blister package so you can have your treatment shipped wherever makes sense for you as long as there is someone there to sign for it.

We’ll contact you via email if your package is returned to us!

For most treatments, your meds will be destroyed 1 month after your fill date should you fail to respond to Felix Customer Support or contact the partner pharmacy. Temperature controlled medications may have a reduced reshipment eligibility window due to their limited shelf life, in accordance with product guidelines. All reshipments are at the discretion of a pharmacist’s professional judgment.

If you require assistance with a returned package, please reach out to our Patient Support team through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page.

Depending on your province of residence and the treatment being dispensed, your Felix packages may require a signature on delivery. If this cannot be collected where necessary, your package will be available at the closest post office for pick up. Usually, packages are available for up to 14 days after the first attempted delivery. If you don’t pick up your package within the allotted time, it will be returned to the sender, which may cause a further delay in your delivery.

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Status updates for your prescription will appear in the Upcoming tab. You’ll be able to see if your prescription is being processed by our pharmacists or if it’s en route for delivery.

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Refill schedule (drug dependent)

• Monthly: refill is processed approx. every 20 to 23 days
• Every 2 months: refill is processed approx. every 50 to 53 days
• Every 3 months: refill is processed approx. every 76 to 84 days

Yes, the pharmacy will process your prescription to account for any expected delays due to the holiday season.

We are happy to facilitate a release of your medical records with Felix to your primary care provider. Please send a request message through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page, and our clinical operations team will be happy to help.

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Your privacy is our top priority. All your data is 256 bit SSL/TLS encrypted, and we take significant steps to keep your data secure. You can read our Privacy Policy for more information. 

Yes, your security is paramount to Felix’s mission. Personal health information provided during your medical assessment is strictly and legally confidential between you and the Felix healthcare practitioner.

Beyond that, all your account information (including the medical assessment, credit card, and shipping information, etc.) is also stored safely and securely. Felix is compliant with all federal and provincial health privacy legislation. It is our duty to protect your data with comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies to ensure it stays private and secure.

Read more on our Privacy Policy.

Yes! In Canada, only a licensed healthcare practitioner can write a prescription, and only a registered pharmacist can fill that prescription. We are supported by leaders in the Canadian pharmacology and specialized medical fields. Felix adheres strictly to all the regulations set forth by all applicable Colleges of Pharmacists and Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons in which we operate.

Absolutely. All prescriptions obtained via Felix are provided by licensed Canadian healthcare practitioners—the same as you would get at a hospital, doctor’s office, or clinic. These practitioners do not provide prescriptions unless they deem it medically safe and appropriate to write them based on your medical profile and assessment answers. Our assessments have been crafted by the practitioners on our medical team. Finally, all Felix Pharmacies are provincially accredited just like any retail pharmacy.

Go to Billing, and you will be able to update the credit card information on file.

The cost of the checkup visit varies by category, but in many cases there is no charge, so long as you complete your checkup visit before your current prescription expires.

Felix charges a fee for the online visit. In most cases the fee is $40 but varies by treatment category. The visit fee includes a prescription valid for up to a year (depending on the condition) and on-going support from the healthcare practitioner or pharmacist.

It depends. Treatment costs vary but will be in line with what you would pay at a pharmacy in person. You will see the estimated cost of your treatment before insurance, during the online visit but will only be billed for medication costs for your prescription once it is approved and sent to our pharmacy. Once approved, your treatment and payment will be processed within one to two days.

Keep in mind that you won’t necessarily need to pay the full price yourself. If you have insurance, Felix’s partner pharmacies will bill your insurer directly. You may also be eligible for financial support in your province.

We accept all major credit cards for any aspect of your treatment not covered by insurance or other financial support

While it is illegal in Canada to display market pricing for prescription medication, you will be able to see the estimated cost of medication during the online visit. The price shown is an estimation and will vary if the healthcare practitioner prescribes you a different medication, or if you have insurance or benefits coverage. All estimated prices shown during the online visit include the pharmacy fill fee based on the refill schedule of your choice.

Yes, the visit fee is charged when you submit your visit and is generally refunded if the visit is denied by your healthcare practitioner.
Exceptions apply: Weight Loss visit fees are refunded only if you are deemed clinically ineligible. Visit fees for Diagnostic categories (Metabolic Health, STIs) and Menopause are non-refundable. For these complex health categories, the visit fee covers the practitioner’s time to review your medical assessment, issuing a lab requisition, reviewing your lab results with you, and making a diagnosis if applicable.

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Treatment coverage varies greatly between different insurance plans.

The good news is that if you are covered, Felix can bill your insurer directly, and then process your treatment plan at no additional cost to you. We recommend that you upload your private and/or provincial benefit card during the online visit so that our pharmacy partner can apply any coverage you are eligible for before processing your treatment plan.

Insurance coverage for treatment plans through Felix doesn’t include the cost of your visit.

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Go to Billing where you can add or update your insurance information on file.

You will find the official receipt for your medication costs within your package from the pharmacy. This receipt can be used to submit a manual claim directly to your insurance/benefits provider. Future refills will be direct-billed directly to your insurance provider, once you have uploaded your insurance information from the Billing tab of your account.

The coverage you are eligible for will not be deducted until the pharmacy processes your refill, so the price you see in your profile is the estimated maximum medication cost before benefits. Once the pharmacy ships your meds, the actual cost will be displayed for the respective refill.

OHIP+ covers some birth control for eligible residents of Ontario who are under 25 years old and do not have private insurance. You can check if your birth control medication is covered here. Make sure to upload your Ontario health card during your online visit so our pharmacy partners can apply your coverage directly.

Medication coverage varies greatly between different plans, provinces, and has specific criteria that determine eligibility. For private insurance, we recommend contacting your benefits administrator with your details and the Drug Identification Number (DIN) and the drug name to determine your coverage.

For more details on provincial health plan coverage see below:

Alberta: Learn more about AHCIP here. Search for covered drugs here.

British Columbia: Learn more about MSP here. Search for covered drugs here.

Manitoba: Learn more about MHSIP here. Search for covered drugs here.

Newfoundland and Labrador: Learn more about MCP here. Search for covered drugs here.

Nova Scotia: Learn more about MSI here. Search for covered drugs here.

Ontario: Learn more about OHIP+ here. Search for covered drugs here.

Prince Edward Island: Learn more about Health PEI here. Search for covered drugs here.

Saskatchewan: Learn more about Saskatchewan Health Coverage here. Search for covered drugs here.‍

A Felix online visit is considered asynchronous since it is conveniently completed through a secure chat bases system. Currently, asynchronous visits are not covered by insurance or provincial health plans so you will be charged a visit fee, depending on the category of treatment you are requesting.

Treatment coverage varies greatly between different plans, provinces, and has specific criteria that determine eligibility. For private insurance, we recommend contacting your benefits administrator with your details and the information associated with your treatment. 

For more details on provincial health plan coverage see below:

Alberta: Learn more about AHCIP here. Search for covered treatments here.

British Columbia: Learn more about MSP here. Search for covered treatments here.

Manitoba: Learn more about MHSIP here. Search for covered drugs here.

Newfoundland and Labrador: Learn more about MCP here. Search for covered treatments here.

Nova Scotia: Learn more about MSI here. Search for covered treatments here.

Ontario: Learn more about OHIP+ here. Search for covered treatments here.

Prince Edward Island: Learn more about Health PEI here. Search for covered treatments here.

Saskatchewan: Learn more about Saskatchewan Health Coverage here. Search for covered treatments here.

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Yes, but at the discretion of our medical team. Please submit your insurance request form here. If the healthcare practitioner agrees to complete the form, a $35 fee per insurance form will apply.

Read more here for full details about the Insurance Special Authorization Form process.

If you run into any issues, please reach out to our Patient Support team through the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your account or our Contact Us page.

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