A Warning About Your Birth Control

qnzmami718
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 12:48 pm: [report]

i am so glad you wrote this, youre totally right! i just switched from ortho tri-cyclen lo to tri-lo sprintec and have also noticed changes. not anything as serious as hives or anything but i have noticed weight gain/bloating and a change in size and tenderness in my breasts. also ive been really moody, apparently ive become a ‘psycho bitch.’ i mentioned this to my pharmacist and my doctor and both treated me like i was crazy, saying that sprintec was the ‘exact same thing’ as the ortho tri cyclen and that it was ‘all in my head..’

qnzmami718
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 12:51 pm: [report]

i forgot to mention that wen i got on the ortho like a year and a half ago, i never experienced ANY side effects. no weight gain, mood change, no weird periods, nothing. i even got off it for a little while and the doctor said i might experience some side effects when i got back on - nothing. no side effects. ortho is the best BCP ive taken, sprintec is NOT the same!

QTKT
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 12:53 pm: [report]

I had a friend in med school once tell me that while the ingredients may be the “same,” the way the drug was made is not. The ingredients in brand name drugs have been prepared in different ways and added together in specific sequences to make the drug. Generics cut these corners, even though they essentially have the “same” stuff. I don’t know how true this statement was, but she was switching to pharmacology.

My gyno always writes on my Rx, “brand only.” That way I know and my pharmacist knows what I should be getting.

Jenn27549
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 12:54 pm: [report]

Wendy, please see your doctor ASAP.  The symptoms you are describing are allergic reactions, and while the active ingredients in the two may be the same the “filler” product is not that that is usually what causes those types of things to occur.  If you are actually, legitimately allergic to the generic your doctor can see to it that you get the brand.  Your insurance company can’t force you to take medication you are allergic to.

My insurance company also switched me to generic years ago out of nowhere.  I didn’t really have side effects but I did start spotting ALL THE TIME.  I went back to brand and it stopped.  I continued to pay the difference in order to stay on the brand.  That wasn’t a “legit” enough reason for the insurance companies, but being allergic is.

QTKT
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 12:57 pm: [report]

Plus, if your doctor is telling you, “you’re crazy” then it’s time to find a new doctor! I love my doctors! I’ve found the best people. I always make sure they something along the lines of “you know your body best” in our first meeting. Otherwise, it’s on to someone else.

peeps1313
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 01:03 pm: [report]

I dont care how this sounds…I’m glad I’m fixed!

tigerstripe
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 01:04 pm: [report]

This sounds awful!  I also switched from OTC to TLS a few months ago but luckily I haven’t noticed any changes… if anything, I’ve actually become less moody.  Still though, people can tell what is happening in their own bodies, regardless of what doctors try to tell them.

retro chic
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 01:11 pm: [report]

Exaaactly. Goes for all generic med conversions from the pharma’s original patented formulations. The inactive ingredients are the killers.

The FDA standards are so low or skewed already, this is just more of the same sad norm – the greed of insurance companies and pharma patents system = unhealthy and unfair to us… The ones who have to ingest and live with the long term effects of this stuff. We consumers are their bipedal guinea pigs, with the added bonus mfgrs get paid in the bargain.

I don’t think generic mfgrs have to test for effects of reformulations, either. In fact, that’s why they nix the word “reformulation.” Retesting would be required. As you said, the legal language of what’s considered inert or inactive allows them to dodge that bullet.

powplz
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 01:17 pm: [report]

Open enrollment at my office is an exercise in biting my tongue off because of things like this.  Fortunately, they didn’t make that switch while I was still on OTC-Lo (not sure if they ever did, switched to an iud in May), but they spat out the same line of bs when I questioned the detriments of forcing people to change to different drugs on a whim - “genereics are exactly the same.”  They also don’t view contraception as a maintenence drug. 

My theory is that insurance companies want you to get pregnant because then you’ll have to buy a policy for your kid(s) as well and they can just rake that much more money in.

tabby
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 01:34 pm: [report]

My mom has been a pharmacist for the last thirty years and she would tell you to stop taking anything that is giving you an allergic reaction immediately. She would also never condone telling a patient that they are making up their symptoms after a change in medication. If your health provider isn’t listening to you, then you need to drop them immediately. I hope you find a new birth control that won’t make you sick.

Lynn
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 01:35 pm: [report]

I mentioned in your other article that switching from brand name to generic was a bad idea for me - I wasn’t on the Lo versions but I did switch from OTC to Tri Sprintec and that’s when I started being super emotional. I switched back to OTC because it is totally worth it - an extra $30 a month to keep myself from going crazy? No contest!

Also - uh, why can’t you just switch back to the BCP you were OK on? You’ll be paying a lot more than $60 a month to care for the baby you get by giving up birth control.

Melania
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 01:37 pm: [report]

After i had my daughter, the doctors put me on the pill.  I had taken it as a teen, with side effects, but they assured me that it was a low dose and ok. 
2 days after i started taking the pill i had tiny bubbles raise under the palms of my hands.  This was the start of years of hell.  My skin ripped open due to the bubbles, i lost finger nails, my ear lobes opened up (there is alot more detail, but we wont go there).  I went to dermatologist after dermatologist, all they could offer was to put me in a medical text book!.  Finally i said to my parter that i was going off the pill.  One hand cleared up, and most of my ears and head. 
It was only years later that i am now told that a small percentage of the population reacts to the pill.  I wish i had of known that when i still had fingerprints!

*sam*
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 01:42 pm: [report]

I was on ortho for the longest time and then when off of it when my ex and I broke up (decided I wasn’t the prime candidate for an immaculate conception, so I didn’t see the point in spending the extra money for it each month) and when I got together w/ my curren SO, I decided to go back on it. My lady doc really pushed the Lo version on me, and it didn’t really matter to me what I was taking so long as it did it’s job. Well, like everyone else, my insurance wouldn’t pay for the name brand, so I had to go on the generic. I’d been on the generic previously and I was fine. No terrible side effects, no irregular periods, nothing. Then one month I went to refill my Rx and realized that it wasn’t the same thing so I asked the pharmacist. She told me that the company that had been making the generic went out of business, so now they had to switch to a different generic brand, the Tri-Lo-Sprintec. Again, I didn’t really care so long as it worked. However, unlike the name brand or even the previous generic brand, I’m all kinds of moody and emotional. I’ve gained *far* more weight than I had before and have even skipped periods and had some *very* odd ones as well. I never really thought too much about this until I read this, so, thank you. Unfortunately though, I don’t have insurance or enough money to pay full price for the name brand, so I’m stuck going to wal mart for my $9 generics. At least it works and I’m not breaking out in hives like others..

*sam*
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 01:45 pm: [report]

@Melania: that’s terrible!! I’m sorry that happened to you. Although, now that you don’t have fingerprints, you could always take up a life of crime and rob the company blind.

just kidding.

Melania
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 01:53 pm: [report]

I know, i should if i wasnt such a clutz.

whatsername
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 02:18 pm: [report]

I agree with tabby: if your pharmacist or doctor is telling you you’re “crazy,” GET A NEW ONE. I’m a student pharmacist right now and it’s really hurtful to hear people demoralizing my future profession. There are plenty of well-informed, caring health professionals out there so please don’t lump all of us in with the bad seeds!

bethlynn00 mentioned reporting to the FDA and here’s how: it’s called MedWatch and this link is direct to their reporting form.

MedWatch form

Whether you think your side-effects are serious or mild, report them anyways! The more the industry knows about medications, the better health professionals can help people!

FloraPoste
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 02:27 pm: [report]

In almost every case, I have had poor reactions to the “generic” prescription pills I’ve tried.  I asked my father-in-law physician why this was, and he says it’s because a certain amount of impurities are allowed into them that the name brands wouldn’t allow in their pills.  I was like, “What kind of impurities?” and he said I didn’t want to know.  I always make the doctor check the box for the name brand now, even though they’re more expensive.

Raugiel
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 02:39 pm: [report]

Thank you for writing this! Everyone, but especially women, need to know that we need to be agressive with our doctors. It is OUR health. WE are in charge!

Natalie W
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 02:43 pm: [report]

Thank god you wrote this. I had the same experience.

megpants
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 03:06 pm: [report]

I am really interested to read about this. I’ve been on the pill for about 8 years or so, and during that time I’ve taken many different versions. I’d been taking Yasmin for many years and I really liked it. Under my school health insurance, Yasmin was one of the most expensive options (or maybe it wasn’t even an option), so my RN recommended I switch to Tri-Sprintec. I’ve been taking it for about a year. I hadn’t given it a lot of thought until reading this article, but for the past year I’m pretty sure the bloating, swollen breasts, and headaches that I experience around the time of my period are WAY worse. I already have large breasts for my frame, and I’ve been so frustrated lately that around my period my bras don’t even fit.

If so many women are experiencing negative side effects, why aren’t we being fully warned of these ahead of time? It actually kind of frightens me that there might be far worse side effects resulting from long-term use that no one is hearing about. It doesn’t make any sense.

Thanks for writing about this, Wendy.

Lynn
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 03:08 pm: [report]

@FloraPoste - yikes. I have a lot of health problems so I’m on a lot of medications…makes me wonder what I’m putting into my body! I wish he told you specifics!

Wendy Atterberry
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 03:12 pm: [report]

To everyone who asked why I don’t go back on the BC that didn’t give me so many problems — I AM going to go back on! I only just put it all together over the weekend that it was the generic pill giving my hives (I’ve NEVER had this side effect on any Rx before) as well as the weight gain, etc. I immediately quit the generic as soon as I figured out I was having an allergic reaction to it. I only wrote this to warn others.

Since Tri-Lo Sprintec was recently approved by the FDA, I figured many other women might also find themselves suddenly informed by their insurance companies that their name brand Pill is no longer covered. If you have the option to switch to the generic, keep in mind all the negative reviews that have been reported. Don’t be surprised if you experience any side effects that you didn’t on the name brand.

erinsaurus
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 03:15 pm: [report]

That really sucks.

I actually had the opposite effect.  While I wasn’t on Ortho, I used a different name brand and had all sorts of effects and then when I switched to the generic, I had no problems.

Faferdo
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 03:16 pm: [report]

Thank you so so so very much for writing this. I don’t feel crazy anymore! I had the same symptoms you did and finally just took myself off birth control all together because it made me so “psycho.”  So much for saving money. I’ll pay not have this many negative side effects.

powplz
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 03:19 pm: [report]

@Wendy - good for you for putting the pieces together so fast.  It took me THREE YEARS to realize otc-lo was the reason I was an emotions wreck.  I originally attributed it solely to a recurrence of my adolecent depression and the constant state of flux my life was in during that time.  I mean I still have issues, but holy #&@$% is it easier to deal with them when you’re not in the grip of hormonal issues.

alifran
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 04:13 pm: [report]

I took OTC Lo for 3 months when I started BC and was crazy emotional, I think because of the change in hormones every week. After those 3 months I switched to Sprintec, but haven’t had any issues (thank God). I’m so sorry for all of you having gone through that though! Insurance should really be willing to pay for some of the BC cost… they’ll pay for viagra!

Knitter79
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 04:28 pm: [report]

I’ve been having a similar problem with one of my meds.  Not birth control, but an anti-depressant.  Was on the non generic that worked, now the generic doesn’t give any benefit and all kinds of negative side effects.  From talking to my psychiatrist it’s because generics don’t have to be as consistent or exact with the active ingredients, or have their formulas tested as much by the FDA.  So even in the same ‘brand’ of generic sometimes you may get more of the drugs and sometimes less.  For anything that requires a steady dose (like birth control) it can really mess with people.

Unfortunately it’s been a fight to try to get my insurance to approve the non generic form.  Especially with all the fake literature that says it’s the same thing.

As for birth control, I’ve been on a generic for lo/ovral without any problems, so some drug makers are better than others.

Fever
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 04:38 pm: [report]

I applaud you for writing this! I have started on the chewable pill Femcon FE, and I have had headaches and now dizziness. The headaches have been gone for a few days, and honestly the option to chew outweighs the headaches and now, dizziness.

Before this I was on Ortho Tri-Sprintec. The generic of Ortho Tri-Cyclen (the high dose), and I actually did so well!!! So I think it’s funny how everyone’s body reacts that. I wish that they would just put the hormones in the pill and leave it at that, all that extra stuff is unnecesary (except to make the pill of course lol). Anyways, thanks for making this post!

Ghirardelli
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 05:24 pm: [report]

I don’t trust doctors. A lot of my family members have been screwed over when they went in for surgery, and came out even worse with twice the amount of pills they were prescribed before. Plus, as seen here, the side-effects to the drugs that are ‘helping’ you can make whatever condition you have even worse and then your body runs the risk of becoming dependent on all of the damn drugs you’re taking. Nope. Not for me.

jambadreamer07
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 05:37 pm: [report]

This sounds like a conspiracy from the christian right to keep women off of the pill. I rely so much on my birth control pills to not only keep me from getting pregnant, but also from having terribly painful and heavy periods. I would be devastated if I had to switch.

kalibrooke
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 08:21 pm: [report]

whoa, duly noted.  ima keep one eye open at my pack of tri-lo-sprintec.

CassieJo
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 08:28 pm: [report]

I can’t thank you enough for this article.  I’ve been on OTCLo for 9 years, and switched to Sprintec to save a few bucks.  I haven’t had any life threatening reactions, but definitely the itching.  Ooooh the itching.  At least now I have an idea about what might be causing it.

WretchedMonkey
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 10:29 pm: [report]

Thank you so much for this article. I had a similar experience switching from Yasmin to generic. When I got sick, my doctor told me BC was not the cause of my symptoms and began running tests and referring me to specialists. Almost a year later I switched doctors (she told me I was exaggerating my symptoms since they couldn’t find anything wrong) and she immediately took me off the pill. Within a week I could walk without dizziness or fainting, within a month the exhaustion, nausea, and vertigo was completely gone. Before switching doctors I felt very alone and alienated because she continued to tell me none of her other patients complained. No one else seemed to have this problem and I questioned myself.

The important message here is to listen to your bodies - if you feel bad, something is not right, no matter what your doctor says. They are professionals that we should be able to trust, but unfortunately that is not always the case and they don’t always care. There are pills who will cause some of us misery and work like a charm on the rest of us. It’s your health, your life, and your body. Be educated, take control, and don’t take no for an answer.

Egk0802
wrote on October 20 2009 @ 10:52 pm: [report]

Thank you for writing this.  I’m 18 and I started birth control last year because of my heavy periods casusing me to be anemic.  I started on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, but recently changed to Tri-Lo-Sprintec.  I had been noticing that I’ve gained weight and seem somewhat bloated, (which seemed weird since I’ve actually started exercising in school this year, which I didn’t do before).  It really bugged me, but no one seemed to think it mattered, but my mood has also changed, which only my friends seem to notice (my parents always think I’m moody).  Since my parents pay for my prescription I’m not sure how to tell them about all of this, but I really want to.  Does anyone have any advice on how I should tell them?

H. Blue
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 10:42 am: [report]

Everyone reacts differently to medications, whether it’s a name-brand or a generic.  I’ve had problems with both.  If your doctor isn’t listening to you or isn’t respecting you enough to take your symptoms seriously, SWITCH DOCTORS.
I have had several different GYNs and the one I have now is probably the best of them.  She listened to me, she explained to me that generics often have side-effects and that they don’t need to do the same testing that they do on the name-brands.  I pay $50/month for my BC now, because my insurance will not pay for Yaz.  But it’s the only one I’ve been on that hasn’t made me feel like I was crazy or have some kind of physical symptom.  There’s been talk about a generic form of it being put out on the market, but I’m not sure I even want to try it because of fear of the side-effects.
My doctor also gave me a prescription to help me with my PMDD- she listened to me when I told her I get like a crazy person once a month, and I’ve seen a tremendous difference since I’ve started that prescription.  You’re paying for your healthcare- you deserve to get healthcare that works for you.

H. Blue
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 10:49 am: [report]

Egko802- there are so many different kinds of birth controls out there, and many of them have the same benefits.  Just talk to your doctor to try a different kind.  Explain that you’d like something that’s covered by the health insurance you’re on and see what your doc can do.  Your parents don’t need to be in on the conversation, but if you want to make them part of it, then just tell them that you’re having a reaction to the pill you’re on and you’d like to try to switch.  If you need to, offer to pay the difference.  Your health is way more important than a few extra dollars.  I’m sure they would agree.

powplz
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 10:55 am: [report]

@Egk0802 - Sit one or both of your parents down (however that’s most comfortable for you) and tell them that since you’ve switched rx’s you’ve been having problems.  Before that convo, write down your symptoms, how long you think they’ve been going on, and how they’ve been affecting you. 

If they can’t afford switching back to the brand, offer to help pay for the difference somehow.  Then if you switch back, continue to keep track of your side affects and update them on if you feel better, what has changed, how that affects you. 

If they are paying for your birth control, they probably care a lot about your health and your happiness - so tell them what’s going on.

resullins
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 12:44 pm: [report]

I did some research about this not too long ago, and ran into an article about generic drugs. It said that the only thing the FDA checks for are the ACTIVE ingredients. As long as those match, they don’t give a sh*t about the rest. And yes, most generic companies cut massive corners with this little loophole.

A while back, I was on Yasmin, and of course, my insurance doesn’t cover the name-brand ANYTHING, so I go switched to some terrible generic. I think it was Ocella. I started gaining weight, had terrible mood swings, my boobs hurt constantly, and my periods lasted for like an extra three days. I kept trying to give it a fair shot, but one day, I screamed at my boyfriend for no reason, and realized it was time to change. I started looking on the internet, and found HUNDREDS of postings all over the place about how terrible this stuff was.

I also got put on generic Ambien once… it was like having a TERRIBLE hangover that no amount of aspirin can help. I was a ZOMBIE the next day.

I think the FDA needs to step up and tighten those damn regulations… and NEVER let the insurance companies dictate what medications I’m gonna take. That’s dangerous and irresponsible.

resullins
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 12:46 pm: [report]

Oh yeah… so now I pay seventy freaking dollars a month for the name brand… and can no longer afford food!

thickasawhaleomelette
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 12:48 pm: [report]

My doctor writes my prescriptions as “Name Brand Only” and because of that, my insurance had to cover the better prescription; he actually told me to never accept the generic form of birth control for the brand of the pill he prescribed.

If your doctor says you’re “crazy” for having symptoms related to a changed prescription, you’re only crazy to stay with that doctor. It’s crucial to see a health care provider who is actually going to provide for your health by listening and responding to you. If you’re in that situation and live near Pittsburgh, send me a message and I’ll be happy to share his information.

retro chic
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 12:54 pm: [report]

^ The FDA is in cahoots with these characters – the insurance companies (who dictate max payouts). And in varying degrees and motives, the pharmas ($$$ for “R&D”), and some Doctors (paid endorsers and prescribers). So, I wouldn’t look to the FDA to save the day.

AshleyMarie
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 02:50 pm: [report]

Oh my gosh!
I was switched, and had no idea about this whole cheaper/newer meds situation.
Thanks for letting everyone know!

Erin G
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 10:00 pm: [report]

I was on just plain “Sprintec” (I think the difference is that its not “tri”, as in, the concentration of hormones is the same throughout the 3 weeks).

I got so emotional, I scared people. I’d burst out crying out of no where. I eventually got off the brand and onto a different one, but the emotional scars are still there. The crap I went through emotionally during the months I took Sprintec had made what was manageable bi-polar disorder something I could no longer handle without meds. Off one pill, onto another.

theklalou
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 12:51 pm: [report]

I recently had to switch from Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo to Tri-Lo-Sprintec, not because my insurance demanded it but because I lost my insurance completely and I can’t afford more than the $40/month for the generic.  I’ve been on it for 2 months and so far I haven’t had any really bad side effects.  The only thing that I’ve noticed that is different is that my periods are actually lighter and shorter than they were before, but they are also less predictable (start dates vary by 3 to 4 days now).

lezleekay
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 01:22 pm: [report]

LADIES, PLEASE DON’T TRUST THE GOV’T OR PHARMA COMPANIES TO HAVE YOUR BEST INTERESTS AT HEART! you don’t have to take birth control pills. read “TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR FERTILITY” to learn about the fertility awareness method of birth control. it’s SAFE, FREE, NATURAL and HORMONE-FREE. plus you get to be educated about your own reproductive system and cycle, which is pretty freaking awesome.

rokgdss4
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 07:59 pm: [report]

This article is really interesting. I was on Yasmin (however it is spelled) for like 2 years and then switched to the generic when it became available. It was fine initially, but eventually I noticed an incredible sensitivity to the sun which I had never experienced before, which usually resulted in me breaking out in a rash all over my body accompanied by intense itching. By this I mean walking around in a short sleeved t-shirt during the day (regardless of how much and how often I applied SPF) and then spending a sleepless night itching. It was unbearable. I have switched again, and the symptoms are gone for the time being, but we will see what happens come next summer, I suppose.

I just think it is wild that this stuff happens. I had never heard of anything like this happening before, but I am glad(?) it is not just me.

rokgdss4
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 08:08 pm: [report]

Also, just as a note about the conspiracy theory/m-fing insurance companies…. I just started as a graduate student this fall to find out that the university I am attending does not cover any variety of birth control. AT ALL. They do cover pregnancy though. Oh. And they require graduate students to use their insurance policy while enrolled as a student. WTF.

mirage14
wrote on November 18 2009 @ 03:02 pm: [report]

I also was switched over to the generic. I went with Ortho Tricyclen Lo as my pill of choice because it helps with acne, and let me tell you, it WORKS. almost immediately after I started using the generic I had bad breakouts, and switched back as soon as possible. 

To anyone not able to afford the name brand - before I had insurance, I got my prescription through Planned Parenthood, and purchased the name brand through their mail service, it was about $30 a month, still more expensive then the generic, but about half of the name brand.

leigh9485
wrote on December 8 2009 @ 09:57 am: [report]

I usually don’t comment on message boards but thought I should. For insurance reasons I was switched to the generic and was really worried because of all of the posts. I had NO issues with the switch, and it is saving me a ton of money.

keasbey
wrote on December 11 2009 @ 12:44 am: [report]

I just want to say that as a male, a college student, and taxpayer, the American health care system is totally #&@$%.  Birth control is important, overpopulation is bad, and children who are unwanted can be abandoned, abused, killed…  It should be covered by insurance, or the price should be kept down, because God knows that pharmacists, while they work hard, do make a good deal of money, and a lot of pharmaceutical companies just rehash the same medications with a slightly different ingredient to make a quick buck. 

Long story short, women should be able to choose either and insurance should cover it, from a 20 year-old college male.

steffff
wrote on December 11 2009 @ 08:05 pm: [report]

It’s nice to know that there are others out there with the same problem as me! I started taking Trisprintec about a month and a half ago, only because CVS told me there was a generic available for my Ortho Tricylen Lo (which I have been taking for YEARS now).  Shortly after this, I became sick with the flu and strep throat.  I was being treated for strep with penicillin, and shortly began breaking out in crazy hives all over, the itching being unbearable.  I went to my dr, thinking I was allergic to the penicillin.  I tried everything from Zyrtec, Benadryl, Zantac, Xyasil, and Prednisone, but nothing was working!  After dealing with the hives and swelling for over a month, I finally realized that the reaction I was having wasn’t from the penicillin, but from the Trisprintec!!!!  I didn’t even think to tell my dr about the switch I made because like many other women, I thought the generic was the same thing as the brand name.  I stopped taking Trisprintec a couple days ago, and I’m currently taking
Atarax to control the itching.  I’m looking forward to going back on OTC lo, the pill that gave me no side effects at all!  I have also experienced breast tenderness, mood change, and weight gain since taking the Trisprintec.  Thank you Wendy for posting this article and letting others know about this issue. I’ve experienced such an awful, irritating time this past month and I don’t wish that upon anyone!

Marie213
wrote on December 27 2009 @ 06:21 am: [report]

I just have to comment that I was switched to Tri-Lo Sprintec 3 months ago, and was nervous about using the generic. I have had absolutely no problems with Tri-Lo Sprintec and do not notice a difference. In fact, I feel less swelling than I did with OTC-Lo.

AmyAnnette
wrote on December 27 2009 @ 03:16 pm: [report]

Oooh boy…I just started taking this pill today and I hope nothing bad happens. *crosses fingers*

bookworm001
wrote on January 2 2010 @ 10:14 am: [report]

I would never take Tri-Lo-Sprintec (TLS) pill again!! Ever! As happened to many of you, one day showing up at the pharmacy I found out that my insurance would not cover OTC-Lo (which I have been taking for 5 years) and that I’d have to pay $75 instead of previously paying $0.  The pharmacist assured me that the generic TLS is EXACTLY THE SAME as OTC-Lo.  Stupid me, I didn’t do my homework research and started taking TLS the next week.  Almost right away, I started spotting.  From day to day, I would experience sharp and dull pain in my lower stomach which I had never experienced on OTC-Lo; at first, I didn’t even link it to the new pill.  I also started experiencing bad mood swings.  I had some on OTC-Lo before but now they became much worse, where out of nowhere I would start crying and screaming.  I became negative and mean to people around me; even my friends noticed this awful change in me.  I would think such feeling should be controlled by 28.  Not on TLS!!  Thanks to al of your reviews, I followed another woman’s advice:  I visited a local Planned Parenthood office (no appointment needed – nice!).  I waited for my appointment for about an hour (though I arrived first!! – thanks to our greatest government..), paid $55 for a ‘consultation’ where I got my blood pressure measured only – afterall, I already knew the reason for my visit anyway so the ‘consultation’ didn’t matter ; $25 per pack on OTC-Lo (so much better than $75 from my regular pharmacist) and got 12 month supply where every 4th pack was free!!  Afterall, it was definitely worth going there - I ended up paying $280 for 12 packs including the ‘consultation’ instead of $900 for the same supply with my current insurance.  Also, Planned Parenthood didn’t even ask for my proof of employment or a copy of my paycheck.  I definitely advise you, ladies, to do the same if you still want to stay on OTC-Lo.  When I asked Planned Parenthood about the generic TLS, they said that other women have had bad reviews on TLS, and they listed some of the side effects that all of you have already described.  Planned Parenthood doesn’t carry generics.  Thanks to all of your reviews, ladies!  I’m so glad I followed your advice, now I’m back on my OTC-Lo with MUCH LOWER co-pay and no side effects.  I was so stupid to start taking the generic TLS without doing my homework.  Now I know I will never do that again.  When confronted the pharmacist about the difference in both medications and side effects of TLS, he didn’t say a word.  So, please take my advice and make a difference for your own sake, ladies, watch your health, I wish best of luck to all of you!!

AbbyKincaid
wrote on January 22 2010 @ 12:01 am: [report]

I had the same experience when switched from Estrostep FE to the generic.  On the generic I began getting excruciating migraines twice a month.  I ultimately switched pills to the generic of seasonale or seasonique (can’t remember which).  After about five weeks of consistent low grade headaches (no migraines) and borderline suicidal depression, I quit the pill altogether.  That was almost 18 months ago and I haven’t had a headache since.  Two months after quitting the pill altogether, I realized that even the non-generic, which I’d been on for probably 8 years had been affecting my mood and my incidence of headaches.  I got migraines only occasionally on Estrostep…but I often had low grade headaches which completely ceased after quitting the pill.  And retrospectively, I had been suffering from low grade depression for years.  This lifted completely about 3 months after quitting the pill. 

I researched the effect of BCP’s on mood and discovered that they can interfere with the absorption of B vitamins which are instrumental in the bodies manufacture of serotonin.  Over time, mood is affected. 

Since being off the pill, I’ve experienced typical PMS symptoms, which I didn’t really have on the pill.  But aside from that week, I feel 100 times better.  It does suck from the standpoint of birth control.  There’s no way around it.  But I’m 35 and hopefully have only a few more years where pregnancy is a real danger.  (I don’t want kids.)  I may get an IUD if I find myself in a committed relationship.  This seems a far better option than the pill for me.  But until then, I keep condoms as handy as they were when I was 20.

USFgirl87
wrote on January 25 2010 @ 07:01 pm: [report]

THANK YOU! I am so glad that I found this article and I will be printing it out to show my doctor this Thursday. I have been on OTL for 3 years,(im 22) and it has been great. I had no side effects and it worked well. It was really a dream. 4 months ago I was sent my refills (I get a 3 month supply at a time). I saw that it was a new generic and I was happy to save the money. Just to be safe I called my pharm and double checked. She said it would be the same exact thing and that it was great that it was finally on the market. With in 2 days I started experiencing strange symptoms. When I tried to eat I would develop a chemical/chalky taste in my mouth.  At first I thought it was the food I was eating so I threw it out.But then it happend again. It became stronger the more I would try to rinse with water or other drinks. The taste would dissipate after 35-45 seconds and I would be able to eat the rest of my food if I could get past it.Since the first week this happens two me about 3 times a day ( for the past 4 months). Most times the taste makes me sick to my stomach and I have to stop eating. It is so gross. I can hardly eat YET I GAINED 5 lbs! I also am getting ice pick head aches and sharp pains in my breasts. My mother told me I should call my Dr. and ask if I could get my scrips written out as “brand medically necessary”. After talking to my GYN’s nurse, she told me that the symptoms are not serious enough for the doctor to do that. I am going to try and ask her again at my coming appointment but if she wont do it I will be forced to go off of BC. These generics are great for pain medication and antibiotics but when you are dealing with hormones, blood preassure or chemicals for mental health they need to be sure it is THE SAME.

preciouzkitty
wrote on January 31 2010 @ 10:30 pm: [report]

I took in my new prescription of Ortho Tri Cyclen lo to my local pharmacy 4 months ago. The pharmacist switched it to tri lo sprintec. When i went to pick it up, I told the pharmacist that I wanted to keep the brand. Ofcourse he said that it was exactly the same. I went back and forth with him until he said ok no biggie and went to go look for a brand pill pack. Coincidently they did not have any in stock therefore i just agreed to try out the generic brand. I was a bit scared at first having read a lot of negative things on the internet about tri lo sprintec. I must say that i am happy i switched! I have lost weight, my sex drive is up and i have had no side effects whatsoever. I had to join and comment on this issue because all i see on the internet is negative comments and no good ones. Probably because those with good experiences do not come on the internet to post about the issues experienced.