Earlier this year, the FDA approved a generic low-dose birth control called Tri-Lo Sprintec. Afterward, many insurance companies — including mine — switched coverage from the name-brand Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo to the much cheaper, newly approved generic brand. In July, just a few days before my wedding, my pharmacist informed me of the switch and said that if I wanted to continue taking the name brand, I’d now have to pay the full cost, which would be an increase of $60 over what I’d been paying when my insurance still covered it. After the pharmacist assured me the formula in the two pills was “exactly the same,” I decided to save some money and try the generic brand, Tri-Lo Sprintec. Since then, I’ve been experiencing all kinds of unpleasant side effects. Keep reading »
