Birth Control Pill

Alesse and the generic form of it were the only pills that did not give me bad side effects. I hope the generic works for you as well as it did for me.
K.

the generic is usually the same, i used to take ortho tri-cylen and now i take tri-sprintec and it's working out pretty well, i know how ya feel i have a terrible time with birth control

I'm not sure about that specific type, but i did start taking generic after my son was born and it was horrible!! I'm not sure if it was the pills or me, but i tried several all with the same outcome... horrible mood swings, constant bleeding. I eventually got a Mirena IUD. It's nice to not take the pill everyday. I've had it for 5 months and still get random bleeding, but it has slowed down a lot. It takes awhile to get on track, but no more crazy mood swings.

Before I switched to the Nuvaring I used the generic pills and found they were the same as the name brand I was taking before. If the pill you were taking was working for you the generic should be exactly the same.

I take the generic form of Alesse- called Aviane. It gives me no side effects and promises to be just as effective. I've gotten so used to generic names b/c my insurance won't cover the cost of a brand name prescription if a generic form exists.

HI J.,

By law, in Massachusetts, the pharmacy must supply you the generic unless it is specifically listed on the perscription as "No Substitutions". In addition, all generics also must have the same "Active" ingredients in order to be considered a generic of a specific medication. That being said, it is the "Inactive" ingredients and fillers that some people can have problems with. I take a generic and have had no problems. In terms of safety and protection, you will be fine with a generic. If you are highly sensitive to certain types of additives that would be the only reason you would experience side effects - it shouldn't be from the active ingredients because they are the same as in the name brand and if it is because of the active ingredients you would have the same side effects as the original.

Generics work just the same. I always take the generic if I can. I took generic Birth control for years with no problem. Yaz unfortunately doesn't have a generic yet. So I'm stuck paying full price now.
Jen...

Your pharmacist is half right. Yes, the active ingredient is exactly the same, but the fillers and binders in the pill will vary in generics from brand name. Less emphasis used to be placed on this because no one thought cornstarch versus chalk would make a difference. But it is these subtle differences that may make you feel different. Your body may be reacting to the "inactive" ingredients specifically, or the drug is delivered to your bloodstream, or metabolized in a slightly different way so you feel different.
This doesn't mean generics are bad!!! It just means you have to try them out just like all bc pills and find one that works with your body. I went through about 12 different pills several years ago, including feeling severely depressed from a generic version. I finally landed on Levora. Try to stick with a new pill at least two months to get your body use to it, unless you are having a severe reaction and need to switch immediately.
Good luck!!!

As a pharmacist I can assure you that you have nothing to fear with the generic. What many people do not realize with generics is that they have to prove before they go on the market that they work just as well as the original. Furthermore, many generics are made in the very same factory as the brand! Please feel at ease that the generic will be great for you...and for your pocketbook! I make it a point to try to take medications that have a generic always.

Hi J.,

My experiences with all generics for me, personally, have been poor. Therefore, for the BCP and all other meds, I have to take brand name--no exceptions. However, my husband and daughter both take the generics of their meds when needed and have no issues. Since you have had such success with this particular BCP, I would try the generic to see what reaction you get. The worst is you find out that it doesn't work for you and you need to find an alternative--isn't that where you would be already? So I'd try it, and if it doesn't work for you, explore your "brand" options.

So I also have had trouble with generics. But, specifically, the last pill I took was Mircette. When the doc first prescribed it, she gave me a month's worth to take home. I was fine! No bad side effects, it seemed to be ok. I was so excited. Then I went and got the script filled. The next month was TERRIBLE. Moodiness, headaches, emotional rollercoaster, etc. I felt terrible and was a terror. My husband actually asked me who this woman was he was living with and what had she done with his wife.

Well, when I went back to get the refill, I specified brand-only. Everything went back to normal. In retrospect, all of the pills I took previously were always generic. I'll never know if it was the actual pill, or the generic, that was the problem!

I must be sensitive to the fillers, whatever they may be. Also, the generic pills themselves were bigger than the brand name! So they're definitely putting SOMETHING different in there!

Also, just so you know, my grandmother is very very sensitive to generics (not birth control specifically, obviously, but the principle should be the same). Sometimes, they make her sleep all day, whereas with the brand name she's perky, active and very much AWAKE. The docs all say "so what? She's not in pain, right?" Umm.... so it's ok that she's a zombie?