Switching From Loestrin 24 Fe To Minastrin 24 Fe (Page 12)

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Hey Guys!
So I went to the pharmacy to pick up my monthly pack of LoEstrin 24 Fe two weeks ago, only to find out that the makers of LoEstrin 24 Fe discontinued the pills and are replacing it with Minastrin 24 Fe. (I am VERY disappointed to report that I was NEVER notified of the discontinuation, as my reproductive health care is apparently not a priority of my pharmacy or my doctor). My pharmacist says it's the same pill as it is made by the same company and contains the same amount of hormones in it, the only difference is that this pill is chewable. The pharmacist then proceeded to tell me that she would be happy to fill in the prescription for me expect that since she could not get a hold of my doctor to approve the Minastrin, I could not purchase it which caused me to start my pack late. I was supposed start the new pack on a Sunday at 9pm but did not start it until Monday morning at 10:40am when the pharmacist finally got a hold of my doctor (this would put me at taking the pill roughly 13 hours late). I then proceeded to take my normal dosage for Monday night at 9pm. When my boyfriend and I are sexually active we always use condoms and pull out, in addition to taking the pills but since I started my pack late, I'm very worried that my birth control pills aren't effective. I haven't been sexually active at all this month because I'm too nervous about an unplanned pregnancy. The pharmacist told me that as long as I double up on taking two pills on Monday (which is what I did) I should be fine and no additional contraceptive is needed but the nurse at my gyno's office says that the pills won't be effective for two weeks and that during that time I need to use another form of contraception. I don't know who to believe! Does anyone have any insight on this, or has anyone been through something like this while making the switch from LoEstrin 24 Fe to Minastrin 24 Fe? Is there a high possiblity that a pregnancy could occur if I decide to become sexually active this month, as I started the new pill pack late? Thanks for your help!

289 Replies (15 Pages)

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221

Hey! this is awfully late lol but I was wondering how soon after you started taking minastrin that you started having these symptoms? because I just started it and am curious :)

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222

It was almost immediate. Depending on the sensitivity to the drug, it could take longer for the "whatever it is" to cause all the side affects. All I know is that the migraines, stomach aches and all the other symptoms went away as soon as those hit the trashcan.

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223

did you feel better as soon as you stopped taking it? I've been on it for almost two weeks and am already about to stop, I don't think my body agrees with this medication

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224

It was my daughter who was taking it. I was SHOCKED when I found out the drug the she was given was NOT Lo Estrin. When she started feeling so ill, and we went to the doc, doc said to keep taking it for a few more months to get her used to it. Um, no, we would not do that! She was miserable. So, yeah, as soon as those hit the trash can, all those symptoms went away. This whole thing has been nothing but a nightmare.

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225

I started taking Minastrin when Loestrin was discontinued. My doctor assured me that it was the best choice because all of the ingredients were the same. I had zero side effects on Loestrin..so I went with it.

Now every time I have sex with my boyfriend I get a yeast infection. Currently I have a yeast infection/vaginal irritation that WILL NOT go away. (Haven't had sex for 6 weeks...and yes, been tested for STDs) I've been prescribed 3 different medications and I've seen 4 different doctors. I've stopped taking Minastrin and will begin LoLoestrin soon.

Has anyone else experienced a problem like this on Minastrin? And most important, did the yeast infections every go away!?

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226

So I was just put on minastrin 24 because my estrogen is low and haven't had a cycle in a year and a half because of being on depo but I've been off depo for a year and still no cycle and TTC...has anyone ever tried it to increase estrogen and start your cycle? I've taken loestrin 24 in the past and it stopped my cycle as well

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227

Hey, ladies! Okay, so I'm keeping my word and reporting back about Lo Loestrin. Albeit, I am about to start week 4 (on Sunday) and I know it takes more than a hot minute to 100% adjust to a new/different medication. So far though, I've noticed the stubborn weight gain Minastrin caused, is slowly melting off. I've not changed my diet or exercise regimen since begging Lo Loestrin, I'm just happy to slowly start seeing results in that area. Also, I don't feel like I need to eat a house or two every few hours, my appetite is seeming to return to its normal balance as well. I've not been as depressed or moody, either. I will say that during the first two weeks, I would have occasional "odd-headed" moments...not sure how to describe it, other than I could tell that my body and brain were adjusting. I could best summarize it as feeling quasi light-headed, but it passed in 45 minutes or less. I did notice some very slight breakthrough bleeding that began today, but I knew that was to be expected, so I'm not surprised or upset. I will report back in about 2 weeks to let you all know how the PMS and actual menstrual cycle goes, and will continue to report back over the next few months, since I know that's the time frame for the body to adjust to medications.

Again, I am fully aware that every medication affects every person differently. I just know that I was going through the exact same things, experiencing the exact same terrible side effects, as almost every woman that has posted to this forum.

I'm hoping to be of any help to any other woman, so that they too, can return to the person they once felt like before taking the devil BC, Minastrin.

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228

I'm curious if anyone who was on Loestrin 24 Fe has taken the generic version (Lomedia) yet. I've only seen a couple of posts about that. Seems like it would be the first thing to try before LoLoestrin. No?

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229

I started it jan and had to stop it April 15. I fainted in Walgreens and have had many test done and the doctors believe it was from lomedia and I also gained 30 lbs! I had horrible headaches daily throughout the day. Idk what I'm going to try next but I have not had any headaches since I stopped it and my weight is slowly coming off.

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230

Yes, my daughter started it Jan 15th, the minute it was available. It was soon afterwards that she happened to notice the pak was different, and she started feeling VERY ill. I made a doc appt which didn't help. Doc said to give it a couple of months for her body to adjust. Nope we weren't going to do that when her symptoms were so severe. This NEVER happened with Lo Estrin and she was on it for a long time. This is B.S.

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231

I am in the middle of my 3rd pack and just discovered it was to be chewed. I have been swallowing them whole like any other pill. I was freaking out. Called pharmacy and dr, they both sd that it can be swallowed just like any other pill. Did any of you swallow them? Just want to make sure I am protected from pregnancy.

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232

I went to a new doctor today. She's helping me treat recurrent yeast infections. I suspect they are related to Minastrin because I've never experienced this before... and nothing else in my life has changed. She's not sure the two are related, however, she said that NO ONE she's talked to has a good reaction to Minastrin and she doesn't recommend it. She doesn't understand why Loestrin was discontinued because it was such a great birth control. She said there are added sugars and dyes in Minastrin that aren't agreeing with people. I recently switched to Lo Loestrin and she thinks that was a great decision. Ladies, switch if you can!

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233

I wasn't happy when I found out that Loestrin changed, but I tried it anyway. I do not chew mine, just swallow them like normal. I thought that it didn't really affect me but after reading some comments, I do realize that I always feel bloated, I've gained weight, I get VERY emotional, and I've been getting headaches. Just went to the hospital recently because of blurry vision and numb/tingly hand, arm, and tongue. I was told that this could be caused by my birth control so now I have to switch to an estrogen free contraceptive, which sure doesn't include anything I want to do. I really wish Loestrin had not been changed, I had never had a problem with it and was always happy of having NO side effects. Anyone else experience headaches, blurred vision, or anything?

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234

I experienced all of that. And fainted so I'm no longer on any pill. I'm scared of them. I quit taking them April 15 and have not had a single headache

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235

You don't have to chew it. I never do and it's working fine. Do what you're comfortable with, but I rarely chew them, because at the end of the day, it is going to be dissolved whether you chew it or not.
I read that the only reason why they made it a chewable tablet was due to patent reasons. The patent on the previous pill, (I am guessing they are referring to Loestrin 24, hadn't expired, and since Minastrin Fe is pharmacologically identical, they had to make it different some how as to adhere to patent laws so it's not like the same exact thing.

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236

Also, I was concerned that particles of the pill would get stuck in my teeth while chewing, and I wouldn't be consuming the entire dosage. I do sometimes bite it in half and wash it down with water.
I am not on the pill to prevent pregnancy, so I couldn't careless about its efficacy in that department...My reason is purely hormonal, and I know the pill is doing it's job. I used to have wicked, wicked menstruation pain.
So, that's why I said it's better to make your own decisions based on your research. Ask questions and based on some answers, make your own decisions.. I decided chewing them is optional. Then again, I am not worried about pregnancy :)

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237

I used this chat board to help make my decision to switch birth controls, so I thought I would share my story in order to help someone else.

I was on loestrin 24 fe for 7 years without issue. Great skin, no cramps, and very light and short periods.

My doctor switched me to minastrin about 8-9 months ago. She said it was the same thing, but I don't think it is. I started having horrible cramps and horrible skin. Towards the end I decided to do some research about switching and realized so many other women were having the same troubles I was. I also started developing bad anxiety attacks, which I believe were made worse by minastrin. In total I was on minastrin for about 8 months.

I went to the doctor and asked to be switched to lomedia 24 fe. She told me it wouldn't make a difference because essentially loestrin, minastrin, and lomedia are all the same pill with the same hormones. I told her I didn't find it a coincidence that all of a sudden when I started minastrin that I began all of the issues. She prescribed me to lomedia anyway even though she said it was the same and she suggested I try Yaz. I had researched lomedia and was comfortable switching to that - I have not researched Yaz before and was worried about the infomercials you see.

I have been on lomedia about a month and a half and I love it. Skin is better, I did not have horrible cramps on my period at all. The length was a little longer than loestrin but I'm hoping after a few months it will lessen. I would suggest trying lomedia!

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238

Yes! I just went to my ob today for a yeast infection! They said it was bacterial too. I'm 2 weeks into the pack. I'm on a steroid cream and 2 antibiotics after taking 3 yeast infection pills for the last week.

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239

I'm on my second pack of Minastrin 24 FE and I haven't experienced any negative side effects yet. My period came on time but it was only spotting that lasted 2-3 days. It was so light I almost didn't realize it was the start of my period! No cramps, which are typical for me due to ovarian cysts. No weight gain yet. I have not been on BC for the last about 8 years and was recently prescribed to reduce the symptoms from the cysts. I am 36. I'll continue using this pill until I notice any symptoms.

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240

Me too!! I have never ever had acne in my life, and as soon as I switched to Minastrin my face has broken out like crazy! I am looking to switch to something else. Any suggestions?

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