Switching From Loestrin 24 Fe To Minastrin 24 Fe (Page 3)

Updated

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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41

I read on their website recently that it can be chewed or swallowed. It was made chewable for those that have a hard time swallowing pills.

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42

I'm having the same issue. Did the irregular bleeding ever stop? I didn't get my period the first month I switched to minastrin and now in the second month I started early have been going for 8 days now. Which isn't normal when I was on loestrin.

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43

Would you mind posting a link to where on htier website you found that the pill can just be swallowed without chewing?

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44

I just got on the pill. I wasn't currently on anything. I have been experiencing pregnancy like symptoms. My breast are constantly tingling. Nausea . Headache everyday all day. Super emotional. And frequent unrination. I am not pregnant but I keep thinking I am. I'm glad to know that it is probably the b.c. Is anyone else feeling tingling in their breast because that is my biggest concern?

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45

Finally after 3 weeks.. now its was time for me to come on. My cycle is thrown off

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46

i'm having the same issue with acne! i barely ever broke out if ever and now with minastrin my skin is worse than when i was going through puberty! it's terrible!

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47

I'm also experiencing severe acne, random cramps, emotional instability, and slight weight gain. I don't know what to do, Loestrin24FE was the only BC that I've ever been on. Any other recommendations for similar bcs? Same issue with yeast infection-type symptoms as well! This pill has been horrible! Other options? Ideas?

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48

Loloestrin is good

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49

After two months on Minastrin my doctor gave me Generess Fe. I have been taking Generess for over a week now so lets see how it goes

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50

I also was not told about my Loestrin being discontinued and had to start THREE days late bc my PCP wouldn't call the pharmacy back! Anyways, I've been on Minastrin for three months now and I am not happy! I am 29 and have always been around 115 lbs. I am now at 124 and haven't changed anything in my lifestyle but this pill! I loved Loestrin bc it stopped my horrible cramping. I'm not sure what to do now.

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51

I have not had a cycle since starting these pills and Constantly feel bloated. I hate they stopped making Loestrin.

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52

Yes!! I had no period as well and a negative pregnancy test (4 I might add)

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53

Thank God for this forum. I thought I was losing my mind, but just glad to know it's my BC. My chest has been so sore the past few weeks. Normally my breasts are sore the day before my period, but it has been every day. So uncomfortable!! I've also been having a lot of the other side effects you ladies mentioned.

And I do not typically ingest artificial sweeteners, so I'm upset to learn they are an ingredient in these new pills.

Calling my gyno tomorrow morning and seeing if she can give me something else!

Was this helpful? 1
54

I have had a very similar experience. I have been through 1 pack and 1 week on pack two, but I'm stopping today. Some of my side effects are: breast tenderness and swollen breasts, bloated and full feeling in stomach, decreased sex drive, decreased lubrication and sensitivity with vagina during intercourse. I'm on birth control so I can enjoy having sex with my boyfriend but when I had to make switch I started noticing these things. I'm going to speak with my doctors about other options because I have been on loestrin since 2009 with no issues. I'd rather be normal and use condoms for a while until we figure this out. Any alternatives out there I should suggest? Thanks!

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55

I was on Loestrin for years and years until this summer when I was told it was no longer available. My pharmacy spoke to my doctor, there was a misunderstanding about the availability of a replacement and I was given Microgestin 1/20. During the three months I took it, I surprisingly had awful cramps and bled incredibly heavily the entire last month. I had taken Microgestin in the past without problem, but was put on Loestrin 1/24 to give me less time between packs to handle symptoms of endometriosis. SO, I hated the Microgestin experience of heavy, constant bleeding and cramping and asked to be put on Minastrin. The week I started the first pack my hair started falling out very rapidly. After now a month and a half I've lost 3/4 of my hair. I have consulted doctors and they say it can't be the pill, but not sure what else it could be. Initial blood work is normal and I have been on vitamin supplements for two months now. I'd like to think Minastrin *is* the same and not able to cause this hair loss, but I have no idea. I also can't stop taking a pill because of the symptoms I have when I'm not on it. I have debilitating cramps, sweating, near fainting, I miss work, etc. Can anyone confirm or deny significant hair loss since beginning this new pill? I know that there has to be a difference in the makeup of the pills because I missed two pills and my period never started. I would have felt cramping at that point and begun bleeding on Loestrin. :[ Why aren't we having our periods anymore, either? Please respond if you can help!

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56

Thank God I found these postings! I could not figure out what was wrong with me! From major anxiety and a huge panic attack yesterday...to today I still have this lingering anxiety that won't leave me :( I'm glad I'm not the only one. When I switched from L to M things changed. Anxiety, bloating, acid reflux, emotional....this is too much. My only thing different is that I stopped taking M a month ago because I too missed my period and was worried I was pregnant. I took 2 pregnancy tests and they were negative. (Now I feel like maybe withdrawal symptoms???) I still have no period for another cycle! I'm convinced there is something in these pills they are not telling us! I've always been a very strong person and I hate this pill for making me feel weak, crazy, scared and uncontrollable thoughts! I'm calling my doctor first thing! I'm done with this junk!

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57

I was forced to switch as well. Loestrine 24 Fe was my life saver, it took me 16 years of suffering and pill hopping to finally find it. And now, after two months on this "Minastrine" ,I am miserable. Yeast infections, nightmares, anxiety,EXTREME irritability, irrational thinking, RAGE RAGE RAGE!!!!! I am seriously seriously jacked up and have been isolating because I am scared of snapping in people., I already did twice. Threw my phone at the wall, threw a vase. Terrible. Shameful. My chemical soup is totally messed up. I need a Dr who knows what the heck they're talking about in terms of B.C. Pills and hormone imbalances ASAP!!!!!!!

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58

Meee toooooooooo

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59

After my second pack and middle of the third, negative symptoms and signs arose. Yeast inf, emotional outburst, black out rage, sweating, dreaming, light cramps, sore boobs. I hope you don't proceed to get hear things like the rest of us and if you do, it just helps us women confirm the pill is bulls***.

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60

Night terrors! Sweats! Rage rage RAGE! Yeast infections, cramps, spotting, I feel possessed. Totally not myself.

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