Switching From Loestrin 24 Fe To Minastrin 24 Fe (Page 11)
(Newest replies first)

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)

Page:First PagePrevious Page11Next PageLast Page
Earliest Newest Votes
89

Linda, yes. Mood swings are an understatement.if you read through some of these posts, you will see you're not alone.
My issue is extreme irritability and rage along with hysterical crying. It's all so scary and embarrassing. I've had to take an LOA from work.

Was this helpful? 2
88

Is anyone here expereincing crazy mood swings? i feel SO angry all of a sudden! its weird its like I know not to feel this way but it comes out anyways. I feel horrible for always being grumpy! Ive called my doc nontheless but was wondeirng if anyone else has experienced this. Im like on week 2 of the pills.
Thanks

Was this helpful? 0
87

i haven't skipped a period yet but i thought i was last month...but it was just a day late. i have read in previous and other blows that some women have missed their periods. I'm sure you should be okay, especially if you haven't missed any pills. the scare itself is not fun though. i understand. i took a test last month because it was a day late and i wasn't showing any signs that it was coming. i think i finally came sometime later the next day. glad you aren't having any side effects as well.

Was this helpful? 1
86

I was taking loestrin 24 for 3 years before minastrin came along, I decided to stick with it because they just changed the name and I continued to swallow it. I didn't have time to talk to my doctor because I was very busy with school and I always liked loestrin. I haven't felt any different with the minastrin other than that I skipped my last period. Has anyone else skipped their last period since switching to minastrin? I'm completely terrified and don't know what to think. I really just hope since I switched pills that it causes me to skip.

Was this helpful? 0
85

thanks fir responding Rhonda. well if i count the brown stuff, I'm at least 4 or 5 days. it is very annoying!!!! i just want to be clear in at least 3 or 4 days. Why is that not happening to me? i chew the pill, drink the water and take it at the same time every morning including wknd (alarm set) . I am thankful the symptoms i was having while not being in BC i don't have anymore. i think i might start borrowing two pills from each pack....idk . thanks so much for your help. one other thing, my boobs haven't shrunk either. if anything they look a little plumper to me..not complaining...lol

Was this helpful? 0
84

Carebear Yes I count the brown stuff because it's just as annoying. My first pack it was 4 days counting the brown stuff. I went from 10 day to 4 days. The second one was more like 7 counting the brown stuff/spotting. I did have a chest infection and took amoxicillin during that 2nd month, but the only difference in how I took them was not drinking the water anymore. Either not drinking the water or the illness changed something. Both packs were chewed. All pills were on time I have an app called lady pill reminder that I love. When I took Aviane a few years back, it gave me a really good sex drive, but didn't shorten my period. If I could take aviane and throw out 3 placebos, tape active pills in the spots, and get a 3-4 day period it would be awesome. I'm definitely going to ask my doctor. I don't see how it would be any worse than taking 3 months of active pills, and they say that's fine to do.

Was this helpful? 0
83

it is so hard to make changes to these post from your phone...lol. in my last post, that first sentence should be * i had not been on BC in 5 yrs until last yr. sorry about that misprint and the other ones.

Was this helpful? 0
82

Neese 5469: i had been off BC for five years until last year. I placed on tricyclen..but that didn't help. cycle was still 7 days. So we talked about changing, so loestrin 24 Fe was the plan. didn't know it was discontinued of course so i never had a chance to try it. i didn't have any bad cramps, hair loss, night terrors ect. the first month i was a little skeptical sine my cycle lasted about 4 days but i had the brown after stuff for about 2 days, my physician suggested i give the pills at least 3 months to see if there was any change. i have been on these for 4 months now (on the 2nd wk of this pack) and still no side effects. 2nd month (stopped on the 3rd day but came back about 6pm...weird). 3rd month 3 days with lingering stuff (the brown stuff at the end..hate it). it come a day late last month but it came. no light tampons or pads , liners only. I'm hoping this month it us at least 3 days with nothing left (no brown stuff, nothing). just a question to anyone..does anyone else have the brown stuff after their period? if so how long does it last ? do you count that as your cycle still being on? just something i've been wondering. But anyway back to the pills, i like them so far. i also read on the website that you should give it about 3 to 6 months for changes or whatever. Please let me know how it work for you. i would like to know how iris (girl who started the post) is liking them. i have also been wanting to use two active pills from another pack once i start the iron pills (taking the white pills instead) and having only 2 iron pills to take....hoping it will make it shorter (lessing the brown stuff also). let me know how it works for you.

Was this helpful? 0
81

I started birth control right when Loestrin stopped being made. I was weary of the chewable because while I just started birth control I was educated in many different types and wasn't sure this would be right for me. The first pack I took I became felt sick every morning for the first week on my first pack. With the first pack I also spotted for quite some time, same thing with the 2nd pack. I however didn't gain weight or beome over emotional as other are reporting but its looks like I was dealt with more excessive spotting! Lets switch!!!

Was this helpful? 0
80

Thank You Sarah! Will watch for an update.

Was this helpful? 0
79

I can't figure out how to edit my post. Nov is the wrong date, I'm at the end of the 3rd pack, and I meant can I add 3 pills to any monophasic? Like copying a minastrin pack. Really bad day today, also dealing with side effects from trying to regulate my disabled daughter's period. If I can figure this out, maybe I can help her more. (just switched her from junel to sprintec because of super heavy breakthrough) Not fun.

Was this helpful? 1
78

Hey Rhonda. I called my obgyn because I had noticed that Minastrin said to chew the tablets; however, you can actually swallow them and they work the same as other pills. I was a little concerned because I was worried it wouldn't be as effective, but to my knowledge, they are. I've been swallowing mine and still have had horrible symptoms. I know someone who works with pharmacies and stuff who is a reliable source, and says that Lomedia should be out this month sometime. All articles and updates that I've read make it seem like they're arriving this week, but you know how new products can be sometimes. I would definitely take into consideration what you've read from others, along with what your doctor has told you. I did not experience a breast decrease or anything, but just about everything else that could go wrong has gone wrong. I actually contacted my ob earlier this afternoon to see if she knows of any news about Lomedia. Pending I hear something, I will update my post with any news. Good luck to you.

Was this helpful? 3
77

I got a prescription for loestrin 24 around Nov 2013 to help with my periods that had started going over 7 days. The one before I saw the gyno was 10 days. I got to the pharmacy to find out that they don't make it, so had to call the dr to get a script for minastrin 24. I look it up to see that it has to be chewed with 8oz of water... I can't drink that much water EVER. I tried for the first month, and had a 4 day period. About halfway through the second pack, i got lazy and just chewed it with a sip of coffee. Started spotting 4 days before the placebos. I have been calling Amneal to see when Lomedia will be in pharmacies, and all they know is it's being shipped. Oh I've been a 34 full D all my life (years on and off bc never changed) , and my bra cups are loose now. Does anyone know if I could take any monophasic pill like aviane for example, and add 4 active pills to make my own 24 day non chewable pill? Does anyone know of a reason why it wouldn't be the same thing? Did anyone experience boob shrinking on Minastrin that didn't occur with loestrin 24? I'm just wondering if it's the chewable form causing it, or the specific hormone.

Was this helpful? 0
76

You could ask her about Lomedia if you're at all worried. Lomedia offers the same benefits as Loestrin and is a low hormone for people who aren't just using birth control as a form of protection. Lomedia is the generic for Loestrin and is reported to be hitting the market this week. Most of us are people who have taken something and had to switch to Minastrin; however, I have read several case studies and reports of complications for women who are just beginning it as well. Like most things, our bodies tend to react to foreign substances. If you body doesn't know what it's coming in contact with, it wants to react somehow. So that is what's happening to most of us. I just know from experience that Loestrin was a great, safe brand of an oral contraceptive that works. I hope Minastrin works for you. If not, keep in mind everything that you've heard.

Was this helpful? 2
75

I'm so glad to hear that not every single person is experiencing horrible symptoms on Minastrin. What I'm seeing is that most everyone is switching from LoEstrin. I actually just spoke to my doctor after reading all these negative reviews and told her I'm afraid to take it now. She reminded me that I have not been on birth control pills for over 10 years and that most of these reviews are from women that are switching pills not just beginning them after a very long time and that she feels fairly confident that because I will be taking them for perimenopause, that I may feel some great benefits just by adding a low dose of hormones back into my body. During perimenopause our bodies hormones are constantly fluctuating so trying the pill may even out some of the erratic mood swings and lack of libido. Dear GOD I hope so because if these pills make me worse, I may next be writing from jail because I will have killed some poor unsuspecting stranger.........or family member! I'm willing to try anything at this point because I have been so miserable the last couple of years.

Was this helpful? 2
74

I would definitely ask your obgyn if they would be willing to prescribe something else to you in order to help. Like many of us have said on here, it just isn't what we're used to or what we'd like to be taking. Loestrin worked great for me and I am very glad that they are having a generic of it soon. Maybe you could just ask for some samples to take for a bit, and see how it works for you. If it works okay, then great. If not, maybe you could switch to the generic of Loestrin if it is out by then.

Was this helpful? 0
73

I was just prescribed Monastin 24 FE and haven't started taking it yet. How do you feel now that you've been on it for a bit. I haven't been on birth control pills for many years but due to fibroids I have heavy bleeding and due to perimenopause I have well.............horrible mood fluctuations. Anybody have any help for me?

Was this helpful? 1
72

I am so glad I googled this issue. I was taking Loestrin for 7 years and having no issues. Periods were on time, minimal cramps, treating my ovarian cysts well, no acne, and no mood swings. I was also not told that my pills were switching to Minastrin. I just went into the pharmacy and was given a new pill which is a bit scary when you've been taking something for so long. I have been taking Minastrin for 4 months now and have had similar issues as the rest of you - irregular bleeding, late periods, missed periods, acne outbreak, etc. I even bought a pregnancy test thinking that I might be pregnant because it is messing with my cycle so much. Fortunately, I also heard that Loestrin should have a generic coming out shortly. I hope that everyone who has blogged has found comfort in knowing that, and is not experiencing symptoms that are making life too entirely uncomfortable.

Was this helpful? 1
71

I found out about the switch when I went to refill it. Just as a friendly suggestion, ladies, go refill your Rx when you get to the brown pills. That way you have it on hand when you need it! I have a hard time feeling bad for late refills when you take this every day, every month and are using it for birth control- there's no surprise that you're running low.
As far as my review, I've noticed no change at all. I don't like chewing it, but it's a minor inconvenience(a sip of coffee, and I forgrt all about that).
This is still the best Pill I've used. I've tried everything out there having started the Pill 17yrs ago to control debilitating cramps. It's the only one that had NO side effects at all for me. I also love not getting a period at all and no spotting either. Good luck to everyone looking for an alternative- I commiserate with you since changing pills really sucks :(

Was this helpful? 3
70

I also switched from Loestrin 24 to this. I've had bad cramps since I started taking it. I started spotting the second week of second pack, then it went into a full period bleeding. I'm supposed to have my period now, and I'm STILL bleeding. I have to go back to gyno in a few weeks so I'm going to talk to my doctor about switching. How can someone be bleeding for this long?

Was this helpful? 0
Page:First PagePrevious Page11Next PageLast Page

More Discussions:

switching from loestrin 24 fe to minastrin

I am 39 and Have been on loEstrin 24 Fe for many years to now find out that it's no longer being made and was being ...

4 REPLIES
Switching from loestrin 24 fe to lomedia

I am one of the customers unhappy with the discontinuation of Loestrin 24 Fe. I saw so many negative reviews with those ...

63 REPLIES
Switching to minastrin 24 fe

I have been on loestrin 24fe for about 8 years now. I loved it. No period and no problems with weight gain. Now that I h...

1 REPLY
Switching from minastrin to mibelas

I've been taking minastrin for about four years now. I was forced to switch over to the generic brand, mibelas. I ha...

37 REPLIES
Lo loestrin fe missed period after switching brands

I have been on the birth control aubra for 5 months and usually bled during my 7 day placebo week. However I recently ch...

1 REPLY
switching from effexor to Prozac

My doctor has me switching from effexor to prozac which I am in total agreement with but the symptoms I am having are ho...

2 REPLIES
Switching from Brentillix to Effexor (generic)

I've been on brentillix for about 3 weeks. It HSS been a God send, up until about a week ago. I woke up with s sever...

1 REPLY
switching from butrans patch to fentanyl

I have been on the butrans 20 mcg patch for 3 months and am getting ready to switch to the fentanyl 25 mcg patch. Will I...

2 REPLIES
Switching from Lexapro to Trintellix and feeling agitated

Hello. I have been on Lexapro 20mg since July. At my last check up my blood pressure was extremely high and I had gained...

1 REPLY
would switching from fenofibrate to atorvastatin produce the same effect on my cholestorol

I am currently taking fenofibrate. I just switched jobs and my prescription coverage won't take effect for another m...

1 REPLY