Switching From Loestrin 24 Fe To Minastrin 24 Fe (Page 2) (Top voted first)

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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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32

I was on Loestrin 24 fe for 3 years with NO PROBLEMS. I loved it. My periods lasted less than 2 days, cleared my skin, and I didn't gain weight. Then I was forced to switch to Minastrin, which is supposedly the same pill, but just chewable. It's been a TERRIBLE experience. I've had a chronic yeast infection straight through the 3 months I've been on it and it won't respond to any prescription medication. I've also had severe cramps during my period and acne. There is no way this medication is the same and I want Loestrin back on the market.

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35

I have switched from Loestrin 24 and have been taking Minastrin 24 now for 3 months (going into 4th). All I have to say is that IT"S TERRIBLE. I am extremely anxious, irritable and hard to be around. Everyone around me is suffering and I hate being like this. My fuse is way too short... Also, gained weight and feel bloated 9not in my belly but just retaining water in general).
How is it possible that the components of both drugs are the same yet everyone here is unhappy with the side effects of Minastrin???
I am forced to be on birth control due to endometriosis. But does it have to be this bad?

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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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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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255

Hi everyone! I just wanted to follow up my post from August 6th about my switch from Minastrin to LoMedia. So it's almost been a month and I can already report a MIRACULOUS turnaround. My skin has cleared up, my anxiety, mood wings and verge of depression, and bloating have all subsided and I am finally returning back to normal. I have almost finished the first pack and can say that I am so glad I made the switch. I feel as close to how I felt on Loestrin as possible. Thank the lord!!

Now unfortunately, everyone is different, so I am just happy to say that my individual results have been very positive and hope the very best for all of you on your switches. But I know I can say confidently, that Minastrin has been a lowest common denominator for all of us and deserves as much attention as possible.

I will be reporting this to the FDA as soon as possible to ensure that we get the justice we deserve. It is inexcusable (like most of the healthcare in this country) that we women should be the victims of patent aversion. Our health and well being will forever outweigh a pharmaceutical company's pay check.

Well that is my rant. Best of luck to all of you, and I will continue to report my results if anything changes. Love to you all! x

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1

All I can say is pretty much the same thing happened to me except I was 3 days late in getting mine (my doctors office was closed for some kind of training thing!) I really dislike the chewable part and I was told that if I don't chew it it will not work. So about a week and a half into my pack I got my period. And it didn't stop until I started my new pack! I was so pissed, extra hormonal and going nuts! So the makers of my old birth control thought it would be cool to totally screw up my month. I don't know if it's been protecting me this whole time but I guess they had that covered with my 3 week period, I couldn't have sex if I wanted to!

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2

Also wondering the same thing. Picked up my pack today, and after reading, I'm not sure if I want to take it!

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12

this has been happening to me! im 17 years old and of course i have been getting paranoid about the symptoms...every morning i wakeup i feel the need to run to the bathroom. And i even feel some cramping...i even do not want to eat. not sure why this is happening because it is the same as loestrin...but i never had any of these symptoms...

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13

Most pharmacies and doctors didn't know right away about the discontinuation. Also, none of them have time to call thousands of people to tell them it was discontinued once they finally found out. The rest of us found out the same way you did and that was needing our refill of Loestrin. The makers were sued over Lorstrin 24 Fe. Has nothing to do with your doctor or pharmacy.

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27

I completely stopped taking this pill after the first week of my second month and I'm already feeling better. This pill is absolutely not the same as Loestrin and that is all I am reading from other reviews as well. I haven't really found ANYONE who is happy with it.

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31

Hello everyone! I've been having the same issues as all on here. Awful PMS, mood swings, acne, you name it I got it and NEVER had it before. I called my doctor and she said that there is possibly some additives that are in Minastrin that are not in Lo Estrin that could be causing my issues. Her solution was actually quite great. She prescribed me TWO PACKS of Lo Estrin 1/20. Exact same pill, but only 3 active weeks. I take those 3 weeks as normal, but then "borrow" three pills from the 2nd pack to make 24 active pills. I keep the 2nd pack and will borrow until those are gone. So it's REALLY exactly like being on Lo Estrin 24, we just got creative about it.

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40

I got off minastrin and started on lo lolestrin fe. Tgey work fine

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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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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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64

Good news ladies -- looks like the exact generic of Loestrin 24 FE will be available in just a few short weeks!

finance.yahoo.com/news/generic-equivalent-loestrin-24-fe-221800092.html

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69

Girls I just read that a GENERIC LOESTRIN 24 Fe will be coming soon!!!!! The name will be Lomedia 24 Fe. I just hope this is true. I hated Minastrin and now I am hating Generess. Here is the link: empr.com/generic-loestrin-24-fe-coming-soon/article/320120
I will pray for this to be true. I really need Loestrin 24 Fe back. Good luck with your treatments and never lose faith! Everything will be better

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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 :(

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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.

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104

I start it on Sunday and I'm so nervous! After all the bad reviews for ministrin I was scared to take it. This is my last few days on loestrin 24 fe. It was the very best one!

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146

I have been on the new generic lomedia 24 fe for a month now and it has been the exact same for me as the loestrin 24 fe. I love it! Nothing changed.

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