Switching From Minastrin To Mibelas (Page 2)

I've been taking minastrin for about four years now. I was forced to switch over to the generic brand, mibelas. I haven't started mibelas yet but I will be in a few days. I'm worried because I don't want my periods to be affected or anything like that. I haven't really seen any positive reviews on mibelas so I'm pretty skeptical. Is there anyone here who has made the switch to the generic brand and can offer me some advice on if you've had any changes with periods or just in general? Thanks!

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REPORT

I have experienced very similar reactions to this drug after switching from Minastrin, which gave me no problems at all. Just when I was beginning to suspect the generic was to blame, I found this thread and now am asking my doctor to switch me back to Minastrin.

Regarding the recall - I found out about it from the news, not from Lupin, my pharmacy, or my doctor. I am furious about this, and am wondering if anyone else was contacted appropriately? My 3-pack came from the affected lot, L600518, exp 5/31/2018. My pharmacist said it was the responsibility of Lupin to contact me, and the customer service line at Lupin said my pharmacy should have contacted me... meanwhile two weeks have gone by since the recall was issued.

Curious to know others' experiences because I found mine to be completely unacceptable - thanks!

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I switched and its been about a week. They told me it is the same thing yet I have noticed some spotting the last three days as well as some cramps. My thoughts are that it has to be slightly different if it is a different brand. My friend told me that it is the same ingredients just chemically arranged differently. I don't know if this is making the birth control less effective or what but it is definitely nerve-racking.

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I had a similar experience where when I went to collect my Minastrin, they wanted to charge me way more because the generic was now available. I took the generic hesitantly and started to look up reviews. Saw all bad reviews with similar problems of not being warned, etc. I started to get nervous seeing all these women complaining about side effects they had never had before! I always RAVE about Minastrin because my quality of life has been much better and regulated on it so taking a "new" birth control scared me. But, because of money I decided to give it a try, (didn't want to throw myself off the loop either.) Thought to myself I have taken several classes/seminars in pharmacology and the generic should literally be ALMOST identical to the brand name right? (thought telling myself this would trick my body into seeing no difference.) Well, it worked somehow. I'm almost done my second month of it and haven't had increased bleeding, no cramps, no headaches, no acne- nothing of the sort. The ONLY thing I may feel like I'm experiencing is retained weight, I don't necessarily feel bloated or like I've gained weight, but since May I've been back at it in the gym and done with classes (less stress) and still haven't lost a pound. Usually during my school breaks I go back to my normal weight and haven't yet. Might bring it up at my next appointment, but it could be anything causing this, may not be the generic. Just thought I'd share a review for someone who judges this before they try it. Everyone is different and can experience different things, I absolutely feel horrible for anyone experience all these changes because when I say Minastrin was heaven sent, oh boy do I mean it. I paid $50 a month because I was so happy with it, but it went up to 150 and I just had to try for the generic, which ended up being free for me.

**and yes there was a recall, I got a letter in the mail, it was a packaging error that caused some people to start with the iron pills first (it was upside down) I didn't have the lot numberes affected.

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So true! It's horrible with a capital H!!! Breakthrough bleeding non stop and headaches just about everyday. My doc was fine with changing to name brand only- but what an ordeal for the insurance company- had to have doctor call and the insurance had to do a cover review to see if I really needed name brand... a pain but definitely worth it.

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In April when I refilled, my mail order pharmacy switched me to the generic. I didn't think there would be a difference so I went with it. Now I'm experiencing painful breasts and gained an additional 5 lbs on top of the 5 I gained with minestrin. I thought I was going crazy! I was able to change back to brand name and hope this resolves the issue. In talking to the pharmacist when a drug changes manufacturers it can slightly alter the formula. I'm glad I'm not crazy or alone so thank you everyone for posting!

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I started Mibellas 12 days ago, I am depressed, exhausted beyond belief.... I have never felt so bone tired. The switch to the generic is my only medicine change. Has anyone else experienced extreme fatigue?

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I had been on loestrin/minastrin for 7 years no issues at all. Within 2 weeks of being on mibelas I was breaking out, moody, feeling depressed, and not motivated. Also was spotting and cramping. It was miserable. I'm switching back asap... beyond pissed.

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I was on Loestrin and then Minestrin for 8 years. No problems. They switched me to Mibelas and over the course of the month I've felt bloated non stop, constantly tired, racing heart, random headaches, moodiness. Here I am after a month and I'm randomly crying and getting upset. I feel severely depressed and foggy.

Went back and forth with pharmacy and my dr. office today. Finally got a month supply of Minestrin. It was $175 and that was WITH a coupon they applied for me. The nurse I spoke to on the phone said that there was a generic gel capsule version of Minestrin available that I could consider. There's no way I can keep paying almost $200 a month so I plan on looking into it.

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Has anyone been getting really sore/swollen breasts? I just recently switched from minastrin to mibelas and my nipples are so sore and tender and my breast are definitely swollen and tender as well.

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Both me and my daughter both were prescribed Minastrin and were switched to Mibelas and have had terrible results! Bloating, pain, breakthrough bleeding - it's awful on both of us. I also got a recall notice that a certain lot of it was recalled and could cause pregnancy - NOT good since my teen daughter uses it to control both ovarian cysts AND pregnancy!!! Even though the lot we had was not included in the recall, we are still going to switch back to Minastrin -- it's going to cost us now as opposed to when we were switched by our insurance company. I will call and complain to both our insurance co and the drug company - horrible drug for both me and my daughter (and others based on the posts).

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I am so glad I am not crazy!!!!!!!! I didn't even think switching from Minastrin to the generic was the cause of some of the horrible (what I know now are) side effects I've been experiencing. A friend was telling me how she was nervous to go on a new pill because of the reported horrible side-effects, which got me wondering if mine could possibly be similar. Sure enough, the horrendous depression, mood swings, anxiety, body aches, headaches, weight gain, and extreme fatigue are not a figment of my imagination! I just called my doctor to see if I can switch to something else. I called my pharmacy, and similar to what others have reported, switching back to Minastrin (which I loved) will cost me an arm and a leg out of pocket. I am so annoyed with the switch, but you ladies have made me feel so much better to know that I'm not alone!!!

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Re: Lauren (# 29)

Yes that was my symptoms and the midwife made a side comment about the change to the generic which is why I investigated it and found this thread. I have been able to switch back the brand name and the symptoms have gone away.

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Re: R (# 21)

Follow up to my post from June - shortly after discovering this thread I requested my doctor call in a Minastrin prescription as "brand required" so that my insurance (Cigna) would cover the cost. I just completed 3 months back on Minastrin and I can't believe how much better I feel on a day to day basis.
On Mibelas I experienced unusually heavy bleeding, mood swings and anxiety (both very uncharacteristic for me), loss of motivation, and what felt like living in a general 'fog,' for lack of a better term.
After a few weeks off Mibelas I noticed all of these symptoms clear away. The most noticeable was the improvement of my mental health - no more anxiety spells or mood swings.

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I was taking minastrin for almost a year with no side effects, lighter periods, less acne. The only side effect I have from minastrin is my bra size increased a full cup. I did not get notified. At the beginning of the year my insurance company decided they weren't going to pay for the minastrin anymore because a generic was being released and minastrin was no longer a preferred medication. I was paying at least 200$ for a 3 month supply. Then comes mibleas. The second I started this drug I had and have continued to have breakthrough bleeding, sometimes heavy bleeding as if I have a period. The blood is dark brown to red. I contacted the company the first month I was taking this drug because I was so annoyed with the fact that a generic drug is supposed to be the equivalent and it's entirely not. I have been taking the mibleas for the last 4 months and continue to experience the breakthrough bleeding which is the reason I went on the pill in the first place. I made an appointment with my gyn because I am not happy with this drug and I am concerned. A generic drug is supposed to be the bulk ingredient and it's not at all. Do not take it. Switch to another one. It's really ridiculous that your insurance company can determine which drugs are preferred and which aren't. I pay enough for my coverage. The whole point in having insurance is to be covered not to be told what medicine they will and what medicine they won't pay for. This medication is what agreed with my body and I've been taking and now I have to change it? Screw you big pharma.

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I switched to Mibelas from minastrin three months ago (same thing, pharmacist just gave it to me went i picked up my usual prescription). Ive been experiencing severe headaches and slightly more acne. I did notice that my boobs may have gotten slightly bigger but at the expense of my stomach growing too. This past episode, my headache lasted 4 days so I called my pharmacist and am switching back to Minastrin!

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Re: BP93 (# 17)

I didnt start having any side affects until now.. and Im half way through my second pack

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My daughter got horribly sick using the generic. Complain to your insurance company. Tell them NO. She had every awful side effect you could have gotten.

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