Switching From Minastrin To Mibelas (Page 2)
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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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17

I too was switched without prior notification. I researched Mibelas and read horrifying reviews. I was so nervous. I had been on Loestrin and then Minastrin for about 6 years without any issues. And then guess what? Nothing bad happened. I haven't experienced any negative side effects and I am starting my second pack this week. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

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16

I'm so mad they switched me from minastrin to this garbage mibellas. It's not the same at all! I had spotting throughout my pill pack when I never have before and my period is being really weird like here then not, here then not and the cramps I got OMG, I haven't felt something so close to a labor pain/ contraction in many many years.

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15

I was on minastrin for almost a year and I was so happy because it was the first hormone in my whole life that was able to stop all my erratic break through bleeding. I loved it. They started switching me over to mibelas at the pharmacy and suddenly I have crazy cystic acne and feel bloated and get headaches all the time. I hate it, plus it's not even REALLY chewable like the other one. This one tastes terrible. I just want to switch back to minastrin but the pharmacy told me they couldn't without my doc writing a new script and that my insurance might not cover it now. My mom is a drug rep and so I've always known that genetics are never the same as the brand name... they might have the same active ingredients but the quality of everything else is always totally different. I'm gonna call my doc and see if I can switch back because this is horrible. Also this is not the first time a generic birth control f***ed with my s***. So yeah.

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14

Please report this to the Drug Company! These are reportable side effects and if you report them they have to be reported to the FDA and eventually will be investigated. I am in my mid-40's and also was surprised when I picked up my scrip and it was swapped for Mibelas 24Fe. I have had many of the same symptoms that are being described here, cramps, depression, mood swings, break through bleeding, heavier periods, and sore breasts. It's really terrible and the only change has been this pill. This generic is not an equivalent drug. But we need to go one step further and report these adverse effects.

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13

I just started taking Mibelas a little less than a month ago, I was told there was a back order on Minastrin so the pharmacy offered me Mibelas. IT'S AWFUL! I'm extremely moody, lazy, cramping, and feeling bloated. As soon as I finish this cycle, I'm going back to Minastrin. If I have to pay more, I don't care. I was taking Minastrin for years and never had a problem.

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12

Getting cramps when I never used to and also more acne. Also period started about 4 days earlier.

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11

I was on Minastrin and Loestrin for years and had no problem. Since taking Mabelas I feel absolutely awful. I have had stomach pains, headaches, dizziness, and a general lack of motivation. I stopped taking the pills this morning because it doesn't even seem to be worth it anymore.

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10

I have been on mibelas for 3 months now and the only positive thing is that my periods are much lighter and on time. I liked minastrin but was also forced to switch without notice too.
Mibelas 24Fe Negatives: chest pains, pain in my arms, legs, and groin muscles, bloating, slight weight gain, and I feel down. Not depressed but just down and just don't want to do anything. I'm very hesitant to switch back to minastrin bc I had break through bleeding but I'm starting to think that I'd rather take that over these horrible, negative side effects.

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9

I am just finishing my first pack of Mibelas and never had anxiety or panic attacks until recently. I couldn't figure out what it was but now thinking it's from switching to this generic. I felt alone and feel better others are facing the same thing! Thus is crazy if it is causing us all these side effects. My pharmacy switched it on me.

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8

I was forced to switch with out notice and it horribe. I called my doctor and they said it was the same thing but it isn't!!! It had caused my acne, bloatedness, sore breasts, headaches, mood swings/ depression. It's horrible and I want my minastrin back! It is no where close to being the same as minastrin. If you can avoid making the switch do it at all costs because mibelas is horrible.

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7

I'm going through the same thing! Paying more money to stay on minestrin is worth it, the side effects from mibelas are terrible (head cloudiness, teeeivle moodiness, anxiety, lack of motivation). Both my gyno and primary care will not acknowledge that it's my birth control so it is nice to hear I'm not crazy and other people are going through the same thing. I'm switching back to minestrin so will be able to confirm soon that all of these symptoms I'm feeling are definitely from mibelas.

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6

Don't switch! I'm seeing where other women had the same issue as I did of not knowing the price of Minastrin went up and had to go to Mibelas. I'm experiencing horrible headaches, anxiety and chest pain. Years ago a generic ortho tri cyclen did the same thing to me and I had to get off it. The Minastrin worked great for me. Mibelas is awful.

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5

Hi Emily,

Have you tried using a pharmacy coupon to cut down on the cost of Ministrin? I know MedsChat has a free one that you can print out and take with you here: Rx Savings Card. Apparently patients can save an average of 15-75% this way.

Nevertheless, it's a frustrating that pharmacies are inherently forcing patients to accept whatever they may have in stock at any given moment instead of ensuring that people get what they need. Switching brands/generics/manufacturers on someone could turn out to be akin to taking something completely different if the binders and fillers don't sit well or absorb properly...

I hope the Mibelas ends up working well for you and others.

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4

I never got a warning that they were switching me from minastrin to mibelas. I called the pharmacy and they said if I wanted to stay on ministrin, it would be a $130 co-pay each time... I'm testing out mibelas this month to see how it goes.

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3

Yeah I just picked up my prescription and noticed it changed with out notice. I'm calling my dr tomorrow to see if I can get my normal prescription for minastrin. It's upsetting!

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2

Are you going to switch to a new birth control then? When I got the news from the pharmacy I called my doctor and they said they new there was going to be a generic form of the birth control.

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1

Don't switch, it's horrible! I just made the switch too and wish i hadn't. I'm one month in and miserable. Depression, acne, moodiness, bloating, you name it. Don't switch if you can avoid it.

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