Birth Control Forum - Ortho Tri Cyclen lo generic

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Q: Ortho Tri Cyclen lo generic

asked by: emugirl2007 on September 21st, 2009

New User

Today when I went to get my prescription for Ortho Tri Cyclen lo I left the pharmacy totally thrown off. I wondered about the cost and thought maybe they'd only given me one months worth. When I opened it up I was surprised to find that they gave me 3 months worth of the generic (Tri-Lo-Sprintec) instead. It cost me $30 for 3 months when I was paying $75 for 3 months before. I'm really surprised they didn't say anything to me. As soon as I got home I started a google search and have read nothing but bad things about Tri-Lo-Sprintec. I've read about spotting, moodiness, horrible headaches, rapid weight gain, etc. after switching from Ortho Tri Cyclen lo. I have been on Ortho tri cylen lo for 4 years and have been very happy with it and now I'm extremely nervous to make this switch. In fact I really don't want to. I am getting married in June and all the talk about women gaining 5 lbs in a month has me extremely worried. I've got another week on my ortho lo pills and then have the tri lo to start after my next period.. And I really don't want anything to do with these generics.

Has anyone else had to make this switch? I'm going to make a couple calls tomorrow. I first of all want to call the pharmacy to find out if I was given the generic because that's all my insurance will cover now (I received a memo from my employer about them switching coverage to generics but I don't remember seeing ortho tri cyclen lo on the list) or if there was another reason why I was switched. Once I get that answer then I think I'm going to call my doctor to find out if I can get the name brand again. In the mean time I wonder if there is anything I can do.

I would MUCH MUCH rather pay $25 a month for the name brand and something I know that has worked well for my body for the past 4 years than having to go through nightmare side effects and save money. In this day and age I would love to save money on as much as I can, but this is the one thing I do not want to mess with!

HELP!!

Replies(9)

Maria V

replied on September 22nd, 2009

Experienced User

If Ortho tri cyclen lo has been working for you then keep with it, I would go back to the Pharmacy and tell them they made a mistake.

ncallahan456

replied on September 24th, 2009

New User

DO NOT USE TRI LO SPRINTEC!!!!!!!! I was switched to it as well after being on Ortho lo for about 6 years. In less than a month I quickly gained more than five pounds despite regular exercise. In addition to this I have also been experiencing extreme fatigue, random headaches, and just a general gross feeling. I never once had any sort of problem with Ortho Lo in 6 years and I am furious with myself for failing to do the proper research before taking the generic. It also makes me angry that pharmacists are allowed to constantly reassure their customers that generic medication is the "exact same thing" as the brand name when that is completely untrue. Take my advice and stay FAR away from Tri-Lo-Sprintec!!

magmcmahon

replied on October 12th, 2009

New User

I switched last month & have had no problems with it. A friend of mine switched a few months back (right when it came out) and has loved it. For me it's $10 for 3 months instead of $100/3mo so the savings are well worth it. I'd give it a shot.

rania1313

replied on October 25th, 2009

New User

Generic=Name brand

Generic brand drugs are the exact same as the name brand drugs. I, too, was thrown off when I was handed the generic for the first time this month, but I asked the pharmacist, and he said it would be illegal to change the prescription without notifying the patient. If the drugs were different, they would face legal action because people could be allergic to different medications. Therefore, the hormone levels/etc. are the exact same in the generic as they are in Ortho tri cyclen lo. I also asked my doctor, who confirmed this.
Even with all of this, today is my first day starting the new pills, and I'm a little nervous. But all my research says I shouldn't be.

canondoll

replied on October 25th, 2009

New User

I said the EXACT same thing to my pharmacist at Target. They're telling me that there's some new insurance regulation (I have BCBS) that requires the pharmacy to issue a generic where available. I expressed my concern with it for the same reasons you mentioned.

I just started my second month's pills of Tri-Lo Sprintec while I'm waiting for my Doctor to approve of me to switch back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. The pharmacist said that I have to have a medical reason to use Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. This whole ordeal is absurd. If I'm willing to pay more for my medication, then it shouldn't be a problem. I'd even cover the difference that my insurance company pays if I could.

What a mess. I feel helpless right now and I'm seriously worried that the side effects will be worse...

GSPLOVER

replied on October 26th, 2009

New User

I agree...

I was given the generic by mistake because my pharmacy thought I'd rather save the money. I have no insurance at all so I figured I'd try it...well I have been on many different pills over the years and this is the first time I ever experienced spotting! Very annoying, I'm switching to Seasonique lo-anyone have any advice with that one??

banabana

replied on November 3rd, 2009

New User

Not happy with Tri Lo Sprintec

I was on Brand name Ortho Tri-Cyclin LO for the past year (my DR. office kept giving me samples). These finally ran out about 1.5 months ago, and I also received the Tri Lo Sprintec generic brand. I was NOT expecting anything to change - so it's not like I'm being paranoid and looking for minor nonsense. BUT I did experience major symptoms that I did not have on the brand name (I'm on my second pack). Symptoms are: weight gain, moodiness, LOSS of appetite - no desire to cook or eat right, so end up eating JUNK (hence the weight gain), loss of sex drive (this was the reason I was on a triphasic in the first place - to increase that). Anyway, it's all around bad. I just called me doc and they are going to call in a prescription requiring the pharmacy to dispense only the brand name. Yay!

kyrana77

replied on November 7th, 2009

New User

Generic Medication Switch

BE SURE TO CHECK THE INGREDIENTS AND DOSAGE IS THE SAME ON BOTH BRANDS! I went to pick up my birth control pills today. New Dr, prescribed the same Marvelon that i've been taking for the last 3 years... New pharmacist suggested I opt for the generic brand Aviane... I asked her " Is it EXACTLY the same ingredients and dosage" (I have enough issues with pms hormones, changing up a 3 year routine/medication, NOT an option) She says to me, and I quote "It is exactly the same, it would be illegal for me to give you the generic if it is not IDENTICAL to your prescription" .. Yes DIRECT quote... So I get home, i open a package.. 1st thing I see are pills 3 times larger... And with that advil sugar coating type crap on them... I decide to read and compare my long term contraceptive to this new, horse-pill contraceptive... Not only are the doses different, the ingredients are different! Needless to say, there will be a sh*t show in the pharmacy in exactly 7.5 hours...

CHECK/COMPARE THE PRESCRIPTIONS! DO YOUR RESEARCH!

Good Luck Smile

michelle912

replied on November 17th, 2009

New User

I'm starting to wonder...

I'm trying to research this too. A few months back my pharmacist handed me a the generic Tri-lo Sprintec in place of my normal Ortho-Lo. I was super happy because it was free instead of the $10/month I was paying, so I left quite pleased. However, I began to notice a significant amount of weight gain over the next couple of months...I had just started at a new gym, so i thought maybe it was muscle, or maybe my metabolism was just slowing down. I just happened to come across an article about this generic brand of Ortho-Lo, and one of the main complaints was rapid weight gain. I still dont know if this is my issue, but my doctor is looking into a different pill for me so I can experiment. I think it's pretty strange so many people are complaining about it if is "Supposed" to be the same thing. I've never had any other problems with medication in my life.

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