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Changing Brands of Pills...

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November 25th, 2003
Hi....

Can anyone share their story with me? I have been on alesse-28 for several years until recently. I asked my gyno if she could switch me from alesse to the generic version (alavine?)--because it is cheaper and my perscription plan went up!

I am on my third active week of pills (this is my first time on alavine since alesse) and on sunday I started spotting (it's been three days of this now--and also some mild cramping!). I am not supposed to get a period until next week (when I take the placebo pills). I called my gyno and the lady told me that it is normal and it is my body adjusting to the new pill---she said the spotting could last maybe three months--it just depends on my body. Has anyone else had a similar situation with switching brands of pills?

Please post--i would really appreciate it!
Thanks
erica
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minerwater
replied November 26th, 2003
Experienced User
Yes!

I switched once to the pills where you just keep taking it and are suppose to miss a period. I had spotting the whole time! It was gross so, I stoped and went back.

In your case, stick it in and see how it goes.
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saturn24
replied November 30th, 2003
Experienced User
Yes, when you switch pills you almost always will have breakthrough bleeding. It is just your body adjusting to the new hormone levels. Do not worry. It takes your body three months to get fully used to a new pill, so make sure you use a back up method!
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missbuttons
replied November 30th, 2003
Experienced User
I have been quite lucky when it comes to bcp. I am currently on my 4th different kind of pill in a little over a year. I went from necon 35 to alesse to ortho-novum 777 to ortho-tricyclen from july 2002 until now.
I have never experienced breakthrough bleeding with the pill. The switches I made were consectutive, with never missing a month in that timeframe.

That being said, it is more than normal to experience the breakthrough bleeding.

The only thing that has me wondering is you only switched from a brand to a generic drug--essentially, you are taking the same thing. The breakthrough bleeding shouldn't have occured by you taking generic over brand.
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missbuttons
replied November 30th, 2003
Experienced User
I have been quite lucky when it comes to bcp. I am currently on my 4th different kind of pill in a little over a year. I went from necon 35 to alesse to ortho-novum 777 to ortho-tricyclen from july 2002 until now.
I have never experienced breakthrough bleeding with the pill. The switches I made were consectutive, with never missing a month in that timeframe.

That being said, it is more than normal to experience the breakthrough bleeding.

The only thing that has me wondering is you only switched from a brand to a generic drug--essentially, you are taking the same thing. The breakthrough bleeding shouldn't have occured by you taking generic over brand.
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