Switching From Loestrin 24 Fe To Minastrin 24 Fe (Page 11)

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!

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REPORT

Try LoMedia 24FE

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That's what we are saying . . . LoMedia is NOT like LoEstrin. LoMedia has treated us like all the other *&^%$ generics these clowns are throwing (forcing?) on us!

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I thought lomedia was going to work for me but I was wrong it was horrible! I gained so much weight in just 3 months and had headaches every single day. Also fainted and was sent to the ER. My legs were swollen. I stopped taking it April 15 and feel much better. I'm not taking anything right now but my dr has suggested lo loestrin

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I tried LoMedia, and it has been great for me, now the Minastrin I tried initially and that was TERRIBLE!!!! Bled for two months straight, cramped for two months straight, that was horrible for me, but the LoMedia has been great, I haven't had any problems at all.

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I've been on loestrin for YEARS and suddenly had to change to Minastrin 24 without notice. Now i have lower abdomen pain, has this happened to anyone else?!?

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It DOES NOT matter. Look at section 12.3 of the full prescribing information provided by minastrin: minastrin24.com/docs/indication.pdf

My doctor didn't tell me to chew it, but I was concerned so I did some research:

"12.3 Pharmacokinetics Absorption - In a single-dose, two-way, crossover clinical study conducted in 35 healthy, non-smoking premenopausal women under fasting condition, Minastrin 24 Fe tablet chewed and swallowed was bioequivalent to norethindrone acetate 1 mg/ethinyl estradiol 0.020 mg tablet (24-day regimen tablets) swallowed whole based on the exposure (AUC) and peak concentration (Cmax) of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol."

What this means is that they had 35 people take the pill, sometimes they chewed it and sometimes they swallowed it. They measured how the active ingredients were absorbed into the body, and the result was "bioequivalence" aka THE SAME!!!

My guess is that "chewable" is used for patent / marketing purposes.

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Natalie, I'm not sure that's what the study means. The way I read it, 35 women CHEWED the Minastrin tablet and measurements determined that the chewed Minastrin tablet was bioequivalent to the norethindrone acetate 1 mg/ethinyl estradiol 0.020 mg tablet (AKA Loestrin 24 Fe or Lomedia 24 Fe) swallowed whole. Not bioequivalent to Minastrin tablets swallowed whole.

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I'd been on loestrin for 3 years and had gained a few pounds from water retention, and would have two migraines a month, one before my period one after. When switched to minastrin I couldn't. Stop. Eating. And when I didn't eat, or I are healthy and exercised, I've still gained over 30 pounds since the switch. I can go hours without breakfast or lunch Nd just feel depressed or ill have spurts or anger. I now get migraines almost every day the week leading up to my period. I have very little sexual drive and sometimes I can sit for hours staring at nothing just feeling depressed. Pamprin has no effect on me or my cramps. I'm popping pain releievers for my headaches. Very disappointing. I went on loestrin to help with my period and it's not inaccessible...I'm going off my pill to see what will happen. I think ill be much better with out it.

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I am happy to hear this !!! I have been on Minastrin 24 Fe for months now and it is terrible with the side effects. I called my doctor and asked for Lomedia 24 Fe. I hope it works since the Loestrin 24 Fe was a miracle drug for me !!!

Thanks

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I am half way through my second pack of minastrin and am very unhappy with it. My boobs are ENORMOUS. I am not convinced this has the same makeup as loestrin. I can't seem to find a good birth control pill now that loestrin has been discontinued. I had big boobs to start off with but now it looks like I got a boob job. Not okay. Seems like all of us are in the same boat because we hate this birth control. BRING BACK LOESTRIN.

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I've had it with Minastrin; I've now been on it for about 5-6 months. I requested to be put on Lo Loestrin FE, since it doesn't seem to have NEARLY the amount of side effect complaints as Minastrin. I'll start my first pack of Lo Loestrin FE next week. I'll report back afterwards to keep you informed of what side effects I do or do not experience, in comparison to Minastrin.

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WHERE can you get Lo Loestrin? Everywhere I called said it's "Lomedia 24 Fe" now, which was no better than Ministrin or other GENERICS they thrust on us!

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My Doctor just mentioned lo loestrin to me but I'm to scared to tske anything after the side affects I had on lomedia 24 fe.

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I've been on LoMedia for a month now, just started my 2nd pack on the 11th of May and so far nothing has happened to me. I did have a very strange period though. My periods tend to never be on time, but when I first started (ApriI 13, 2014) it was starting to spot so I took it that Sunday when the spotting began and it completely stopped my period that was coming. A few days before I was expecting my period in May, my boobs were EXTREMELY sore, and yes they tend to get sore but my god, these were more sore than usual. The weird thing was I wasn't getting my period and I was also taking the brown pills. I thought it was safe to have sex that day and as soon as I did, I started bleeding and it was chunky (sorry for the TMI). As soon as we stopped, it wasn't bleeding hevily, just lighty, like when your period is ending. It did that for the next few days and never got heavy or anything. I hope that was a period! I look to the internet in hopes to find some answers and reviews on the product since it's fairly new, so I hope I can provide some help to others. I will be sure to keep updates on my journey with LoMedia but so far it's been good to me. I think during the first month I convinced myself that my stomach hurt a bit every now and then, so I don't think it was the birth control. I have a pretty weak tummy and not to mention I'm a bit of a hypocondriac, but other than my stomach has been fine. I'm still slightly nervous since LoMedia is fairly new, but I hope it turns out for the best.

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Lizzybelle - Lomedia 24 is a generic brand for Loestrin 24 Fe. Minastrin 24 FE is a "re-branded" drug under a new name. On the contrary though, as you'll note that almost NONE of the women who were forcefully switched over to Minastrin 24 FE from Loestrin 24 FE, will say that they are the same. The side effects, from what I've gathered are supposedly due to an inactive ingredient (I'm sure this is not 100% accurate) that was not in the original Loestrin 24 FE formula make up.

I'm stating the obvious when I say that all women will not have the same experience while on birth control, but it's easy to do the math when this many women have come together to voice their nightmare experiences with Minastrin.

Days Mother- You can visit loloestrin.com to read up on the drug itself, and try reaching out to your gynecologist and tell them you're basically fed up with the side effects and you'd like to be switched over to Lo Loestrin FE. It worked for me. I listed all of the side effects I've experienced and they said that my next new pack, would be filled with Lo Loestrin instead of Minastrin. I became even more wary when they asked me if I was experiencing other side effects on top of the ones I had previously listed... Not a good sign when they spring to ask you about unmentioned (and unknown to me) side effects caused by this birth control. The way I look at it, is that I've found WAY more positive reviews from women about Lo Loestrin than I have Minastrin, and the doctor is still getting his Big Pharma cut since I'm taking another drug from the same company. That may not sound reassuring, but I'd also rather stay in the same birth control company that produced Loestrin 24 FE. I did note that the main complaint from women ab out Lo Loestrin 24 FE, is the lack of a period for a couple-several months duration. I experienced that with Loestrin 24 FE and that was the only troublesome side effect.

Like I said, I will be more than happy to update my prognosis, per se, in hopes of letting others know how that birth control works for me.

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Well, my previous attempt at giving a thorough and interpersonal breakdown analysis is "under review..."

In short: Lexybelle- LoMedia is a GENERIC form of Loestrin 24 FE. Lo Loestrin FE is made by the same pharmaceutical company that produced the much "loved" Loestrin 24 FE and "re-branded" Loestrin under the name "Minastrin 24 FE," which is NOT a generic, and is supposed to be the same drug make up as Loestrin 24 FE which is a LIE. However, since the company did produce Loestrin 24 FE, I am willing to give Lo Loestrin FE (which is NOT a generic) a chance. Women seem to have had more positive results and less troublesome side effects on Lo Loestrin FE.

Days Mother - Try requesting a birth control change from your gynecologist, to get off of Minastrin and on to Lo Loestrin FE. Since the same company produces both birth controls, there should be no issues with them re-writing your prescription, per your request. Do make sure you inform your doctor's office thoroughly of your side effects experience. Positive, if you visit the manufacturer's website (loloestrin.com) it'll provide you with not only information on the drug, but also a link to a discount card website that is supported by most insurance programs.

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Thanks I may try the loloestrin. I have not had any headaches since i quit lomedia 24 fe and my weight is coming off :)

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You claim that your doctor and pharmacist have no regard for YOUR reproductive health??? What about personal responsibility? YOU are responsible for your own health. Do you think you are the only patient they care for? Who waits until the last minute they are supposed to start a new pack to refill there prescription ...

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I have been on lo loestrin for about 18 months after being on loestrin for about 5 yrs. I gained about 12 lbs on lo lo and have been getting monthly migraines. I asked my doc about it and he switched me to minastrin. I took my first one this morning and now I'm freaking out about these complaints!! I definitely miss loestrin 24!

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It is true that Loestrin24 and Minastrin24 are the SAME pill. They did it to extend their patent, that's all. So now LoEstrin24 has generic equivalents.
It is true that missing pills can jeopardize the effectiveness of the pill performing as a contraceptive. The worst pills to miss, meaning that could result in an escape ovulation, is in the first week. I'm alarmed that the pharmacist said you'd be fine if you just double up. Double up to keep your period regulated and on track, but now you need a back up method for the first 2 weeks of your current pack. I would say when in doubt, go the more conservative route, meaning go with what your OB/GYN suggests.

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