Hello EmpowHER community,
I just wanted to share my story and see if anyone else has had this problem. This morning I went to the pharmacy to get my birth control prescription and came to find out that they changed the brand of my birth control because my original brand is on back order. I was very unhappy about this, they didn't consult my doctor because he gave permission for generic brands to be used. I trust my doctor but the pharmacist said I could experience side effects like weight gain and acne because of the new brand even though the hormonal dosage is the same.
I felt like my power to advocate for myself and ask questions was taken from me. The pharmacist seemed annoyed that I was unhappy with the change. Also, I have to treat this new pack like I am starting birth control all over again and abstain because I have a higher chance of getting pregnant this month (I am in a long term monogamous relationship). I don't think it is fair for the pharmacist to make this decision for me, I was happy with what I had. Now, I am looking into different forms of birth control because I don't want this to happen again.
Has anyone ever had this happen? Is switching birth control brands ok to do? Is it good for you?
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My pharmacist just did this to me! I was on Ortho-Evra (the patch) and a generic just came out so they switched me without notice. I'm on hormonal BC because of PMDD and just had the worst month of my life; mood swings, crying jags, ranting off my fiance over literally nothing. To top it off, I've been spotting the whole month and felt the unmistakable ovarian pinch of ovulation (I was clockwork regular before being put on a three month cycle to manage the psychological symptoms). Now I'm on the painful wait until I can pee on stick. It's there something that prevents them from doing this? Is there any other medication where they can switch brands all willy-nilly or is it just BC because it's not "necessary"?
May 23, 2014 - 9:51amThis Comment