Generic Tri-Lo Sprintec Birth Control Review

Overall 5.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

LauraBelle
South Elgin, IL

Hard to Complain About Saving More than 50%

gastrointestinally challenged, A Big Giant Sap, Budget-Conscious

Pros

just like Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo, Much Cheaper than Brand Name

Cons

No dial dispenser

AUG

2009

Generic Tri-Lo Sprintec Birth Control —

Ladies, prayers have finally been answered. There is a much cheaper generic form now of Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo. Hallelujiah, I say. When I first started taking oral contraceptives in my early 20s, it was just over $20 a month, and began rising steadily, until insurance companies got onboard and decided to start covering that, supposedly realizing that paying for that every month was cheaper than paying for a child's healthcare. Yet, then it steadily was going uphill again, and it seemed insurance companies were covering less. I went from paying $20 with insurance to $30, to $50. That's a lot, and if I didn't like all the other added benefits, aside from preventing pregnancy, I'd be exploring other methods. But I love Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo. This month I walked into Walgreens to pick my my prescription and was told they had given me generic, as it had just become available. Great. The price? $20. That called for a celebration.

As far as I can tell from taking it, it's identical, hust as they assured me in the pharmacy. I would never know I was taking something other than my favored Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo. I liked the full strength Orthi-Tri-Cycle as well, but going through nine months of hormones that felt like pregnancy every 28 days wasn't fun. My friends and family appreciate the Lo, meaning it put an end to the extreme mood swings. I found the Lo and my life was complete, expensively complete.

At the way the price was escating, I was figuring I'd be paying $100 by the time I was into menopause. I'm craftily avoiding the cost of healthcare discussion here, as it doesn't belong within my euphoria for this product. As far as I can tell, the Tri-Lo Sprintec is exactly the same as the Orth-Tr-Cyclen Lo, except for a few minor differences, that are definitely excusable and doable.

Similarities
It feels hormonally like I'm taking the same product. I don't notice any difference. Even the product informaton, which should be a 32-page booklet instead of being crammed onto one piece of paper printed on both sides in 4 pt. type, appears to be lifted exactly from the Ortho. All the instructions are the same.

Differences
For one, the colors are different, such as instead of having the white pills be the first week, they're the last week. I pay more attention to the slot they're in than the color, so that issue is minor to me. The other difference is the packaging. While the Ortho always came in the round plastic dial dispenser, the Sprintec comes in a card with four rows in it, which is stored in a small vinyl folder that looks like it should be holding business cards. I prefer the dial, but honestly it's major compared to the money I'm saving.

Last edited on Jan 27, 2010

Generic Tri-Lo Sprintec Birth Control is recommended by LauraBelle

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Comments about LauraBelle’s Review

I was on ortho tri cyclen lo for about 2 years and had no problems. a few months ago i went to pick up my otcl at the pharmacy and was given tri lo sprintec instead. After reading a lot of horrible reviews i was unsure about taking the generic but i figured it was worth a shot because i know everyone reacts differently to medications. After 4 months, the only side effect i've had is a bad headache a few times a month which i never used to get. But id rather have a few headaches a month and save 50$ on my BC. I thought i'd share my experience to let people know that not everyone has side effects to the generic.

In response to LauraBelle's comment from Dec 4, 2009 at 12:06PM:

I love the tri lo. I was a bit moody from the ortho lo, but I feel more "even" with the TLS, if that makes sense. No weight gain, infact, I have lost weight, an increase in my sex drive, and basically no problems. I do notice I am intensely itchy though.

I just started taking Tri-Lo-Sprintec a few months ago after being on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo forever (and I loved it!) and ever since the switch my face has been breaking out horribly. I never had this problem before! Also, I am having really bad mood swings and bouts with depression. I hate the way I feel! My breasts have also swollen and if I hadn't gotten my period, I would have thought I was pregnant! Has anyone else experienced this?

I decided to go on the pill for the first time ever (I'm 25) and my doctor wrote me a prescription for Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo. My pharmacy (CVS) gave me the generic, Tri-Lo-Sprintec, instead. I started taking the pills and in 5-7 days my face broke out horribly. I am getting deep, cystic acne. I have had acne problems in the past, but they had pretty much resolved aside from the occasional premenstrual flare up. I am also extremely apathetic, moody and irritable. My poor boyfriend is taking the brunt of it all. I had headaches (which are very rare for me) the first week, and the nausea, decreased appetite (I went from 113 lbs to 102 lbs) and ZERO sex drive continue. I did some research online and saw where several women were having my same symptoms, so I called the pharmacy and demanded brand name Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo and switched mid-pack. The disgusting thing is, I pay $60 for OTCL and I paid $10 for TLS. This is one of those cases where you get what you pay for...I hope this makes things better, I don't even feel like myself anymore. I wish you all the best.

I'd be interested in hearing from others that haven't experienced problems, as I can't be the only one. I've lost weight while on it, and don't have the moodiness at all or a decline in sex drive.

so glad to hear others have similar side effects! I've gained 10 lbs in 4 months and have been eating less, am very moody and see a marked sex drive decline. Going back to ortho this sunday. This generic is terrible!

In response to trustHim's comment from Sep 28, 2009 at 8:35PM:

I am currently having an almost identical problem. I was on Ortho-Tri Cyclen Lo for 3 years (before that, I was on Ortho-Tri Cyclen for 5 years), and NEVER in my life got pregnant. I literally found out 3 hours ago that I am pregnant. I am beyond devastated, angry, frustrated, depressed, and also firmly believe that I would NOT BE PREGNANT if I had continued using the name brand. Pregnancy is the last thing I need in my life right now, and so I have to unfortunately deal with the nightmare that is an abortion. There aren't enough negative things I can say about this generic pill. I was pushed to start using it by my doctor, naively trusted her before I even read reviews about this drug, 99% of which have been negative, according to many websites I've visited, and now I'm pregnant! This is the absolute worst possible situation for me. I also had sex all of 3 times in the 2 months I've been on the generic. All it takes is one time, but this just goes to show how INEFFECTIVE TRI-LO SPRINTEC is. Please do yourself a favor. Do not be tempted by the extra few bucks you'll save by using this DANGEROUS DRUG.

The complexion pat of the equation was one reason why I originally went on Ortho as well. Mainly to prevent pregnancy, but also because I was prone to breakouts. Once I switched, that didn't come back; however, it should be pointed out I'm now 45, so the age could factor in.

Hi,
i been using Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo for the past 2 years for prevention of Acne, sense in the past i use to suffer from severed Acne. Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo has sure helped a lot!! Now i have a clear face conplexion and i love it. But just 3 days a go my pharmacy (CVS) switched me to the generic Tri Lo Sprintec and i am afraid it wont work as OTC did. Does anyone know if this new pill works for Acne too?

To help settle the debate, I discussed this with my midwife who told me she has heard mixed reactions of the generic. Some have problems; some don't.

In response to myview0429's comment from Sep 11, 2009 at 5:23PM:

Hi,
I have been or Tri Lo Sprintec for 3 months now and i hate it, i am going back to Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo, I have been starting to spot 6 days before my period is due,then have my period for 12 days with major cramps, i never cramped before, and my periods were regular, every 28 days and lasted only 4 days.... This is a horrible generic

I have been taking Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo for two years. Just recently my perscription was filled with Tri-Lo-Sprintec... after only TWO months I am now pregnant. I did not take any antibiotics or anything that changes the affectiveness. I firmly believe had I stayed with the original Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo, I would not be pregnant.

I had the same problems. Gained 10 lbs in a month, tired all the time, nausea and vomiting...Thought I was pregnant at first! But I SHOULD get my period next week...hopefullly not pregnant, and hopefully the switch back to OTC will be worth it!

Wow, sorry to hear that. I haven't had any problems at all like that, and for me it works just the same. No weight gain at all.

Hi LauraBelle,
just had to comment on the generic of Ortho Tri Lo for other ladies that may be having problemss with it even though you are not. I have been taking Ortho Tri Lo for 3 years and been very happy with it. My pharmacy (CVS) switched me to the generic Tri Lo Sprintec around Aug 1 2009, and since then over the past 5-6 weeks, I have gained 10 pounds and am broken out on my face. I've never had skin problems, and live a healthy lifestyle, and have had the same partner for over 4 years. I have actually never been as heavy as I am right now. Which leads me to the worst I believe side-effect from this change which is depression/moodiness. I have been crying over the weight gain so horribly. It just dawned on me as I was working out yesterday miserable over my new-found pudge that it could be the switch over, I have been reading reviews today and seen VERY similar complaints. Obviously all people respond and react differently to medications, and I can't 100% confirm it is from the switch over, but I am calling my doctor first thing Monday and definitely going back to Ortho Tri Lo. I was so happy I was saving money, but its not worth since I look horrible, feel horrible, have no sex drive, and cant fit in my clothes!!!!! :(