Aviane and pharmacist

I loved alesse when i was on it then the pharmacist changed it to aviane and i told my mom they gave me the wrong one so she called and they told her it was the same thing. well since i ve been on it i ve been so sick. nausea, headaches, and tired all the time- no matter how much i sleep or how much medication i take to try and make myself feel better i don't. its horrible and i have an appointment Monday to switch to yaz but i really don't want yaz, i m hoping i can just get the normal alesse that i was on before cause i had no problems what so ever with it.

hi my daughter is almost 17 and just started Aviane for her painful periods and acne. The doctor told her he was putting her on alese but the pharmacist told us Aviane was the same only cheaper. Well the day after she started taking it she missed school, her muscles were so sore she could hardly move, she had a good fever ( was cold even though we were experiencing record high temps of 35 deg, on may 31) that night she was vomiting and she looked so awful I kept her home again thinking it was a virus. She went to school the last 2 days but has so much joint pain she can hardly move or bend over. This is a very healthy athletic teen who is hard to stop, and has a high pain threshold. Any ideas? anyone have the same symptoms? I know they say to give it some time but this is ridiculous. She has a prom date tomorrow and she won't even be able to dance! Not sure after reading these comments if I should leave her on it one more day.

I feel like such an idiot. I'm usually so careful about new things. When I was prescribed Alesse 3 years ago I researched all the side effects, but I never had a problem. About a year ago, my pharmacy offered me Aviane, and since the pharmacist told me it was exactly the same as Alesse I figured I might as well save a few bucks. I trusted the pharmacist, and never thought to research the side effects since I believed it was the same. Now I know I was so wrong. I never connected the side effects until recently. I have noticed thinning hair around my temples for about 6 months, and it wasn't until I googled that expecting to find that its a normal part of aging (even though I'm only 25) that I came across so much about Aviane. Then reading everyone else's experiences, I realized I hadn't connected all the other side effects to this generic brand. I had rapid weight gain the first 3 months and have been unable to lose it no matter what I do. The depression, low sex drive, acne, and practically constant yeast infections I think now are all connected to Aviane. After reading this yesterday, I went straight to my pharmacy and switched back to Alesse. Even though it cost me $25 with my health plan (2 years ago it only cost $6 so I wonder if my plan pays less because of the cheaper alternative) I don't care, I just want to be healthy and sane again. Thanks for sharing your stories, they made me realize there was a problem and I can't wait to start my new pack tomorrow and see what happens.

*JENN*

I took Alesse 3 years ago with no problems, Aviane is horrible. I've been on it for a week, thought I'd tough it out. Forget it. Anxiety, increased heart rate, irritability, depression, negativity, intense nausea and heartburn, weight gain, increased hunger, insomnia, bloating, dry eyes...you name it. The only issue is that I can't find brand-name Alesse anymore, pharmacies say it hasn't been produced since 2007, is this true? Anyone know if or where it's available? Some of you are writing in 2008 and seem to be taking Alesse, any help is appreciated!

My pharmacy switched me from Alesse to Aviane because my insurance company will only cover generic brands if available. I was hesitant at first but the pharmacist assured me that they were the same. After a week of taking them, I started to have panic attacks in the evenings, difficulty breathing, face would start to tingle and feel numb, and was very irritable during the day. I would start to feel really tense and annoyed during meetings to the point that my body felt like it was vibrating.

I couldn't think of any other valid reasons as to why I was experiencing these symptoms over the past week because nothing else in my life has changed. My life is very stress free. I decided to look online to see if these symptoms were related to Aviane and was very comforted to see that a number of people experienced the exaxt same type of symptoms.

After informing my doctor of the switch, she rewrote me a prescription indicating 'no subsitituions' so my insurance company will cover them. I've never had a reaction like this to any type of medication before, I'm glad that's all it was. Thanks everyone for your posts!

I could not be happier for coming across this site. I truly thought something was wrong with me. My pharmacist mentioned that there is a cheaper generic version of Alesse called Aviane with the same ingredients available. After a few days I began to have tingling in various parts of my head, I would call that unusual headaches and would become dizzy for no apparent reason. I began to have palpitations and have anxiety even when sitting at home. My sleeping has been turned upside down and I now wake up at least 3 times at night. Nothing has changed in my life since I began Aviane only 9 days ago, however physically there have been many changes. How is it that the pharmacists claim that the two versions are the same when so many of us are having such radical changes?

Wow, this site made me feel so much better. I was on ortho tri cyclen lo for 3 years with no problems. I had great skin, no cramps, no headaches, nothing.. but the price went up and my insurance changed and eventually I couldn't afford it. I went to my doctor and they put me on Aviane 28. I HATE THIS PILL. Tomorrow is my last pill and then I am done with this. I have been so INCREDIBLY TIRED that I can't even stand it. I've also been having awful headaches and minor problems with contacts and vision. I am so glad that I came to this site because I thought something was majorly wrong with me. I can't believe this pill is so bad! So many people have commented (not just on this site). I already went to my doctor and demanded to go back on Ortho, despite the cost (went to Planned Parenthood and got on one of their plans for people who have no income, aka a student like me so now my pills are free!). If you are thinking of trying this pill, I don't suggest it, it's really not worth it. Oh, and on top of it, I've had bad nausea too, something I can't seem to shake! Good luck everyone :)

Yeah I don't know why physicians just put us on this Aviane because its "cheaper" than Alysse. Mine told me it was basically the same thing but it's obviously not because I've been breaking out in zits like crazy ever since I went on it. I also got harsh mood swings, intense fits of anger (broken furniture can attest to this) and it comes completely randomly; one tiny thing can set me into a fit of rage. I had previously been using Alysse since I was 16 (I'm now 22) and it worked perfectly - didn't have harsh breakouts, my moods were normal, didn't gain weight. I've been taking Aviane for more than six months now and the zits (which are often huge and painful) haven't gone away :( I wash my face day and night, haven't changed my diet at all... So I can only assume it's because of hormonal changes - which only leaves Aviane.

I'm definitely switching back to Alysse - hell I'll pay the extra five dollars if it means a clear complexion and my/my boyfriend's sanity!!!

I was really happy that a little light went off in my head and I decided to research Aviane and Alesse. I have suffered from depression in the past and that is why my family physician had prescribed this low dose birth control. As I am approaching menopause years this was intended to level out hormones as I was beginning to experience increased troubling and symptomatic times of the month. I am only half way through my second packet and I have just experienced the worst week I have had in a long time. I didn't want to get out of bed, I am desperately sad, anxious about the future, crying uncontrollably, and have had an outbreak of pimples the likes of which I have never had in my life. Oh, did I mention hot flashes? I thought the tightening waistband was the depression and inertia, and I thought the depression was due to the regular suspects this time of year; lessening daylight hours, ANOTHER birthday on the way, dysfunctional Christmas to mention a few. This was no regular bout of seasonal depression I realized while crying last night for Will Farrell's hard luck in Taledega Nights.

I've just returned from the pharmacy and the pharmacist agrees with my decision to stop taking the pill immediately and contact my doctor first thing tomorrow. I hope there is an alternative pill, but after the week I just had I think I can put up with a day or two or bitchy rather than an entire month of being a fat, cranky, pimply, curled up ball of useless.

Thanks for having the information available, it seems like there are more stories than not about what I have experienced.

I just found this website tonight and I cannot even tell you how much relief I am feeling right now. I was on Alesse for over 2 years with zero side effects. A few months ago my pharmacist told me it switched to Aviane but that it was basically the same thing. Here is what I have been experiencing since I started taking Aviane: weight gain, COMPLETE loss of sex drive, headaches, brown blotches on my face, mood changes, changes in my sleep patterns and hair loss. I was seriously concerned something major was wrong with me, especially because I was on Alesse (the "same drug") for years with no problems.

Thank you to all the women who posted on here. You are definitely helping out so many women who aren't sure what's wrong with them.

My pills are now in the garbage and I am phoning every girl I know who was on Alesse to warn them about Aviane. I'm so angry that I was misinformed, and I honestly thought I was losing my mind, or severely ill.

Now that I've read all these postings, I feel like a million pound weight lifted off my chest. I am so excited about my mind and body returning to normal!

Ladies! I think it is wonderful that we are sharing our experiences here and helping one another. I felt it is necessary I share my experience as well. Thank You to all you ladies who have posted. You have helped me.

Got Aviene from my pharmacist saying 'it's same as Alesse, it's cheaper and the drug company covers this versus Alesse.' How dumb of me not to research this despite the fact this came without a box and instructions.Where is this made? Read up on it etc... things one would do BEFORE trying something. I did not do this and this has cost me.

I noticed changes as you all say you did as well. I have been taking the pill for 3 months. I work out as much as I can so about at least 3 times a week, I had a energy loss, I felt in an unexplainable way, just tired and irritated by the day. No, this is not normal for me. I got a great deal on a scale and stood on it and couldn't believe a 20 pound weight gain. This was not exactly a surprise since my clothes don't fit well and I am very uncomfortable. However, this still didn't make sense b/c I have breakfast and it's not junk, toast coffee or eggs with it or serial. For the last 3 months I made healthy lunches, I cooked ahead so took fish, chicken, rice, whole wheat sandwiches, orange juice, water, milk to work. No junk, no pop, no over eating. Had fruits and veggies. I was glad I was keeping up with this but to gain weight from it? I have a full time and a part time job keeping me busy and this life style, what I did for the last 3 months always included weight LOSS not GAIN. I am pretty pissed about this. (Of course, I am on Aviane, we are all pissed off, haha but not really haha right?) I have major issues with my face, considering I am using the same wash... no change...Anyway.. you're all seeing something doesn't' make sense. I have actually had bloating. Major bloating. 3 weeks. Never had this before. I took over the counter aid, that did help. I am 30 I never took over the counter aid.. let's not mention what I took but it helped.

Listen everyone, get off this pill. I will never take this pill again. I have 4 left this month and forget it I'd rather get my period tonight and anticipate change to occur.

On my way home, as usual of late, I tried to figure out WHAT is wrong with me. In conversation with a cooworker I mentioned the 20 pound weight gain and all and she said 'so much in such little time?' I was thinking about it on my drive home... I am at 2 new jobs and have stress but... to gain this much... and it dawned on me. I CHANGED MY B.C. It HAS TO HAVE something to do with it. I came home and goodled. You can't find anything on Aviane but negative comments. You go on Alesse... oh! a company website at least shows up.

Thank you Ladies... I believe I am having the same reaction as all of you did and I do sincerely Thank everyone for taking time out to post. You have helped me and I do think this B.C. is the reason for my current state.

I'll post in a week or two and then after a month to provide an update.

Take care Ladies!

I have been taking Aviane for about 2 years now and i can agree with almost everyone. In the beginning it is really rough because your body has to get used to it. After about 3-4 months though it does get better. However there are still some things that don't go away, such as the loss of sex drive. In the past i have tried everything from numerous pills to the shot to the patch and my body strongly disagrees with all of them. I finally found something that cured almost everything, and now my pharmacist tells me its been discontinued.
He gave me substitute called Lutera and said it was the same thing just made by a different company. If its all the same thing, why do they discontinue one and not the other? I asked him why it was discontinued and he couldn't or maybe wouldn't tell me. Does anyone know why? I am going to try the Lutera but i know from experience that just because its the same thing doesn't mean it will work the same.

My pharmacist also switched to Aviane and told me that is was the same thing. I think that it has affected my bowels as now I have cramps there too. I feel crappy all the time. I also suffer from nausea in the morning and have thought that I was pregnant. I was on Alesse before that with no problems. I stopped taking the Aviane and asked specifically for the Alesse. Now my body is in some kind of limbo and I feel really low. I thought it was just me but I am "happy" to hear that it is not in my head. I think I will come off all BC for a month or two and try again,

I was on alesse for 3 months, and loved it.
before I got one migraine every time around my period, but when i went on alesse, the migraines stopped.
After I finished my 3 packs, the pharmacist said hey do you want to try avaine, its the EXACT SAME, just cheaper
i said "Exactly?" and he said yes

so hey. why not save some money

Eventually i got a migraine, and then another one, and then another one,,.. and then another one ,... and again.. another one

long painful story short- if one pill is working for you- don't switch even if its a better price

I was taking Alesse for like 4-5 months and was fine now my pharmacist gave me Aviane and said it was the same thing i only did one month and i developed serious side effects . I'm only 18 i have No sex drive at all . I'm always sad cry for absolutely nothing and loss weight, no appetite I've stopped it its almost been a week and i sleep better feel more like my self but i still have no appetite and no sex drive how long does it take to come back ??

okay so I am new the B.C and I was taking Alesse for about 3-4 months and once i started on the fourth month I started to get terrible nightmares and they never seemed to go away, first I thought it was because I was stress but the thing was I wasn't stressed I just started going out with my boyfriend and my family life is not bad, so I didn't understand it till I told one of my girlfriends in class and sje told me that there was some bad stuff about Alesse, so I was going to switch. But yesterday my pharmacist dropped off my pills and it wasn't Alesse it was Aviane and I was like what ... but I took it anyways because I have really bad cramps that come with my period and such so I took it for the first time this morning with out knowing what it was about. My doctor didn't even tell me about it. so I decided to go look on the internet to see what it was about... and now I don't know I mean I have a bad enough time with my normal period let along it getting worse because of this pill. I really don't want that to happen to me, like I am only 16 so i don't worry about the sex drive stuff but mood swings I don't want that to screw up my new relationship with a great guy.
So if any one can tell me the straight facts and help me out because I don't know if I want to go to my doctor and ask her to switch me before i even get to the end of the pack.... so please any help would be great.

areas that help would be awesome in is
what pill to go to if I do switch
what are the main side effects
what is the best thing to do if I do get these side effects

i find these anger and acne comments very interesting. i have been on Aviane for almost a year now. i find myself uncontrollably furious to the point of gritting my teeth, which i never experienced before this pill. also, after never having had acne as a teenager, i am a 34 year-old in a non-stop battle with my face. i have an appointment with my GYN next month and i will certainly be asking to get off this pill and try another.

Well i have been on Aviane for almost a week now and i have noticed a change in my sex drive it has decreased and even when i try "she" is completely dry. Also I noticed that I have a "I don't really care attitude". I was on Levora first and i had no problems like the ones above but I switched because I would get a yeast-infection every time i stop taking them to get my cycle! Now i am just confused and don't know which way to go. I have tried the Depo shot (bleed for three months), and the ring (bleed on and off for two months). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks