When Will Generic Yasmin Be Available?

I heard that Ocella just came out… a generic for Yasmin.

I have the generic Yasmin, Ocella. I was happy to pay a third of the price, but surprised when I threw up 12 hours later. What is the deal with generic drugs? Are they really the same? The filler, quality of ingredients? The nausea was not in my head, as I expected it to be just fine. I am willing to say it was coincidence and keep giving Ocella a try. Any thoughts?

I had been on Yasmin for 5 yrs and just started taking Ocella this past month. I have not had any side effects whatsoever from it. I think its great! It has the exact same ingredients as yasmin but not the price! excellent!

I just took the generic yasmin (been on yasmin for 4 yrs now) and suddenly I’ve had light cramps & am really tired. Been going on for 2 wks now. Also light spotting. I thought the generic was supposed to be exactly like the real thing??

I have taken Yasmin for several years, I just started taking the generic – the mood swing and acne are back in the second week of my cycle .. . I’m going to give this another cycle before I decide if I’m going to stay with the brand name.

I have been taking Yasmine for 3 years now and i love it. My pharmacy filled the generic version this time and i ama bit concerned about the fillers…. Does anyone know how different are the fillers from Yasmine?

I was surprised when I went to get my refill of Yaz at the local Wal-Mart Pharmacy and they AUTOMATICALLY gave me the generic….I guess that is because my insurance wants it that way. Yes, it ended up only costing me a 1/5 what I pay ($25 to $5 every three months…thank you Jesus), but I too wondered about the fact of if it would be different. It looks like I don’t have any choice because of insurance… so I will have to suck it up. I have been on Yaz and Yazmin off and on for gosh probably 10 years. Let me know. I don’t start for a couple of more weeks. Good luck to everyone else that is in the same boat.

I just got the generic brand for Yasmin and I’m a little skeptical. However, I would MUCH RATHER pay $5 over the $40 copay my insurance covers for Yasmin!
Ocella seems promising, I’ve seen some mixed reviews about it (nausea, mood swings, acne, etc) but I’m willing to at least give it a cycle. If not, I’d be more than happy to pay the $40 copay for my Yasmin… So we’ll see. Has anyone started their generics just yet?

I also was automatically switched to Ocella last month when I turned up to get my Yasmin. After 6 days of taking it, I had such bad cramps I couldn’t get off my couch for an hour. My period was still 2 weeks away. I have been moody and impatient. I feel bloated and am now happy to pay for Yasmin next month.

Just went through a cycle of generic and it has been horrible. Major mood swings and depression. Going back to the original generic not for me.

My Target pharmacist gave me the choice of trying the generic of Yaz when I refilled two weeks ago. I was reluctant because I’d had bad experiences with generics in the past. She claimed that in this case there was not difference — the pills were the exact same. And it was great to pay $8 instead of $25. But next month I’ll cough up my $25 and get the real thing. My mood is terrible and I’m breaking out like crazy. So glad to find this collection of comments to discover I’m not the only one who isn’t finding it truly the same. No way are the generic and the original actually the same.

I am skeptic about taking ocella, but I got no choice..bec of the insurance.. Hopefully it works out!

I took the Ocella for one month. I was moody (cranky for the most of the month then weepy post period)… I was bloated the whole month and even right after my period… I am gladly switching back to the Yasmin at whatever cost! I have taken it since it first came out with no issues (other than initial nausea when I first started it)… but it is well worth the money!

I have been on Yasmin for 5 years and was recently switched to the generic, automatically. I am on my third week on it and have been spotting heavily for the past 5 days. I am quite angry about the situation.

When I tried to refill my Yasmin over the phone, I was really surprised when the automated recording asked me if I would like the generic version, as one is now available. My wallet wants me to give it a try, but my past experience with generic oral contraceptives tells me “NO WAY!”. In fact, I actually started taking a brand name (Yasmin) BECAUSE I’ve had so many poor experiences with generic birth control pills. At this point, the brand version of Yasmin is the only positive experience I’ve had with birth control pills (i.e., no spotting, no vomiting, or mood swings, etc.) so I decided that I shouldn’t go generic yet (at least not before consulting my doctor).

I have PCOS, and my gyno put me on Yasmin to control the symptoms. Yasmin was a life saver for me! I was on it from April through June and it completely alleviated the migraines, throwing up, spotting, and irregular periods and vicious mood swings and acne I had been suffering with for years. In July, when my pharmacist told me there was now a generic for Yasmin, that just made it perfect! BUT…since i have been taking the generic (July and August), the acne, mood swings, nausea, spotting and migraines have returned full force. I have missed work due to them again, when I had not missed a day since April. The people who make Ocella should be ashamed of themselves for selling this product under the pretense that it is the same as Yasmin when IT IS NOT!!! If you are on Yasmin for PCOS, or even to alleviate some other symptoms, do not fall for Ocella!!!! Pay the extra and get the Yasmin, trust me it is well worth it. I just went and got my Yasmin today and the rest of the Ocella is going down the toilet!

I am so happy to see that the nausea was not in my head. I have also felt weak and to the point I thought I was going to pass out in class the other day. I have been so nauseated I almost thought dang could I be pregnant. I also suffer from PCOS and have been majorly cramping so I guess next month I will cough up the money for the real thing. I would rather pay the extra than be sick and suffer from the pain.

I recently switched to Ocella from Yasmin and have had a terrible time. I have excessive nausea and vomiting after taking the 2nd pill. I do have to mention that I missed the 1st pill and took it 12 hours later. Took the 2nd pill on time. Please do let me know if this is the reason for my vomiting. I would be glad to switch back to yasmin to aviod such suffering.

I have been on Depo for like a year and gained a lot of weight. I have also noticed irritability and whatnot so I decided to give BC pills a try. I just started Ocella and I swear my stomach is not reponding well. I feel like I could throw up any min. Doc says to give 3 months but I dont know if I can take this much longer

I was switch to Ocella. i started having severe hormone related migraines and pain and stiffness in my legs. I am seeking medical help tomorrow for the leg pain. I stopped Ocella and 24 hours later my migraines, which I had experienced for over 3 days stopped. The fillers are what is different. When taking drugs with hormones, you should ALWAYS use the name brand!!!

I am not going crazy! I have experienced incredible bloating and cramps since I was switched to the generic version of Yasmin about 2 months ago. I will be switching back to the name brand.

Do not take Ocella unless you want to feel like crap. I have been on Yasmin over a year and a half. My pharmacist gave me the generic (Ocella) saying it was exactly the same. Well, it is not. I am bloated, have horrible cramps, little pimples and to top it off, my boobs hurt like crazy! I hate Ocella and will go back to the regular Yasmin next month.

I had been on Yasmin for 2 years. My pharmacy gave me Ocella the last two times I had the perscription filled. They still charged me the same amount of money. Over the last month I have gained 5 pounds, My breasts hurt….All the time. I have acne and nausea. I am going back to Yasmin!!!!

I’m about to reorder my first 3-month supply of Yasmin since the generic came out, and looking at these comments I’m not sure if the cost savings will be worth the possible side effects (I would be saving $50 every 3 months). It seems like most of the people who left negative comments hadn’t been using it very long, so maybe someone could tell me if the side effects go away after a month or 2? Thanks!

I had used Yasmin for 5 years with no problems and was switched to Ocella 2 months ago. Initially, overjoyed at the savings! Now, full of anger at the manufacturers. Their sham of a generic has booted Yasmin out of my insurance company’s formulary, so I’m faced with a choice between headaches, bloating, and pimples or paying through the nose. What gives? Is there an agency collecting these types of complaints?

I’ve been on Yasmin for over a year and have been fine. When the generic came out two months ago I switched to that but my period last month was hardly anything and it didn’t begin until the day AFTER I started my new pill pack. So I’m supposed to begin my new pill pack on Saturday and I still haven’t started my period which has made me anxious. Anyone else have a similar problem.

So I’ve taken Yasmin for about 3 years, and one day I went to the pharmacy to pick up my perscription and for whatever reason they didn’t have Yasmin, instead they had Ocella, the generic. Surprised at the price difference I accepted my med and carried on. It’s been 2 months and I can’t tell you the mood changes I’ve experienced. I’m generally a happy, confident, positive person, but since I’ve switched to Ocella, I’ve been so miserable and insecure! It’s almost like all the personality I had have been completely sucked out of me and replaced with sadness and negativity. Please listen to me and stay away from this pill! You do not want to experience these conditions! It’s almost like I’m seriously depressed, you don’t want to put yourself through this girls!

Thank god i saw all of your comments. Since taking the generic, I have had the worst nausea, i’m tired all the time, bloated, and feel rather crappy. Also, my periods are super delayed. It just occurred to me that it was due to the Ocella (my pharmacist told me the generic was exactly like Yasmin–not true!!). I’m calling my doctor tomorrow to switch back to Yasmin. Oh, I’ve been on Yasmin since 2004 and i’m on my 3 pack of Ocella. I feel that this is more than enough time to be adjusted to the switch.

I have been on Yasmin for over a year and was automatically given Ocella. I have been very irritable, anxious, and bloated (and have had some skin/hair problems as well). This is not the same, I don’t care what anyone says. When I told my OBGYN, she was not surprised that I was having different side effects. If I am unable to get the name brand, I will switch to YAZ, this is insane.

I have been taking Yasmin for 3 years and it was great. When the generic came out, it was automatically given to me. I was happy about the cheap price but that was over after the mood swings, irritability like you won’t believe and my acne came back. I asked my doctor for a new RX with no generic replacement. This seemed to work. I pay the highter price, but its worth it.

Thank goodness for all your posts! I have been on the genric for two weeks and I feel terrible. As a regular exercise buff, I’ve been so moody, tired, and sick I can’t even think about working out! My husband and I agree, it is worth the extra money to take the real thing. I am just glad I’m not crazy or the only one.

THANK GOD I found this site. I started taking generic Yasmin 3 weeks ago, when my pharmacist assured me there was no difference from the original. The very first day I took it, I had a horrible migraine and I’ve had one almost every day. I’m bloated and have no appetite, but the worst thing is the DEPRESSION. I’m normally a very happy person and I feel like I could cry all day long. I thought I was losing my mind. I love to run, and in the last three weeks, I’ve hardly done any running because all I want to do is lay on the couch.

No matter the cost, I’m taking the REAL Yasmin.

oh my god. I thought I was going nuts! I was on Yasmin for almost a year, and then they automatically gave me this Ocella when I went to get my pills this August. I was thrilled at the price, and didn’t even think the generic would be noticably different from the brand name. Boy, was I wrong.

My sex drive has all but disappeared, and I’m tired all the time. Plus, my cramps during my monthly cycle have come back.

If you are happy with Yasmin, DON’T switch to Ocella. It’s not the same, and it’s not worth the trouble.

I was on Yasmin for a number of years until, like most people, my mail order prescription service switched me to the generic. I was extremely skeptical, but took it anyway, thinking that because of the price, I should give it a decent shake.

Mistake.

The first month I took it coincided with a hectic time at work, so I chalked my irritability and feeling of malaise (not to mention bloat) to being busy and exhausted and too squeezed to exercise as much as I would like. There were days that I felt like if I didn’t get to spin class or to my trainer that I would literally murder someone. I had persistent heartburn and nausea, but again, I chalked it up to busy-ness. Same for month 2 – busy at work, threw a baby shower, out of town two weekends for weddings. By month 3 it was obvious something was wrong, but like a fool, I was chalking it up to a bad bout of PMS and ordered another refill – OF 3 PACKS!

In addition to being the least kind version of myself (to put it mildly…it is more accurate to say I have been an absolute nightmare to deal with), I physically feel awful. Despite getting sleep, I am exhausted. And despite training with a professional 2X per week, spinning 3X per week and a 2-hour hike on the weekend (every weekend), my clothes are tight and I feel like I have a kangaroo pouch (my midsection is my one achievement, generally, so this was insulting!). Oh, and the night sweats are awesome – seems that because I took them at night, the hormones shot through me and screwed me up. I was worried I was going through menopause before I could have kids!

I called my doctor and was able to get them to refill it as a no substitution script. And, thankfully, my HMO is putting in an override so that I can take advantage of the prescription benefit earlier than I should be able to, based on the fact that I have refilled through the end of the year. Either way, I would gladly pay twice the retail cost (without any coverage) to get the right meds rather than keep taking this junk.

Generics are the WORST thing ever, but this one is in a league of its own. Since everyone’s body is different, I would encourage you to reach your own conclusion, but at the very first sign of sensitivity to the drug, chuck it. Totally not worth it. Whatever $$ you save on it will be quickly spent by the “I’m sorry for being such a shrew” peace offerings you have to extend just so people will speak to you again.

I switched to the generic kind a few months ago and it has been nothing but hell. I do not recommend switching fromt Jasmin to the generic brand. I have been suffering from migraines, acne, fatigue, I feel nervous all the time…i can go on and on. I can not wait to switch back. This is a terrible product.

My clinic thinks I’m crazy. My Yasmin got switched to the generic and I have felt lousy since. Morning nausea and just an all-over crummy feeling. It started just after I started taking it. They don’t believe me, they say that nobody else has complained. I hope the Yasmin doesn’t cost too much more, I certainly want to go back. Yikes!

I too am starting to think this generic is no good, and I have absolutely NO pre-conceived notions of generics. Anything to save money is good with me. But I was Yasmin for 5 years, all BCP for 10. I started Ocella and boom! All of the sudden, I get sick to my stomach every time I take the pill. And the last two months I have had week long spotting. I’m getting acne and I’m in my 30s, I haven’t had acne since college. I agree that some of the psychological symptoms could be sketchy, but how can spotting be in my head? Am I willing myself to bleed? I’m going to switch back to Yasmin and if these syptoms go away, that will be anecdotal evidence enough for me.

OK, ladies, from reading all of your comments there is only one logical conclusion: The first “batch” of Ocella was a BAD BATCH! Generics and brand names are supposed to be IDENTICAL. If you exeperience ANY difference at all, that is a FLAW IN THE RECIPE. Do I smell a lawsuit? Ladies, save your bad batches of Ocella to be chemically analyzed, call a lawyer fast and get in on the class action. Y’all might get a nice pay day from this.

Male Voice of Reason? Look, I know this is a fake post and maybe not really intended for people to believe, but in the event someone reads your post and believes that generics are required to be identical to the brand name drug, here are some facts. Generics are required to have the same active ingredients as the brand name drug. The fillers and coatings used are different. Fillers and coatings can make the body absorb the active ingredients in the drug very differently, which does explain the side effects many women are experiencing. If you’re taking Ocella and experience none of the aforementioned side effects, well, bully for you. If you do, however, call your doctor.

And, by the way, “Male voice of reason” and calling women “Ladies” is condescending and annoying, even if you are fake.

i have been on yasmin 5 years and they told me to go to the generic sow i did and i have been sick so i will call my dr

Has everyone reported their side effects to the FDA and the company? I made a report to the FDA today because I have never experienced side effects such as this. I’m also going to make a report to the generic company of Ocella.

I was given Ocella instead of Yasmin at the beginning of the month because the doctor had to call in a refill.

I didn’t think anything of the generic.

A few days into it, I developed a rash on my hand and my scalp was itching horribly.

Then there was a huge rash under my breasts. I thought that was a yeast infection or fungal problem.

I went to the Ob/Gyn and she couldn’t even do a pelvic exam. It hurt like HELL. She also noticed the rash on my breasts and prescribed cream even though she said “That doesn’t look like a yeast infection.” She also gave me DAW prescription for any future yasmin prescriptions.

When I got home, in between my legs started to itch like mad and then itching went down to my calves. I broke out in hives between my legs. Today I noticed a rash under my arms.

The only change this month was taking Ocella. I’ve since stopped this to let the rash clear and will resume with Yasmin at the beginning of the next pill pack.

This generic should be taken off the market. This is not in our heads! This is serious side effects from a drug company who wants to make some money off women and do not care about the side effects.

When you break out in a rash from a generic medication that is serious!

I’ve been on the generic for half a year and have seen no side effects whatsoever. I think most women who experience the negative side effects because they are either allergic to the pill or can’t take generics. It’s not the pill causing these symptoms, its your body. Just like with any drug you have to ask your dr before you take it and get tested for allergies. You may have something you don’t even know you have.

I was automatically swithed to the generic after 3 years of being on Yasmine. I too have experienced head aches, bloating, really bad spotting, cramps and mood swings! Wow! I was shoked to see all of this! I did not think much of it before, but now, WOW! I am going back to yasmine as soon as I can!

Could it possibly be that the people who are having poor side effects are those who have previously been on Yasmin?

I am on my 3rd week of Ocella (never been on Yasmin before) and I feel better than I have in a long time. Yes I am a little tired, but my moods have improved tremendously. I had been on an anti-depressant before I started taking this and now I am happy to say I am able to attempt to be weened off the anti-depressant.

I hope that this continues to be a positive experience for me.

i’ve switched birth control pills 3 times from loestrin fe24 to yasmin and now to the generic version of ocella.

loestrin fe24 – i gained about 15 pounds and my acne was absolutely horrible. i’d never had skin problems previous to taking the pill.

yasmin did not bother me at all, in fact i lost some of the weight previously put on while taking the loestrin.

since ocella has been avaliable, my pharmacy has given me it. i have no problem with it. the only thing i notice that is different is the sunday before i begin my period i’m very tired/fatigued. other than that, i can’t complain.

they say birth control pills all react to women’s biology differently. i think that’s just the case with this new generic.

I was switched from Loestrin to Ocella because Loestrin made me kind of moody. My doctor recommended Yasmin, but prescribed me Ocella because it was cheaper. I gave Ocella a chance for about two months, and it was TERRIBLE. I had horrible, pounding headaches. It hurt just to bend over, I would get this sharp pain behind my forehead. I had absolutely no energy. I wasn’t moody anymore because I didn’t feel ANYTHING, I felt like a zombie. I was also nauseous all of the time and had no appetite… which may sound good for someone trying to lose weight, but I was still unbearably hungry but the thought of eating made me feel sick. Not the best way to go about loosing weight, I’ve heard Yasmin makes you loose weight anyway. I had my prescription switched to Yasmin and I am only on my second day and feeling 100% better.

I was diagnosed with PCOS a couple of years back, and was started on Yazmin, no problems then. Took Yaz for two years without a single complaint. Past month I have been taking Ocella and it is horrible. I have severe nausea lasting for 6-7 hours. If I take Ocella with food or milk, I throw up within 15-20 minutes.
I thought my body would need some adjusting, but seeing this webpage, I guess, I am going to throw away the rest of the box and go back and request Yaz.

I am so glad I began to put 2 and 2 together today and google this topic. I started taking Ocella about 3 months ago and during this time, I have had several severe migraine “like” headaches, nausea, dizzy spells, weight gain and decreased sex drive. Not to mention my extreme increase in PMDD symptoms and moodiness! I have finally realized all of these symptoms are all related! I didn’t have any problems when taking Yasmin and will gladly pay for it instead of this generic! Like others, my pharmacist just gave it to me w/o asking..so I will be going back to the name brand version ASAP!

FYI… My ob/gyn warned me that the generic is NOT the same as the name brand in ’strength’. I’d been on Yasmin for years and recently switched to Ocella. I was happy with the price difference and didn’t have any side effects. At my last appointment I mentioned the change and my doctor asked about my life plans- for instance would I be ok with a pregnancy or not? She suggested going back on Yasmin to be safer… I am now paying more each month, but more assured that my birth control is really birth control.

Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. Cheers! Sandra. R.

i am never the type of person to get nauseous and have only thrown up two times in my 25 years….that is until i started ocella. i started this only one month ago and CONSTANTLY feel nauseous, generally sick to my stomach, NO energy.

The nausea is absolutely terrible, and I don’t understand why when I used to take Yaz, I never ever had this happen to me. Are generics really the same thing? I’d rather pay more and feel great than save money and feel completely horrible every single day. Am I the only one? Ocella is the worst!

I was on Yasmin for years, before my first child, then for a while between kids and loved it- even had my Mirena IUD removed after I was done breastfeeding to go back on it after my first. Last year I thought I would go back on the pill to wean my 2nd from breastfeeding… Target pharmacy automatically gave me Ocella and I did not object; I had never taken it before and assumed it would be the same. I took it for one week and stopped- had 2 periods that month, but I was not going to stay on something that made me so obviously made me gain weight in less than 1 week! My little boy even noticed, asked if I was getting fatter!! I just realized that it might be the difference in the generic vs the Yasmin, and after reading tons of posts here and elsewhere I am pretty sure this is the case. I will be going back to Yasmin, as I really need to be on the pill because of my increased risk of ovarian cancer. I’m just glad to know that it’s not that my body no longer likes being on the pill, but just this one in particular! It’s been a few months, so I can’t really remember if I had any other side effects- maybe acne?

I have never taken birth control before, because I think it is un-natural. I was diagnosed with PCOS, and told that I was most likely infertile… I started researching this condition and was shocked that I had ALL the symptoms. Those of you who know, these symptoms are NO FUN!! Weight gain, acne, excess facial hair, funky periods or lack of… the list goes on. So of course, I wanted to do something about this. So I started taking Glucophage, which indirectly corrects the hormonal imbalances. It made me SUPER fertile to the point where I got pregnant right away. I lost the baby due to stress. Because this was so traumatic emotionally, I stopped taking the glucophage and decided I should take the pill to regulate my hormone levels without the risk of pregnancy. I have almost completed a one month cycle. So far… my boobs got big, I lost three pounds (but surprisingly still have increased appetite) but don’t get too excited girls, you still have to eat well and get off your ass to lose weight you cannot just rely on a pill!!!, and my skin cleared up and I am not having any more emotional outburst. There is nothing wrong with a pill if you are having negative side effects, it just means you are not compatible… It makes me laugh to see people that just want to lose weight, have clear skin and not cry (Which I do TOO), but just know that your body will respond in this way only when you have found a proper hormonal match for your body. so don’t suffer, just try something else. Eat right, drink water because BCs can make you dehydrated which is the NUMBER 1 cause of all the headaches people get on BC. and exercise to naturally cycle bad things out of your body. PEace out