Generic Yasmin, or is it generic Seasonale? How do I start this?

Question

My doctor prescribed Yaz, which, the nurse said, is like Yasmin. Well, my stupid Aetna HMO doesn't cover either. It only covers what I'm currently taking and getting breakthrough bleeding from.

I searched online for a cheap alternative, and found aclepsa.com, which advertises cheap generics of major brands. I ordered their generic version of Yasmin, and got something called "Ovipauz-L." Its ingredients are Levonorgestrel I.P. 0.15mg and Ethinyloestradiol I.P. 0.03mg, the same ingredients as Seasonale, not Yasmin.
I received 4 packs of 21 pills, and no instructions or info booklet. I was going to take it like the Seasonale pill, though (84 days of active pills, 7 days of nothing). My real question is, do I start the first pack right after I finish my current b/c active pills, or wait until after my inactive period before starting?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Did they require a prescription from you? I wouldn't trust this medication. There are no generics of Yasmin, Yaz or Seasonale on the market at this time. I would be very weary of someone selling what they say is the same medication.
Yaz has the same ingrediants as Yasmin, except instead of 21 active pills and 8 reminder pills, it has 24 active pills and 4 reminder pills, resulting in a shorter period. Seasonale, by the way, usually has breaktrhough bleeding for the first couple of months as your body gets used to the continuous hormones.
There are many birth control pills that come in generic. If you are not taking any of the tri-pills(ortho tricyclen, OTC LO, etc) you should be able to take two packs back to back, skipping a period in between them, so only having your cycle every 2 months. I've done that before, but had a full, regular period in the middle. My doctor said sometimes your body just has to do what it needs to do.
You could also see if a letter from your doctor explaining why you need Yasmin(it and Yaz are the only oral contraceptives that contain DRSP, or drospirenone). If there's a medical reason to be on those pills, your insurance company may cover them, though at a higher tier(Yasmin costs me $20.50 a month, without insurance it'd be $51).

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Thanks!

Answer 2

You really should call your doctor and find out if this is what you should be taking. She prescribed something specific. If you're not taking what she prescribed, she needs to know. Tell her that Yaz is not covered by your HMO and ask her if she knows what you should be taking. Good luck!