Why I agreed to switch to Gianvi for a $10 savings, I’ll never know. After 1 and 1/4 pill packs, I threw the rest away and demanded a fresh pack of Yaz. I gained 10 pounds in 29 days! I have been the same weight my whole life. After reading the posts above mine, I feel lucky that I did not suffer from some of the more severe side affects that come with this obviously inferior treatment.

Birth Control should be free. birthcontrolmatters.org After insurance, I am still paying $60 for the genaric. Ridiculous.

My pharmacist or doctor or SOMEONE switched my prescription without me knowing it _ from Yaz to Gianvi. At first I was excited because it was only $10 co-pay, as opposed to the $25 with Yaz. But I recently found that I have a terrible attitude taking Gianvi. The hormones in it have to be different or something. THEY SHOULDN’T SWITCH YOUR PRESCRIPTION WITHOUT NOTIFYING YOU FIRST.

Wow…I am shocked to read all this, and relieved as well. I went to my pharmacy three months ago and they told me that there was a new generic available for Yaz. Thankfully, my pharmacy gave me the choice…but, practically living paycheck to paycheck, of course I opted for $10 instead of $35. For the past three months, I have felt HORRIBLE. I cannot tell you what I’ve gone through. I’ve missed many days of work due to migraines, upset stomach, panic attacks, dizziness, numb fingers, etc. Not to mention that I have been the most depressed and lethargic I have ever been in my life. The worst part is that I haven’t had my period in 3 months since I started the generic (the opposite of what most of you ladies have here). I reluctantly went out, bit the bullet, and got some pregnancy tests…fearing the worst. Sorry, but I am on birth control for a reason. It came out negative, thank goodness, but just experiencing that scenario alone was enough stress for one year. So I began to worry what else was wrong with me. Should I get an MRI? Do I have anxiety? Do I need medication? I even thought cancer at one point. That’s extreme, but I was REALLY freaking out about my symptoms. Then I just thought about it today and like a light bulb, there it was…I started new birth control about 3 months ago. This was the first page I came to and I feel relieved to know that this isn’t all in my head. I’m still going to go to my OBGYN to make sure everything is okay, but these drugs obviously cannot be exactly the same if people are having such adverse reactions to them. I am definitely going back on Yaz ASAP. I just can’t believe that it is my dang birth control that has caused me to miss so much in the past three months due to feeling like a bump on a log or sick. I hope they take this drug off the market!

I have been takeing Gianivi for about two months.I have also had abdominal pains, mood swings and to top that off I have had a cycle for over 2 weeks. “That does it I am threw with this GIanvi. I will return to Yaz and be back normal.

After reading some of the comments, I also had the experience last month to get Gianvi instead of Yaz and I just realized that something was wrong when I was paying and the pharmacist charged me only $15.00 co-payment instead of the usual $50.00. I didn’t want to take the risk. I know there are other cheaper pills but It took me a while to find the one that gave me less side effects and believe me, as women that have to go through all the pain every month I am hesitant to change meds just because it’s cheapear. However I am questioning if there is any profit, incentive or something like that for pharmacists to just change the prescription for generic without asking you first.

In response to Keith, who had his daughter on Yaz for 2 years and is trying to get it for her, again…I would be greatful that your daughter was taken off of Yaz. My daughter was onYaz and, as a result, had a massive blood clot, when she was 20 years old. She missed a semester of college. And, because of her clot, she will have health problems and will have to take coumidin every day for the rest of her life. If she wants to have a baby, she will be a high-risk pregnancy. She is 25, now, and still has to use a leg pump every day because of swelling. When looking at your daughter’s heavy and irregular mentrual bleeding, I would take those over taking the risk of her having worse problems because of taking birth control. Especially at such a young age!

My daughter (now 15) was on Yaz for two years to control heavy and irregular menstrual bleeding. She was switched to Gianvi by the insurance company without any notice. She has experienced terrible mood swings and possibly depression following the switch. I find this practice of switching with no prior notification medically irresponsible and unacceptable. I am contacting my insurance company immediately and refusing payment on the unused product. I am also requesting a new prescription from her doctor tomorrow for Yaz. This product has worked well for my daughter and switching against both mine and my doctors request is unacceptable. I have no doubt that this will be the subject of a class action suit in the near future. My goal is to ensure I don’t need to participate in that since we limited her exposure and damages associated with this premature generic.

I’ve been on Yaz for about a year and it was great. I suffered from a lot of moodiness and depression around my period. My mom and I called it “Red Week”. Once I began Yaz, Red Week disappeared. I’m pretty sure I have PMDD. I received the generic recently. I used one pack in July-August, then found I still had Yaz for August-September. Then I had to go back to the generic in September. I didn’t notice the changes so much in that first month b/c I had a lot of stuff going on in my life but after the last month, I’m not “me”. I’m an emotional wreck of “me”. Both my boyfriend and my parents have noticed the change. I am calling my doctor today to find out how I can get my Yaz back. If you’re taking Yaz for PMDD, just be aware that it might not work as well. Pay attention to your mental and physical health. I hope the generic will work for you as well as Yaz.

I was sent the generic and should have asked for them to replace it with the brand name. I must admit during the time I was on the generic I was also under a tremendous amount of stress at work, but I believe there were noticeable differences in my mood, demeanor, how I felt, I had an acne breakout that I haven’t had since I started it, and I had some weight gain. I just got a refill yesterday and will NEVER go back to the generic form. And by the way – generics are not the same. I used to sell drugs and learned really quick that the generic form of the drug is allowed a variable of the percent of the active molecule (the active drug). It was 5 years ago so I can’t remember the exact percentage – I want to say it was +/- 20%. The same manufacturer could deliver different “lots” of the drug and each lot could even have a different level of the active molecule (as long as it was within a +/- range of 20% of the level of drug manufactured by brand name drug. So, what you can get with generics is an inconsistent level of the active molecule, from pack to pack. For some drugs this is not a major issue, but for birth control, I prefer the same consistent level of the drug each month, especially since it affects our moods. And another thing – most drug stores and pharmacies make more money selling the generics, so they are not just selling you something that will save you money – it also makes them more money. They much prefer selling the generics and will often fight to keep filing scripts with generics. Even when some of the docs I called on indicated the script be filled with the name brand, some area pharmacists refused to do so. They don’t like being told to fill brand name. And one more thing – the last person who can give you real guidance regarding the side effects and possible health implications for a common prescription drug is, unfortunately, your doctor. Doctors these days – especially your primary care docs – are just revolving through us as quick as possible and any patient who asks for a specific drug is likely going to get it. Your primary care docs get very little reimburstement these days and just want to get patients in and out – which also has to do with the fact we are all on the Internet now diagnosing our “ailments” and wasting their time with our hypochondria and overload of medical information. I am not blaming the physicians – they should have never allowed pharmaceutiacal companies to market directly to consumers and the Internet can be trouble. That’s another topic though. Hope this helps.

Normally I’m all for generics and take generic everything, and I encourage people to take generics when possible, unless there is a medical reason not to. That being said, I switched from Yaz to Gianvi about three months ago and have been experiencing much more breakthrough bleeding ever since. While on Yaz, which I took for 5 years, I had breakthrough bleeding at most every 3 months or so, but only when I skipped placebo weeks (and avoided my period) for 3 months at a time. Within days of switching to Gianvi, I have had breakthrough bleeding at least every two weeks, even when I go on my period that month, so I’m basically having two periods per month now. To get FDA approval as a generic, the activity/distribution in the body has to fall within a small range of the original brand drug–it doesn’t have to match exactly. So if you’re someone who is sensitive enough, that small change might be enough to effect you, which might be the case with me. I’m going to talk to my doctor in a few days to see what she says. I’ll try switching back to Yaz as an experiment to see if things go back to how they were. I’m not ruling out that this is just a coincidence, but I want to find out more and try switching back to brand to find out.

My wife was on Yaz for about 2 or 3 years before her Dr. approved the pharmacy to switch her prescription to Gianvi. As soon as she started taking the “generic equivalent” she had a heavier period that month. The Dr. assured her that it was the same ingredients. The second month of being on Gianvi, my wife is now pregnant! Gianvi DOES NOT WORK the same as Yaz. Another case of companies trying to save a buck at other people’s expense!

I was swictched to generic Yaz a couple months ago and now having breakthrough bleeding, cramps and moodiness. I have been on Yaz for almost 3 years without any side effects. So much for it being the same. This will be the last month of this generic med.

My doctor prescribed me the generic Yaz about two months ago and I experienced spotting and high anxiety. It can’t be the same as regular Yaz. I had never experienced spotting EVER before this drug. I was so anxious and moody that I just wasn’t myself. I threw away the 2nd half of the 2nd month pills once I felt so terrible. I haven’t gone back on regular yaz yet– it almost makes me want to stop bc all together. This experience was horrible. Since I have stopped taking the generic, I have lost a few pounds and am back to my happy self.

My 19 y/o daughter was given Gianvi, the “generic” version of YAZ. She was surprised and clarified with pharmacist at Walgreens who assurred her it was the generic form of YAZ. After feeling sick with intermittent abdominal pain, nausea and having no period for 6 weeks she went to the doc who referred her to a gynecologist. The gynecologist said that Gianvi is NOT a generic form of YAZ and that several pharmacies are making the substitution. My daughter is diabetic and Gianvi is contraindicated in people with diabetes. No wonder she was sick.

I was on YAZ for PMDD for about 8 months.- my symptoms cleared up about 95%. Then about 3 months ago the pharmacy switched me to gianvi- I’ve noticed a slight increase in moodiness/food cravings on the “off” pill days. I talked it over with my doctor today & will stay on Gianvi- my yaz would be 40$ a month now and gianvi is only 5$. 35$ difference is huge for only a few, mild changes in symptoms; plus my periods are lighter with Gianvi. I will keep a close watch though…good luck ladies

Wow, I never thought all these women had the same trouble as me!! I was on Yaz for a yr for peri menapausal symptons. I’m not even 40 and I had terrible bloating, acne, fatigue, etc. Yaz was a Godsend! Walgreen’s “offered” Gianvi (at $5 a pack) so I took it. I knew something was wrong after one month. My stomach felt awful, the boating was back and the fatigue and everything else. One of the side effects I got from Yaz was a dark pigmentation on my face (butterfly marks) which I had when I was pregnant, but still worth the benefits. They started to fade too…hmmmm. As soon as that happened I knew it was the Gianvi. I get 3 at a time, so I finally finished the last pack this month. I go to Walgreens to ask to switch me back and they said the insurance covers a whole lot less since the generic is out. I pay $30 a pack now. It’s still worth it to me, but I think I’ll call my doctor and see what else I can do to get the price down. I can’t wait to start back on Yaz!

This morning I’m on my way to the doctor again after waking up to head-to-toe blisters 2 days ago. Having been given two steroid shots, i skipped my bc pill and doubled up on gianvi last night to make up for the missed dos. i woke up at 5am itching again and my face is swollen. we decided it has to be gianvi and did some research and am so glad to know the other symptoms of dizziness, and moodiness (which i’ve never experienced before) are more than likely caused by this new generic bc. Nothing is worth this! By the time I pay for doctor visits, steroid shots and travel to my doctors office (1 hour) repeatedly, the new generic has cost me lots of money and stolen my health.

Quote: “Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. admitted that the Physician Prescribing Information included with packages of its oral contraceptive Gianvi™, falsely claimed that the ethinyl estradiol in the product was stabilized by Bayer’s patented “betadex as a clathrate” formulation, and in fact, that Gianvi does not have Bayer’s patented stabilization formulation. Gianvi is Teva’s product and is sold as a generic version of Bayer HealthCare’s leading oral contraceptive YAZ® (drospirenone & ethinyl estradiol).” Fr: http://pharma.bayer.com/scripts/pages/en/news_room/news_room/news_room96.php

Wow! I am so glad I found this site. I thought I was going insane, and it is so great to hear that I’m not alone. I have been on YAZ for over 5 years and just switched to Gianvi because it was $10 rather than the $70 I paid for YAZ. I was thrilled that there was finally a generic and took it with no questions asked. I also immediately started spotting and breaking out terribly. (I’m 25 and have not had skin issues this bad since high school.) I also felt super depressed and stressed out and even cried at times like other people said. And to top it all off, I too gained weight…about 5 pounds…in 2 weeks!!) I decided to completely stop taking it in the beginning of my 3rd week in the cycle and just get my darn period, in hopes that the spotting would stop after that. I had my period for 6 days (not including the days I spotted) and am finally seeing with clarity. I am relieved to hear that I am not alone in my dilemma and will be promptly searching for a new pill that doesn’t make me crazy and doesn’t cost me $70 either. Wish me luck!

I was on Yaz for several years and very happy with it. The past two months that I have been on the generic have been horrible. I have been having terrible mood swings like I have never had before and feeling depressed. I really don’t care that it cost less money, what does that matter when nobody wants to be around you when you act like a psycho all the time? I wanted to stay on the Yaz but told that my insurance (which I pay over$310 a month for) won’t cover it. I will be seeking other forms of birth control and I urge others who have had an experience like mine to do the same. Anyone who says generic is the same as the name brand has it all wrong in this case. It’s disgusting!

I had originally witten here on Sept. 3, terrified of taking Gianvi after reading the reviews. After MUCH discussion with my doc, a nurse, and two pharmacists…I decided to try it. Been on it for about two weeks and so far so good. Although the one thing I’ve noticed that SUCKS is that my skin is breaking out SOOOO bad now. I never had skin problems before! I had such pretty, clear skin…even on Yaz my skin was clear…and now Gianvi is making my face break out AND my back and shoulders. It’s really annoying. I don’t know what else to do though…my insurance refuses to pay for Yaz now and I don’t have an extra $80 a month or whatever to pay for it! Ugh! Yaz was working perfectly fine…why did they have to go mess with me and create Gianvi? Boooo.

I am having serious issues with Gianvi and am (strangely) relieved to see other people are too and I’m not just going completely insane. I have been on Gianvi for 6 weeks after being on Yaz for almost three years. In six weeks, I have gained 10 lbs. for no apparent reason. I am breaking out with acne constantly, sweating at night, having horrible cramps, and spontaneously crying. My insurance requires me to purchase prescriptions like birth control in a three month package. If I want to switch back to Yaz, I will have to pay for it out of pocket until November. At this point, I would rather be on no birth control until November than take another pill of Gianvi.

If gianvi is the EXACT birth control as yaz, why are their two out there? I don’t get it? Why would they sell yaz AND the generic brand? Why not just sell the generic brand and stop all the confusion. Is it so companys can make more money and rip off the american citizens? If insurance companys were going to switch us to the generic brand why put us on yaz in the first place? I dont get it.

i have been on Gianvi for two months – it is NOT the same as Yaz! i have noticed i am much more moody, i always feel like i want to eat (i know that sounds weird but i can wat a whole meal and want to snack 5 mins later!). then the real kicker…..i have gained 8 pounds! and no, i dont give into my munchies. i eat healthy and am working out everyday plus i teach dance several nights a week. so there is NO reason for me to be gaining weight like this. i am going to the pharmacy today to fill my script and am going back to Yaz!

I recieved Gianvi on a re-fill prescription that the doctor wrote out before the generic was put on the market. I have to do my prescriptions by mail (Caremark) and had no idea this generic was coming instead of the Yaz that I have always gotten. And to top it this generic was more money than the original. I actually paid $10.00 more for it. Now I dont know if is the pharmacy or the pharmaceutical company that had the nerve to price the generic more money than the Brand Name. I spoke to Caremark and they said that is there procedure to send any generics when available to the consumer but why would it be MORE money. I feel this is very unfair to the consumers and to the company that originally made the Brand Name…

I was on Yaz with no problems but was paying $70.00 a pop for it. Gianvi is only $30 a month, but I noticed I have ALOT of spotting with it almost everyday, and also my skin problems have returned, Yaz had cleared them all up. So I guess its not exactly the same.

I have taken yaz and gianvi and they are HORRIBLE!! they made me gain a total of 15 lbs in a period of two months, and i’ve had sevre depression after taking them. after just relieving myself from birth control completely for a while i’ve lost all the weight and i just feel like myself again. so just be warned not all side effects are great, yes it did regulate me but the weightgain and depression was not worth it.

I’m a pharmacist for CVS and I’ve been on the brand Yaz for 3 years now and it worked wonderfully for me. Then once the generic was available I was excited I would have a cheaper copay for my birthcontrol. Well…. I never thought I would say this as a pharmacist, but there has to be something different in the generic because I’ve had lots of spotting/cramps on Gianvi. I never had spotting on Yaz. We are taught in pharmacy school that the generic has the exact active drug ingredients as the brand. I’m not sure what’s going on with that generic, but in the meantime I’ll be putting myself back on the brand Yaz.

My 17 year old daughter was put on Yaz Jan it was her Happy Pill!! She had severe acne, not to mention she would bleed so much and scream of pain before yaz it was heatbreaking but then we had Yaz!! AMEN she has the clearest skin periods nice and light no pain oh and the best part she sleeps and eats like a normal person … and not to mention the nice person to be around …. then we get the generic she was in tears saying my happy pill ..please do not change me … she has taken the generic for 9 days … her face is broken out , she is crying and moody , and headaches…Thank God I have a few samples left over of Yaz this generic is NOT the same do not chance it.

So I had my period 2 weeks ago and I was completely bed ridden. It literally felt as if I was giving birth to something. I had intense pain that all the Tylenol in the world couldn’t relieve. I had to take 3 days off work, I day being my F-in Birthday. I bled like I was stabbed and kept on bleeding for 2 weeks. I had terrible diarrhea, sweating like crazy because of the pain, also leg and back pain, and couldn’t sleep at all. I broke out so bad it was awful and I packed a total of 12 pounds. Thanks a whole lot Gianvi. I’m glad to report that I’m back on Yaz and already feeling better.

I was on Yaz for almost three years before starting taking the generic version two months ago. I am almost finished with my second pill pack of the generic and it will be my last. Since starting the generic, I have experience spotting throughout the month and acne break outs—problems I never had on Yaz. Overall Yaz worked very well for me. I didn’t have any issues with weight gain, and my boobs definitely got bigger. BUT, I have suffered from mood swings around the time of my period since starting the pill. Lately I have been concerned about the reports of Yaz-related deaths, but I have no family history of high blood-pressure, etc, and I am afraid to start taking anything new. Guess I’ll be sticking with the real Yaz for a while longer…

I was on Yaz for a year and a half, then went off the pill for a few months. I hadn’t realized it, but some of the side effects people are mentioning above (mood swings, hair loss) went away as soon as I stopped taking it. I thought I was just in a stressful relationship, and didn’t realize the pill might be the problem. I went back on the pill in August, and when I got the prescription filled they gave me Gianvi. Within a week, the mood swings were back (worse almost) and the hair loss started again. I did some research, and discovered that there could be a vitamin deficiency caused by the hormone levels in the pill. I started taking a multi-vitamin that contained extra Folic Acid and Zinc along with additional vitamins for extra C, E, B12, B6, . Ever since I started the vitamins my mood stabilized, and I have more energy than when I wasn’t even on the pill. Gianvi plus the vitamins are still a lot cheaper than 1 pack of YAZ. The only other double-edged sword for me is the periods. My first was only 3 days long, and the next one barely existed. I like the quieter periods, but they obviously add anxiety regarding pregnancy. No nausea, but since I had that with YAZ, I’ve learned that it’s better to take the pill at night so that any side effects such as that don’t bother me during the day. I don’t have acne or pain symptoms, so cannot address those. Hope this helps anybody who still wants to work with the less expensive prescription. There are ways around the side effects.

I should have known this wouldn’t work, got the gianvi instead of yaz, 2 weeks into the pack i’ve had a period (first one in 3 years), night sweats, hot flashes, unbearable cramps,mean-ness, irritability…..all the reasons my doc put me on yaz to begin with….and i’m not even to the placebo?? guess i’ll be throwing a temper tantrum in his office this week….since i can’t control my pmdd without my miracly happy pills!!

my pharmacist recently switched me to gianvi after taking yaz for about three years now. my dermatologist put me on yaz it to get rid of acne, and it was like the miracle pill for me. my skin cleared in a month, i had 2 day periods most of the time, and no cramps. in the two months that i took gianvi, my face started breaking out constantly, i had major lower back pain and abdominal pain, and weight gain, which is weird for me b/c i can’t gain weight for anything! and a 4-6 day period. it was the most horrible “generic” i’ve ever taken! i went to my obgyn who gave me this little card that gives me my first prescription of yaz for 5 dollars, and thereafter for 20. so i am currently back on yaz & loving it. generics cannot be 100% the same. my body could tell a HUGE difference apparently.

I was placed on YAZ for migraines and it has been my lifesaver. but my new insurance does not cover Yaz or the generic form Gianvi. so I would rather pay the 75$ for the generic than the 100$ or above that the name brand cost. my experience with Gianvi is that it IS NOT the same as the name brand YAZ. my headaches have come back, and I am spotting now with this new crap. I am trying to find a way to get back on the name brand without paying the ridiculous price. anyone else on Yaz for other purposes than birth control? and now see that Gianvi isnt the same??

Mydaughter has been on Yaz for 3 years. back about june she was switched to the Gianvi brand. soon after she began having abdominal pains….she was seeen inthe ER twice…underwent a CAT scan and Sonogram and saw a surgeron….we never asked for her to be switched but the allmighty Walmart policywas to give generic if available and didnot tell us. she stoped the drug fro a month or so the pain went away…started it on a tuesday and by saturday was inintense pain again…we have since put her back onthe name brand yaz…this generic needs to be pulled from the market….she never had pain with the name brand Yaz

I’ve been on Yaz for years and was given the Gianvi just over a month ago. Yes, it was much cheaper – but with the side effects I have been experiencing, it’s so not worth it! I haven’t been sleeping good. I have a lack of energy. I am a runner and training for a 1/2 marathon. I run 2 a year. This past month a can’t complete runs. I might have to pull out of the race. My face has been breaking out. I gained 5 lbs out of the blue. My husband says I’m moody and snippy – not my personality! I”m usually a pretty positive, upbeat person! I called my Dr. today to switch back to Yaz. She said I am the first to have issues, but it could be because I’m very “in tune” with my body. Hope I can get back on track! It just seems like there was never much info on Gianvi. Did they test this pill? It would have been nice to get compensated for trying it and having to go through the miserable side effects! Unfortunately I live in MA and Yaz is super expensive – hope I can find some way to knock down the cost. Just not fair!

DO NOT TAKE GIANVI I know many of you are excited over the savings, but the health risks are NOT worth it. My pharmacy replaced my YAZ prescription with Gianvi two months ago. Since that time I have had nausea, migraine headaches, dizziness, mid cycle bleeding (I’m talking a full fledged period during the 2nd week of the pack), my blood pressure has skyrocketed and I have gained 17 lbs in two months. I passed out Friday night and am told that I actually stopped breathing for a minute. I was rushed to the ER and my blood pressure was through the roof. I am going to my primary physician tomorrow to see just how much damage this medication has done to my body. 5 day off the meds and my blood pressure is back down a good bit (137/73), but my normal BP is 117/70. I urge all of you to use caution when taking this medication. I would urge you to STOP usinging it immediately!!!!

I had been successfully using Yaz to control my severe menstrual bleeding. The first month they switched me to the generic, I am experiencing the worst period of my life (and that’s saying something) with severe blood loss and passing clots the size of my fist. (my doctor and I are deciding right now whether I should head to the ER). My pharmacist told me she had received several similar complaints. Clearly there is something different between Yaz and the generic.

I consider Gianvi toxic. Since going on this pill, I have gained 15 lbs in less than 2 months. I am getting severe migraines and have been so depressed. If I stay on this pill, I will wind up 200 lbs and probably dead because the depression has been so extreme. I am not on any antidepressants as I did not have a problem with depression until I took this garbage.

I started taking Gianvi at the beginning of this month when the pharmacy switched me from Ocella…I noticed and pointed it out to the person ringing me up. She said, “Oh they must have just switched it.” I told her that I was a firm believer in the – If it ain’t broke dont fix it- saying…She said I should be fine….Well here I am 28 days later with no menstruation and feeling horrible. I’m worried I am pregnant because I have never ever missed a cycle. Not to mention I got my first pimple in YEARS… I constantly don’t feel well and I’ve gained at least 5 pounds….I really wasn’t planning on a pregnancy so I’m pretty worried. I’ve been reading all the other comments of women skipping their cycle so It’s a little bit of a relief that the rest have had negative pregnancy tests as well. Good luck all..I’m switching back A.S.A.P.!!!!!

Wow…after reading all this, I am TERRIFIED to take Gianvi. I’ve been taking Yaz for 2 years and never had any issues with it at all. In fact, it has been the only birth control pill to help me with my intense symptoms of PCOS. I’ve tried many different brands for many years and it was the only one out of all of them to help me! I am specifically on Yaz to help with my health issues, it’s not like I’m a healthy woman who is taking it just for birth control reasons. My husband isn’t going to be happy at ALL that I’m going to refuse to take Gianvi, which is only $10 and instead go back to taking Yaz, which was $40 (after insurance coverage)…and now Yaz is likely to be even more expensive. So…wonderful. I won’t be taking Gianvi after reading and hearing an insane amount of very negative reviews. It’s just not worth it to me.

So I’ve been having the same issues as everyone else. I have been on Yaz for probably the past 4 years and absolutely love it. Just recently in the past 3 months my pharmacy has been giving me Gianvi. I have been having headaches, nausea, dizziness, weight gain, and aches. I did not really think anything about the nausea and dizziness because I thought it was just from the horrible Alabama heat and maybe getting too hot. I didn’t think anything about the headaches because I thought it was just the stress from school. What made me wonder was the weight gain. I haven’t changed any eating habits and in the past week I’ve gained 5 pounds!!!!!! and I work out! I knew there was a problem. I was so relieved when I saw this posting to know that I was not alone! I called my pharmacist to see if they could swap me over but my insurance wouldn’t cover it. They told me it would be $80 out of pocket. I’m a student and definitely can’t afford that. I called my mom to see what I should do. She told me that if I called my OBGYN to let them know the problem, they should be able to write a prescription specifying to fill as written…no generics and insurance will have to cover it. I called this morning and they called my pharmacists after I spoke with them to get my prescription changed. I knew that all of you were having some of the same issues with Gianvi as I was and I thought I should let you know that this worked for me. You might try calling your doctor as well to get your Gianvi changed back to Yaz. I can’t wait to get back to feeling normal again! Good luck yall!

I am in the health field and my mom is also a pharmacist, so I know that the generic is the exact same as the brand name. HOWEVER, I had been on YAZ for 3 years. Suddenly, I was sent the generic. At first I thought I was sent the wrong prescription as many others did, but then realized the generic has been released. I normally have no problem with generics, but I have been having major side effects with Gianvi that I had not had with YAZ. I’ve been having leg cramps that feel like a “charlie horse,” acne, bloating, very painful intestinal cramps, and random depressive emotional swings. I am all for generics, but when they are giving me these new side effects, I wonder if there will be a recall for Gianvi.

After being on Yaz for 2 years my pharmacy switched me to Gianvi without concent and it was a drop of 30 dollars but now I am getting acne and I never had acne even before I started Yaz, I am gaining weight, major nausea, dizzy, and light headed. I was put on the pill because of having ovarian cysts and Gianvi is not helping with those like Yaz does. I refuse to take more than 1 month of this medication with or without insurance co-pay its horrible.

How long has it taken for those who go back on Yaz from Giavni to feel normal again. I have been on Yaz again for 10 days, through the inactive pills and now 2 of the first active pills. I have a good day then a bad day. I am definately not normal yet. The dizziness and almost fainting is new to me.

After being on Yaz for alomst 2 years I recieved the generic in the mail in July. Within 1 week I noticed weight gain of 3 lbs. Within the following 2 weeks I expierenced the following additional symptoms: Pain in my rihgt leg, sleeplessness, headache. Called the doctor he said there is no reason I should be expierencing these problems switched me to Junel (loestrogen generic). Gained an additional 3lbs as a result. Calling the doctor again this week to switch back to the brand name YAZ….definately don’t think the Yaz generic is the same drug.

I had been taking Yaz for sometime and when I first started taking it a felt a little nauseous so instead of taking it in the day I took it in the evening and I was fine. I switched about a month ago to the so called generic and my nausea has returned tenfold, I am also getting pain behind my eyes, blurred vision and sharp chest pains every once in awhile. I attributed the nausea to the pill but was unsure about the other symptoms so I started to look up what the side effects were and if other people were experiencing them and sure enough they were. I am getting off of this and either going back to Yaz which I like (depending on cost) or switching to ortho-tri-cycln. GIANVI ISHORRIBLE!!!

The pharmacy that i currently go to just switched me from Yaz to Gianvi, i was excited for the fact that my insurance now covers Gianvi, rather than Yaz, so in summary i dont have to pay the 80.00 for Yaz now my BC is free..