Generic Yaz Lawsuit Filed Over Launch of Gianvi Birth Control by Teva

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Teva Pharmaceuticals announced this week that it has launched a generic version of Bayer’s Yaz birth control pill, which will be marketed as Gianvi. The announcement has sparked a patent infringement lawsuit from Bayer, who says Teva is breaking an agreement between the two companies. 

The generic Yaz lawsuit was filed shortly after Teva announced the copycat pill. Bayer officials say Teva is violating a contract between the two companies that prohibited the generic drug maker from launching Yaz generic until at least July 2011. Teva officials, however, say that the contract allowed them to sell the generic birth control pill early under certain conditions.

Yaz (ethinyl estradiol and droperinone) is a birth control pill manufactured by Bayer, which contains a fourth-generation progestin that is only found in Yaz, it’s precursor, Yasmin, and Ocella, a generic Yasmin version. While Ocella is also distributed by Teva, Bayer still manufactures the pill under a prior agreement between the drug makers.

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Earlier this year, Bayer reported a 10% drop in Yaz sales for the first quarter of 2010 amid growing concerns about the potential side effects of Yaz and Yasmin. The losses in the healthcare division were at odds with gains made in other parts of the company, which saw a 5.3% increase in sales overall for the first quarter of 2010. The successful launch of a Yaz generic would likely cause Bayer’s profits from the birth control pill to fall even further.

“Demand for [the Yaz family of oral contraceptives] in the United States suffered particularly from the discussion surrounding the thrombosis risk of contraceptives containing drospirenone,” the company said in its report. “However, Bayer continues to believe that the risk profile is comparable to that of other combination oral contraceptives.”

Bayer currently faces more than 1,100 Yaz lawsuits, Yasmin lawsuits and generic Ocella lawsuits filed throughout the United States on behalf of women who allege that the drug maker failed to adequately research their birth control pill or warn about the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening injuries, such as stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, gallbladder disease and other complications.

Critics have pointed to drospirenone as the likely cause of an increased risk of blood clots and other serious health problems with Yaz and Yasmin. Many of the complaints filed against the drug maker allege that a recall of Yaz and Yasmin should have been issued after post-marketing reports suggested that the birth control pills carry a higher risk than some other oral contraceptives

Tags: Bayer, Birth Control Pill, Gianvi, Ocella, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Yasmin, Yaz
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294 Comments

kacie
I started taking Gianvi seven days ago and have gained over 5 pounds (and I live a very active lifestyle). So none of my clothes fit and this has put me over the edge. Talk to your doctor right away if something does not feel right, do not wait a week like I did. I also experienced horrible nausea the first four days, swollen feet, exhaustive and the mood swings are back. I can’t stop crying and I’m fat, thanks Gianvi!
Barbie
I had the Mirena for 3 years and decided to remove it and try birth control. The Mirena was not controlling the bloating, acne, moodiness etc … My doctor prescribed Yaz and when I took the prescription to CVS I was asked if I wanted Generic brand for $10.00 or Yaz for $50.00 – I of course asked the pharmacist what the difference was and he said nothing except $40.00 a month. I went ahead and requested the Generic brand. I am currently on week 2 of Gianvi and very afraid of taking any pills but I am glad to say that not much has happened. During week 1 I had morning sickness one day, nausea another day and some dizziness here and there but nothing I couldn’t control. I was more afraid of getting the headaches than anything else due to having had an aneurysm 8 years ago. I hope this works cause if it doesn’t I will have to live with having my period every 3 weeks and feeling just terrible almost everyday of the week. I always try to stay away from taking any pills due to the side effects but what could be worse than getting your period every 3 weeks – anything you take can cause side affects and that is a risk we all take when consuming drugs. I hope this helps.
Abby
BEWARE OF THIS GENERIC! I started taking the generic this month (before I found out about this lawsuit) and it’s awful. I’ve gained weight and feel like crap. I went to my gyno and she said that they are NOT the same thing and changed my prescription to a different pill.
April
I personally think Gianvi is horrible….Since I switched from Yaz to Gianvi I’ve been spotting constantly. When I found out there was a generic I was pretty happy, my co pay for a three month supply went from 43.00 down to 20.00. But the problems I’m having really are not worth the money I’m saving. I will be going back to Yaz.
Julia
When i found out there was a generic form of Yaz i was excited as i pay $40 per pack and with generic $10 but my pharmacist said i was still being charged the $40…to make a long story short my insurance company told me that because the manufacturer didn’t make enough to meet the demands they are now selling it at brand price. So if i’m paying Brand price i want Brand…but the pharmacist said they are out of Brand Yaz…so i had to pay $40 for the generic, which i might add is causing break through bleeding and some cramping…i dont’ like it!!
Kat
Same story, went to pick up my bc, got generic instead of Yaz with no warning. I was paying $35 for Yaz and now, Yaz has gone up to $65 and Gianvi is $35. I’ve been on it for 2 months now and I hate it. I’m getting zits, cramping really badly all the time, my period went from one light day, one medium day and one light day to 5 days of heavy flow of very dark blood. I’m also much more tired to the point of barely being able to stay awake during the day, increased appetite, several headaches during the week, spotting, and gained 5 pounds. I went on the Bayer website and enrolled in the Bayer savings card that will enable me to pay $5 for my first pack back on Yaz and $25 for every pack thereafter. I’ve already called the pharmacy to tell them to switch me back and I’m picking up my Yaz pack today. Thank god Bayer did that!
not the same
I was so excited to learn that there was a generic yaz as yaz was costing me $60 every month. Immediately after starting Gianvi I had night sweats… like had to change my clothes drenched in sweat, gained 10 pounds in a month, and was the crabbiest I have ever been for no reason. It was awful Nothing has changed as far as a workout or eating routine… switched back to yaz this month and am curious to see what happens. I know it says its the exact same, but obviously something is different for my body to react immediately. so much for saving money… my sanity is worth more.
joann
After reading all this comment about the generic for yaz i will definitely stop taking mine!I was taking yaz for a couple years they never had no side effect on me!but after thet switched me to this generic one i just started 2 weeks ago i started having the side effect headaches and my concern was they can gain weight,just taking them for two weeks i weight 100lbs only and i am realy concerned about my weught but since i started this i sttart gaining weight right away for 2 weels taking this i gained 2 pound!NO way I WILL DEFINITELY STOP THIS TOMMOROW BEFORE THIS GENERIC TURNED ME FRM A SKINNY TO JELLY DONUT!SERIOUSLY!
melissa
Went to the pharmacy last month to refill my yaz, pharmacist says “there’s a generic now, is that okay?” I say sure. I save 4 dollars. I just finished my first pack. I have been bleeding for 2 weeks. Different than normal. Very dark. Weird. cramps. And acne is back. Today I feel like I might “start”. Heavy cramping. But since I’ve been bleeding two weeks one would think I surely must be about done? Called in my refill today and insisted on Yaz. At first, the pharmasist insisted that I continue with the generic bc my insurance would charge me more. Come to find out, its 4 dollars more. I will pay the 4 bucks to make the breakouts, cramps, and spotting go away. I will also be speaking with my doctor next week about revising my prescription to not substitute a generic. I only take yaz for acne and endometriosis and it appears this generic has done nothing to help me out with either. I took the generic willingly. I figured it was pretty much the same. Well, it wasn’t for me!
caitlin
OK, so basically everyones had different side effects when switching from yaz to gianvi, or nothing has changed at all. i would think women would be a little bit more concerned about whether this new drug is just as effective in preventing pregnancy or not, because honestly thats the only thing that worries me in switching.
Rachel
I just got gianvi today. It was weird cause my pharmacy usually gives me Yaz. It’s much cheaper than the 30 dollars I payed for Yaz. Now I only pay 15. It has the same risk as Yaz and the same stuff in it. The packaging is not very discreet but as long as it works I don’t really mind so much. I like that it’s cheaper because I have to take birth control no matter what because I have irregular cycles.
Brittnee W.
I’ve been using Yaz for nearly five years now and have never been happier with a contraceptive. I had tried Ortho-tri-cyclen and few others in the years prior to beginning Yaz and still suffered horrible cramps, mood swings, fatigue, migraines, and a general all-around sick feeling. After starting Yaz, I have had very little, if any, symptoms of PMDD. I went for my refill shortly after the pill was released in June, and like most other reviewers on here, I, too was concerned that there was something different in my bag. I’ve used the same pharmacy since I was a child, and the same pharmacist has been there for about 15 years and he assured me that it was the same chemical compound, and sure enough upon reading the label, I saw that he was right. I’ve been taking it for about a month and a half and have noticed no difference between the two and considering my insurance co-pay as went from $75 to $10, I’m certainly happy with the change.
Jen P.
I’ve been on Yaz for over a year and never spotted or had a period. Now I’m on my second pack of Gianvi and am bloated and bleeding everyday! Maybe the ingrediants are the same but I’m different now and am switching back to Yaz.
marti
Regret the day that I ever accepted this drug as a replacement for Yaz. It is why I am up at 3 in the morning suffering severe cramps 12 days into taking the drug. It is not working, I am break through bleeding, bloated, cramping, and suffering all the symptoms for which I began Yaz over three years ago. As a generic that is only 10 dollars cheaper there is no way that I would ever recommend anyone changing over to this drug. Please be warned it is not as effective!!!!
Tina
5 years on Yaz with poly cycstic ovaries. Yaz has finally helped me lose weight, balance my mood and become a normal woman and confident. Then the pharmacy switch to generic Gianvi – which has turned my life upside down. After three days on Gianvi I’ve had initial migraine with aura’s for the first time in my life. 7 intense migraines in 21 days and an MRI and a neurologist visit. This pill has change how I feel, has disabled me, impairs my vision and is awful. How can Teva say this pill is a generic.
Lauren
I am a PhD organic chemist and basically it’s my job to make molecules and drugs like the ones in yaz and gianvi. Firstly, there is NOTHING different between the two, they contain the same compounds in the same dosage. The reason the brand names always cost more is that it costs an average of $1 billion dollars to develop a new drug and take it to market. Patent rights allow a period of time for a pharma company to make back some of that money. Generics can be sold cheaper as those companies can take the brand name drug, work backwards to the compound (retro-synthesis) and produce the same drug without the cost and time of all the initial trials and tests the brand pharma company had to do. Don’t be scared of generics, I realize I may be a little more knowledgable than some due to my field of work but I’m so happy gianvi is here, my copay is $5 instead of $25 per month and I’m 100% confident in ALL generic scripts and OTC’s including this one
Meagan
I have been taking Yaz for right at a year. This past time, I went to the pharmacy to get my Rx and I got a generic form of it. About a week and a half into taking Gianvi, I began another period. I’ve never ever had that happen. The flow was beyond heavy and the pain got so bad I had to go to the Emergency Room for it. I went to my regular prescriber on Monday and he told me to immediately get back on name brand Yaz because generics only have to be at most 80% like the name brand and when messing with hormones that 20% can really mess ones system up. I do NOT suggest ANYONE to take Gianvi over Yaz….just pay the difference. I use Walgreen’s Pharmacy and my difference is only 7 dollars….
Jade
I was on Yaz for my ovarian cyst and Yaz actually made my cyst better the pain stop hurting and it cleared up my acne when i went to pick up my next perscripton of Yaz i got this ulgy caser of gianvi ITS CASING IS ULGY BUT REALLY i was scared to take it because i didnt kno how i would react to it ive been using Yaz for like a year and now i got somthing new that pissed me off i was doing just fine wit yaz and this new Gianvi stuff doesnt help my wit my face im starting to break out remind you i havent broke out in like a year so im very pissed just leave Yaz alone and let the poeple who lik it use but warn them i didnt get a warning but i take care of myself so i have no worries
Amy
I get my prescriptions through Medco…which is the WORST company on the face of the earth. I have been taking Yaz for two years and I LOVE it! It is the only thing that treats my PMDD. I tried generics at first and I got really sick from them. I get a three month supply via mail order. I recently had my check-up to get a new refill for the year and today I got my first refill. I opened the package and I got Gianvi. Medco never asked me if I wanted a generic, they just sent it to me because it was cheaper…yea….$10 cheaper. Thanks Medco…NOT! Does that even seem right to you? No. Shouldn’t they have asked me first if I wanted a generic? YES! ASSHOLES! Oh and by the way…thanks for sending me a medication that currently has a lawsuit against it…that’s just super!
Jessica
I was glad that they came out with a generic pill for yaz. It saves me a lot of money each month. I was paying $30 for yaz and now I only pay $5 dollars which is a big difference. The pills both do the same thing so it doesn’t matter if one is generic or not.
k
I was just sent Gianvi and I was horrified! My ob/gyn did not think that there was a generic available so she wrote me a RX for the Yaz ( I had great experiences with Yasmin) she did not write DAW. I have worked in the medical industry for over 10 years and I will only accept generic medications when it comes to treating certain things. BCP is NOT one of them! I usually give the generic a shot in most cases. I called the pharmacy and they said that this was the generic equivalent and I asked him when Yaz went off of patent and he couldn’t answer me. I also called my doctor in the meantime. I would advise that if anyone is experiencing any sort of a different feeling to call your pharmacy immediately. These things should be reported to the FDA. All companies keep track of Adverse Events and could eventually lead to a product label change or warnings. Furthermore, the difference between a generic and original name brand product is that they ARE DIFFERENT MEDICATIONS. The core molecule is the same, however fillers and other things that they add to the product could be different from the original. Range of variability by law can vary by 20%, meaning, it could be 20% more or less different than the original formulation. I am sure that we would all agree that less efficacy or concetration of the original molecule when it comes to BCP is NOT a good thing but more could lead to increased side effects or different side effects all together if different ingredients are substituted for the original version, thus a different response from your body. I don’t take chances when it comes to BCP, because it is dealing with your hormones and risk of pregnancy so I will stick with YAZ even if they come out with a legal generic formulation and I encourage others that are concerned about risk of pregnancy or increased PMDD symptoms to do the same.
stephanie
I have been on Yaz since 2006 and never had any problems. I went to pick up my refill yesterday and got the generic. Just the night before a friend was telling me how sick the generic brand made her and I was very skeptical. With my insurance the generic brand only saved me dollars. I got home took my pill and within and hour felt sick as a dog, like a train had hit me. I called the pharmacy and they refunded my money and got my insurance to approve paying for Yaz and recommended I take some benedryl.I rather pay the extra six dollars any day!! I got home took the benedryl and today I feel normal again. There is no way this pill is the exact same as Yaz if I had such a terrible reaction to it!
ssh89
double posting… after getting off of the computer, it struck me that a few things that have occurred in the last two weeks probably had everything to do with Gianvi. I made a calendar of the events, and they are definitely worth noting, one being a strange panic attack where I felt I couldn’t control my anguish, and its cause was eating too much spaghetti. This is far from a normal day for me. Yesterday, I had uncontrollable dripping sweat while I was at work. I also had a migraine the day before the panic attack, and a couple of strange zits I attributed to stress popped up the day after starting Gianvi and a few have yet to go away. This wouldn’t normally be alarming but they popped up on a face that’s been very clear for a very long time, and the way I have felt stressed can’t be explained by anything happening in my life. The only thing that has changed in a month has been my prescription.
Ariana
I have already used a full pack of gianvi. my doctor switched me without asking me, but i had no problem with it. I used to pay $25 for yaz, and now i only pay $10 for gianvi. It has the same exact active ingredients. Yaz would sometimes leave me with an upset stomach, and I haven’t had a problem with Gianvi. My acne has not acted up at all since switching. I went the whole month and only got two small pimples. no weight gain, no tiredness, i feel the same as when i was on yaz. so dont get discouraged by the comments on here ladies. Give it a try and see for yourself.
Ann
Like many previous comments I went to pick up my Yaz prescription about a month and a half ago and was given Gianvi. I was excited by the price decrease and was told by the pharmacist that it was “exactly the same” as Yaz. I have been taking Yaz for about three years and have been really really happy with it. I never had negative side effects and it cleared up my skin and helped me with my heavy periods that I have always had to deal with, and I was no longer moody around my period, etc. Basically Yaz did for me exactly what it said it was going to. I have now been taking Gianvi for a month and a half and I think it is awful. My skin started breaking out within the first two weeks of taking it. My sis said that maybe my body was just adjusting to a new med, but it is still breaking out. Also, I have been really tired and lackluster. I didn’t even attribute it to the Gianvi for awhile, but I just keep feeling worse and all the time I am feeling down and depressed. Thinking negative thoughts, etc. It’s normal to have the blues once in a while, but this isn’t like me to constantly feel so negative and depressed. I think it has to be the Gianvi considering how badly my skin is now breaking out since I started taking it. It can’t be a coincidence that this “bad mood” and bad skin reaction are happening at the same time I started taking the Gianvi. Anyway, I guess tomorrow I will go to the pharmacy and ask for yaz again. Will they make me wait until the end of the month to give me a new Yaz px or will I be able to take the Yaz again ASAP?
KD
Thankfully, I stumbled upon this page today while searching for answers about spotting, headaches, and weight gain. I, too, was switched to Gianvi three weeks ago. I’ve gained 5 pounds in these three weeks, and I started spotting today. I’ve been on Yaz for three years without any major problems. Thanks to everyone for sharing; it’s comforting to know I’m not alone.
Claire
I know that the ingredients of these two pills are the same, but GIANVI IS NOT YAZ. I’ve never had a single problem with Yaz, but after only a week on Gianvi I have terrible acne. Never in my life have I EVER had acne. I’m not willing to stay on this pill long enough to see how it treats my PMDD. I do not think it should be legal to produce something marketed as “generic” form unless it is the EXACT same, down to ingredients, dosages, side effects, etc. I just wish someone would have told me.
Mary
Just because there are a hundred bad stories here, I thought I’d share a positive one: I made the switch about three weeks ago. Had no side effects on Yaz other than a decreased sex drive. Not my favorite, but pretty standard for the pill, and way better than the constant vomiting caused by other pills. Since making the switch to the generic (which, it should also be noted, costs me 10 bucks a month now, compared to almost 60 before), I’ve noticed no difference except that my sex drive is back. I don’t doubt that there are people who may be reacting negatively to the inactive ingredients in Gianvi, but seriously, 95% of people, if not a higher percentage, should notice no effects. If you’re afraid to make the switch, it’s really not a big deal — and if it does turn out to be a bad switch for you, talk to your doctor and pharmacist and work something out. Seriously, ladies, let’s not be fear-mongers and encourage people not to switch. Your bad experience doesn’t mean everyone will have one, just like my having a good experience doesn’t mean that you didn’t have problems with the new pill. I’d imagine most of us are on Yaz/Gianvi in the first place because we had horrible side effects to pills that hundreds of thousands of other women use with no issue. People are different; our bodies work and process meds differently.
Maryanne
I absolutely HATE this Giavani! I have gained 5 pounds and my face is breaking out like crazy!!!! I am so upset with the way this pill has ruined my body and face within 2 weeks!
healthyRN
Yaz and Gianvi are not the exact same. Bayer is suing the manufacturer of Gianvi over false advertisement because the testing done on Gianvi tablets shows that the ingredients are not really the same. They are also suing over copyright infringement as their copyright does not expire until 2014. It took me a very long time to find a bcp that worked well for me in balancing weight with mood. Yaz worked very well for me. I can easily maintain my weight and not feel moody while on it. I reluctantly gave Gianvi a chance when my husband picked up my prescription for me and was told by our pharmacist that our insurance would not cover Yaz since Gianvi was now available. It has been three weeks and I now have acne which I never had in my life as well as almost daily spotting that I did not have on Yaz! I am 35 years old and haven’t had problems with my skin since puberty- and even then it was only an occasional pimple.. this is awful! I called my insurance and my physician. My insurance will cover the Yaz as long as my MD writes that the brand is necessary. Needless to say: I am switching back to Yaz!
noelle
‘@ tina I am in the same vote. I went to pick up this months perscription of YAZ and I was told that my health insurance has expired. I usually pay $30 with health insurance. Without it I would’ve paid $70. So the pharmacy gave me Gianvi, which I paid $54 for. I am very causious about taking it.
Sarah
Two more things….not only did my PMDD symptoms return but it doesn’t feel like the generic version has the diuretic because I felt bloated all month and I had a fairly normal “period”instead of the usual almost no “period”.
Sarah
I am so glad to hear that someone else had the same experience. When I went to CVS to pick up Yaz, I was THRILLED that it went generic because it saved me $55! Although the pharmacy didn’t ask me if I wanted to switch, I did so because I trusted that it was the same pill. I switched to Gianvi and was very UNHAPPY with the results. Like Sara, above, I only take Yaz to control my PMDD, which it does with fantastic results and quite seriously changed my life. Within 10 days of taking the generic version, I could tell that it was different. For the rest of the month I had symptoms of PMDD: isolation and depression. Not all generics are the same. It’s important to know that. Generics may affect 99 out of 100 people the same as the name brand however 1 person may be affected differently. And if you’re that one person, it’s not worth it. Congratulations to all who don’t notice any change.
Misty
Two weeks ago I went to pick up my YAZ refill. I noticed that my birth control only was $10. I looked inside my bag to make sure that everything was there and noticed I had a different birth control gianvi. I asked the pharmacy what is this. Oh, it is a gerenic. I suffer from PMDD and have already noticed that my mood has changed back to the way it was, I am achey all over again and I am not able to function. My face has even broken out in red spots. My face has always been clear. I am very disappointed. Gianvi is not the same as YAZ. I called my doctor and he is switching me back. If it works do not change it please.
PharmStudent
As a pharmacy student, I’d like to suggest that you all direct your questions to a pharmacist who is trained to answer them and has the knowledge to do so. Many of you seem angry that the pharmacy changed the prescription from Yaz to Gianvi without consulting them. By law in most (if not all states), the pharmacy must dispense the generic form of the drug unless the doctor indicates that a generic may not be used. I feel that the pharmacies should have made you all aware of this change when you picked up the medication though. Also, Yaz may cost you more now because when you refuse a generic option, the brand name is often more expensive than before. Many of you seem concerned that Gianvi isn’t approved to treat acne and PMDD, but since the pills are supposed to contain the same amount of the active ingredients the drugs will work the same and should provide the same benefits. However, with the amount of people who seem to be experiencing adverse effects, there may be a problem with some of the fillers present in the generic or even the active ingredients (I haven’t researched this too in depth yet). Since the generic was brought to the market too soon, most likely Gianvi won’t be available once the pharmacies run out of it, and the generic may be tied up in legal matters for years. I know this recently happened with the generic for Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Overall, I would just suggest talking with your pharmacist and doctor about any problems or concerns you have. Sometimes birth control pills take a few cycles to regulate with your body, so you might just need to give it a chance. Also, even though generics have the same active drug, some people don’t have the same effects due to fillers, etc. Oh and as far as where a drug is manufactured, if it’s FDA approved then it has been tested to contain the amount of active drug it says it does. Here’s a website that’s easy to understand for those looking around online: http://women.emedtv.com/yaz/generic-yaz.html
stacy
2 days after I started taking the generic form of yaz i fainted and when i woke up i couldnt talk or move the left side of my body for over 24 hours and then couldnt walk for 2 weeks. i have had severe headaches. i just visited my gyno about an hour ago and said to stop taking it that yaz is sueing gianvi right now for something illegal going on. i wouldnt take gianvi.
Jessica
Like others I was taken by surprise about the change. Three weeks in, when I went to my PCP I was complaining about being tired, increased mood swings and a few other issues that I thought would be either thyroid related or possibly pregnancy. Well my thyroid was more than fine and I am NOT pregnant. Apparently the switch to generic cause some major issues for me (for example I was sooooo tired I was almost falling asleep driving). I had to request a new script from my OBGYN with DAW (dispense as written) on it. I will be starting back on Yaz in a few days, but I have 2 months until I could see changes BACK to the normal me. The generic is horrible and I wish I never had the switch. It says it is the same, but that isn’t necessarily the case.
caligrlnwa
Just got my generic Yaz last week. Used to cost me $30 a month. Generic was 3 months for 25 since the insurance company was incouraging the use. So far the only side affect is Im hyper & start spring cleaning at 8pm. Yaz always made me tired & I was unable to take in am before work.
Sara
Alright, they had no right to change my pill from Yaz, which i have been on for 2.5 yrs, to this gianvi which i have already noticed my body changing, i was scared to take this new pill, and i was right. I have broke out in ache that has been controlled for my entire teen life. [i’m 17] I have PMDD and, it has only gotten worse since the change, i get really irritable over a lot. and my mom is fed up with me being angry all the time. I’m also very anxious all the time. When i was on Yaz and not this new pill, my PMDD was controlled nicely :). Yaz has become a part of my normal body, and now that its changing all of a sudden because someone decided to make a dumb generic brand, that makes me mad, i didn’t even have a say if i wanted to change it, but thats my insurance company. And they say Yaz has all these heart problems or stroke or whatever, i disagree, Yaz has been prefect for my life 🙂 and im going to try and get it back, and they better keep Yaz and not discontinue it. I agree with Tammie, its the patients decision to change. Also Sue, i would not fear at all, ive been on Yaz since i was 15, I haven’t had any problems with it 🙂 and thats good, the gerenic brand screwed me over, good for her, keep yaz! Julie, i have really been thinking about getting that card, i really hate how my body has changed with this new pill, i want Yaz back! Christiana, same thing for me i hate the side effects and im onlt through week 1!
Angie
At my last apmt my gyn and I decided that it would be a good idea for me to get on YAZ because I have had acne since I was a teenager, my periods are irregular and I have horrible mood swings. I don’t need it as a BC since I’ve had my tubes tied for over five years. When I got this Gianvi stuff and the pharmacist swore up and down that it was the same as YAZ I decided to go ahead with it. For the past three weeks since I started, I’ve had nausea, worse mood swings, stomach pain, and my acne got worse than ever! My husband thought it was all due to something else. I thought I was loosing my mind. I’ll be driving to the pharmacy today and demanding that I get YAZ.
ERiver
It’s true that meds are very expensive, and insurance companies try to not cover as much as possible. But, anyhow… Here in Puerto Rico, insurance companies don’t cover contraceptives. Yaz is around $75 and Gianvi around $55 (or about $200 less a year). The pharmacists asked about the generic switch for the refill, and it just made sense!
Renee
I too was switched to Gianvi from Yaz because of insurance coverage. I have been spotting and had weight gain of 5 lbs or more in the first week but still exercising and watching my carbs. I dont like it.
KMS
I went on Gianvi from Yaz about a month ago and I started seeing spotting and what almost looked like to be my period when I still had a good 2 weeks left of my pills. I have also felt a lot more sad and down then I usually do and I thought I was the only one with these problems so I am glad to know that I am not. I just finished the end of my “active pink pills” on Wednesday and like I said earlier I have already had my period/spotting for over a week so I hope that it doesn’t decide to continue going since I just finished my pills. Overall rating of Gianvi: F!!!
Kristina
I was on Yaz for 3 years and have not had one problem. This month my pharmacy changed my prescription (without informing me first) and after I asked why then did they inform me it was a generic. I have now been on Gianvi for 3 weeks. I DO NOT LIKE IT! It is not the same as Yaz it does not help for PMDD or acne. I have gained weight and walk around feeling bloated when I dont even have an apitite to eat and my face is completely breaking out. This will be the only month I am on the “generic” I am going back to Yaz even though it cost me $72.
Elizabeth
The last time I went to pick up my refill I was given Gianvi without being asked, and when I questioned it, they said there would be no changes. I ended up having spotting the entire second week and into the third along with getting a huge breakout. When I went into the pharmacy today to speak about it and get my Yaz back I was told I would now have to pay more for Yaz than I was before. Why should I have to pay more because I won’t settle for a cheaper pill that doesn’t work?
Amber
I was very hesitant to pick up the generic Yaz just days ago and since I have used it I have had a non-stop headache, horrible stomach pain, and feel like I could throw up all the time. I haven’t been able to sleep at all since I spend most of the night over my toliet thinking I’m going to vomit. I’m not going to continue my pack and will be seeing my OBGYN in a few days and will insist on having Yaz back. I also was on Yaz to help with any ance. I haven’t had a pimple for 2 yrs and will not risk having bad skin for this generic pill.
Angela
I recieved Gianvi from the pharmacy and have been taking it for a couple of weeks. I am experiencing side effects that are not there when I take the Yaz. I have been taking Yaz for about 5 1/2 years and have never had any problems. With the Gianvi, I’m having terrible mood swings, very painful cramps and as of today I started my period which I wasn’t suppose to start for another 2 weeks. I have called the doctor, but I am going back to Yaz for sure. Yes the price is nice for the generic, but not worth it to me.
Amanda
I Just got switched from yaz to gianvi. I have taken 11 gianvi pills and here are what my symptoms have been: I started the pill the Sunday after my period started (as normal) and on Wednesday night, Thursday night, and Friday night, I woke up in the middle of the night with BAD cramps. (it felt like I was starting my period). I have also experienced extreme fatigue, moodiness and irritability, and nausea. The nausea started about 3 days ago. Weird part about it is that it usually happens around the same time each day and lasts a few hours. (I imagine that this is what morning sickness feels like.) I seriously feel like I am pregnant. My symptoms are not constant. The only constant symptom is the fatigue. The ONLY symptom I don’t have of pregnancy is the breast tenderness. I have taken two pregnancy tests, but they were both negative. Has anyone else felt like this from switching??? I have NEVER felt like this on other birth controls! This SUCKS!
Hannah
I am also in my third week and have had spotting for the past three days which seems to be getting worse to the point of a full blown period. I wonder how much is he transition to something new and how much is perm. Also headaches
Lauren
Gianvi may be less expensive for most, but I have been taking Yasmin for 6 years, then switched to Yaz and have been on Yaz for over a year and a half, and went to refill my prescription and they gave me the generic type of Yaz, Gianvi. i ended up having an allergic reaction to Gianvi it was like chicken pox all over again and ended up having to go to the clinic and getting a shot, cream, and prescription pills to finally put a end to a horrible experience. In the long run, it ended up costing me more than just paying full price for he Yaz 🙁
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