Switching to Tri-Sprintec?

[Sarah_Jane]

Sorry if this has been posted before, but I have been taking the brand name Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about 1 1/2 years now and last month my pharmacist gave me the generic Tri-Sprintec. This week I should get my period and finish off the pack of Ortho Tri-Cyclen and next Sunday I will start the Tri-Sprintec. So my question is, since I will be switching to a different pill in about a week, is there a need to use a back-up method since I will just be switching to a generic? If the pills are chemically identical, is there any reason to worry?

[Kszan]

This question has been posted here many times. You should look around and see what has been already posted.

The answer is that no you should not need a backup method. Providing that you are starting the tri sprintec when you would have ordinarily started your OTC then it shouldn't be any less effective.

However, you should also be aware that the pill, even when taken completely correctly, is LESS than 100% effective. That's why you should probably be using a backup anyway, regardless. I personally never trusted the pill alone for contraception and always used a backup, and I felt much better about coverage. I think it's very important to know that there have been unforseen pregnancies for women on the pill because it's not 100% effective all on its own. Just keep that in mind.

[lotus1234]

I was told by my pharmacist that Tri-Sprintec is the generic of Ortho-Tricyclen. I am no longer on it, but if that is the case, you shouldn't have any issues switching to it.