update seasonale vs nordette

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2003
update seasonale vs nordette
4
Tue, 03-16-2004 - 3:49pm
OK. I posted before about whether I should take seasonale since my doctor suggested that I should not take it because of high stroke risk. I decided to take it anyway, but he called in a prescription for Nordette with 84 active pills and 7 reminder instead. He said it was exactly the same thing, but cheaper. Should I go with this, or insist on seasonale? He said the pharmacy just fills the seasonale containers with Nordette packets anyway, and not to worry so much. I only get a 3 month trial, and if all his well and I don't get migranes more often, he will call in a prescription that will cover me until next March. Any advice would be great. Thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 03-16-2004 - 4:25pm
Sweetie, go with your doc!

He's right, Seasonale is repackaged Nordette. Seasonale is primarily a marketing thing... The pharmacy doesn't do the repackaging but the formulation of the pills is the same. I hope that you can take Nordette safely. Thanks for the update. Post and let us know how your doing, ok?

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 03-17-2004 - 7:18am

There's no difference but packaging between Seasonale and Nordette, with the exception that Nordette is a Wyeth product and Seasonale is made by Barr Labs--they can't switch them at the pharmacy, Barr went to a lot of trouble to get Seasonale approved for the three month cycle!


Not sure what the doctor meant about high stroke risk.....none of the pills have a "high stroke risk" unless you fall into a certain category of women who shouldn't be taking any birth control pills at all....

Judie
Co-Community Leader for Birth Control
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"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." Albert Einstein

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2003
Thu, 03-18-2004 - 10:17pm
He said that since i am already at a high stroke risk, adding estrogen will increase the risk. He wanted me to take a pill without estrogen. I just pick up at the pharmacy on campus, and when someone takes in a Seasonale prescription, they give Nordette. They have signs posted all over that they will use generic or comparable for all prescriptions unless requested for something else.I had a presciption for Codeine and ended up with the generic. They do it all the time.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 03-20-2004 - 11:18am

Nordette isn't a generic, though, it's a name brand pill and technically a different medication....


In any case, if you're already at a high risk for stroke, you may seriously want to consider whether this is worth it or not.

Judie Cl for Birth Control