User Reviews for Viorele (28) oral

Horrible experience with Viorele. I was prescribed Miricette and like other reviewers, CVS gave me the generic Viorele. I gained 10-15 pounds within the first two months (I am 5' 7'' and went from 140-155 within weeks). When I visited the doctor she told me it was probably not the drug, but could be a combination of factors. I continued to use it and experienced depression and change in mood. Finally decided to stop taking it on my own, and dropped 10 pounds in a few weeks, and finally felt like myself again! Read More Read Less

I read about this drug and saw that the reviews were terrible but I tried it anyway because kariva was too expensive and the only pharmacy that carried it was 15 miles away almost. I am on the beginning of the second week and have no complaints. It works just like kariva but I actually get full really quickly and my cravings are not bad at all. I recommend trying this and disregard the bad reviews because it works differently on everyone's bodies. I've Haze terrible luck throughout the years finding a birth control that works. Read More Read Less

Being newly married AND diagnosed with PCOS (poly-cystic ovarian syndrome), my doctor prescribed Mircette. The pharmacy suggested the generic version, Viorele. I'd never had bad experiences with generic meds before, I went along with it. The experience was not much different than other oral contraceptives I'd used in the past, though I'd never used any for more than a month before. My stomach was a lot more upset on this certain one though, I would take it before bed to TRY to sleep through that side effect. Now here's the FUN part. Two months later, on my honeymoon cruise, I ended up being taken off the ship to the ER for extreme pain in my lower right side and right shoulder. After numerous scans and headscratching, the ER staff finally did a CT scan of my chest and found blood clots in my lungs (Pulmonary Embolism). I'm 30 years old, non-smoker, non-drinker, mildly obese from insulin resistance (part of the PCOS)but overall fairly active. This pain struck with no warning in the middle of the night, waking me up. I'd never had any 'leg cramps' or other warning symptoms other than my exercise in the mornings leaving more short of breath than usual. The doctor said the cause of the clots was the birth control. So, in short: This stuff nearly killed me.Read More Read Less

I have PCOS and would only get my period every three months. I started viorele mainly to regulate my period and horrific acne that only got a little clearer from facials, peels and microdermabrasion. Viorele helped with my acne. It's not perfect but it was a huge difference. I did break out during my period. But when it came to my cycle, two months I would barely get a period and then the third month it would be extremely heavy, nothing I have ever experienced before, That it got in the way of living everyday life. Last month it was the worst it's been and this month I did not get a period. I had to change to a new birth control Read More Read Less

I'm gonna have to switch BC after I finish this pack. I've only been taking it for 2 weeks, and already have terrible side effects. I ache all over, my skin has broken out with terrible acne, I'm spotting, and I'm an emotional rollacoaster! I've taken BC since I was 14 (I'm 24 now) mainly due to bad periods. I've been on countless BC and none have given me such awful side effects like this one, especially so quickly. I think once I finish this pack, I'm going to go back to Nuva Ring...

I first went on viorele for only a month and had to immediately stop taking it due to a health concern. I was put back on it september 2013 and have been back on it for about 5 months. It works wonderfully in the area of regulating my period. It is spot on every month and there is no spotting whatsoever between periods, (which before the pill i would have my period for 3 months straight!)So yes i am very happy that my periods are now about 5 days long. BUT since starting the pill, about a week (sometimes more) before my period, i get awful pms. I literally become depressed, and when I say depressed I mean DEPRESSED. I literally almost withdrew from my first college semester because of this. I cant focus or think straight because of my emotions. I am literally crying constantly and I lash out at everybody. I never had mood swings before starting the pill. I also never got cramps before either, but NOW I get such awful cramps that i can barely move and my breathing feels shallow. On a positive note, I was so afraid of gaining weight, but I havent gained a pound. And BOOBS (it could just be a growth spurt since it just happened) but my boobs have grown a whole cuup size in the past month or so. ( if it is the pill, thank you) Overall, Im very torn about how i feel about viorele. I am afraid that if i go off the pill, I will bleed continuously for months and months again. But is this extreme depression I have for 2 weeks a month really worth it?Read More Read Less

I first went on Viorele for only a month and had to immediately stop taking it due to a health concern. I was put back on it september 2013 and have been back on it for about 5 months. It works wonderfully in the area of regulating my period. It is spot on every month and there is no spotting whatsoever between periods, (which before the pill i would have my period for 3 months straight!)So yes i am very happy that my periods are now about 5 days long. BUT since starting the pill, about a week (sometimes more) before my period, i get awful pms. I literally become depressed, and when I say depressed I mean DEPRESSED. I literally almost withdrew from my first college semester because of this. I cant focus or think straight because of my emotions. I am literally crying constantly and I lash out at everybody.(my poor boyfriend gets the worst of it, God bless the kid) I never had mood swings before starting the pill. I also never got cramps before either, but NOW I get such awful cramps that i can barely move and my breathing feels shallow. On a positive note, I was so afraid of gaining weight, but I havent gained a pound. And BOOBS (it could just be a growth spurt since it just happened) but my boobs have grown a whole cuup size in the past month or so. ( if it is the pill, thank you) Overall, Im very torn about how i feel about Viorele. I am afraid that if i go off the pill, I will bleed continuously for months and months again. But is this extreme depression I have for 2 weeks a month really worth it?Read More Read Less

If you are reading all these other reviews do not panic like I did. I am 25 years old and I am just over my first month taking this pill and I'm having very positive results. I've been on the pill for over 10 years and have tried a few different ones. Most recently, I had been taking Loestrin 24FE, until it was replaced by a different pill that my insurance wouldn't cover. My Dr. switched me to Junel which is a generic for Loestrin 24FE, with the same active medications in the same amounts as Loestrin 24FE but my body did not react the same. I suddenly got severe cystic acne all over my face and back(I have never had a problem with acne)and I also suddenly went from a 3 day period to literally having breakthrough bleeding and my period for every day of the entire month. After 3 months of that torture I asked my Dr. to switch again. She now put me on Viorele and my experience has been great so far, although I have only been on it for a little over a month. All of the acne caused by Junel has cleared and I am back to a more average length period of 5 days. I also don't have any mood swings like others are describing(trust me my boyfriend would most definitely let me know). So, don't let all these other reviews scare you from trying it, everyone is different and I have had no problems with this pill, in fact it has "cured" the problems from my last pill. Again, don't panic you might have as good as an experience as I have had. Read More Read Less

I have for the past three years been taking the birth control Kariva this past time i went to the pick up my pill pack i was given Viorele. I asked my pharmacist why I had been switched without being consulted or notified and I was told that is was the equivalent of Kariva just a generic. WRONG this pill has made me Nauseas,given me headaches, and moodiness and i have only been on the pill for a week. I am immediately calling my doctor tomorrow and getting switched back to Kariva. DO NOT TAKE VIORELE. Read More Read Less

As a first time birth control user in her 20s these reviews really intimidated me when I stumbled upon them while trying to research which birth control my doctor prescribed (which led my CVS pharmacy to give me the generic Viorele). Since reading everyone else’s comments I have purposely waited to share my experience until after I have been on Viorele for more than 3 months (to know that my body is fully adjusted). It has been mentioned by other reviewers that everyone is different and I agree but I have personally had NO side effects since I started Viorele. Instead, I can feel normal now in place of a hormonal monster and I am so thankful for that. Read More Read Less

My pharmacy switched me to this pill 2 and one half months ago. I started having breakthrough bleeding, pain around my ovaries, fairly regular cramping and seriously uncomfortable lower back pain and headaches. As if those fun symptoms were not enough, my sex drive plummeted and I have vaginal dryness during sex despite increased discharge (thick mucus like kind) daily now. I take birth control to prevent pregnancy but also to alleviate heavy menstrual cycles with debilitating cramps and headaches. These issues are starting to rear their ugly heads again. In fact, the negative side effects have continued to increase to the point where I became alarmed something else was going on. In reading other reviews, it appears that my symptoms are likely attibutable to this pill. After Christmas, I will be getting on something new. Read More Read Less

I have been on many different type of birth control pills since I was 18. Yaz, Necon worked the best for me. After having my son at 25 my doctor switched be from Necon to Viorele for a lower estrogen pill to avoid weight gain and breast growth. It has been the worst month ever on BC. I have had no sex drive, breakouts, very moody & sensitive and my bust went from a small C to a lg. DD in 3 weeks! I am a petite 115 lbs , 5' 5'' girl and all my weight is being carried in my chest its very painful and un attractive. I called my doctor and she is switching me back. This drug is horrible. Nothing positive to say about this pill other then I did not get pregnant on it! Read More Read Less

I mainly use birth control to help with my period problems - heavy bleeding, painful cramps & backache, extreme fatigue. I was taking Yaz but after all the negative press freaked me out I wanted to switch to something else. Over the past year while taking this pill my periods aren't as heavy as they used to be but I do have irregular bleeding. cramping is very minimal but my back pain is worse. the fatigue is actually WORSE than before. i'm talking i can easily sleep for 15 hours straight when i'm on my period! and i'm irritable/very anxious before/during my period which i never had a problem with before. the only upside about that part is my anxiety makes me want to get everything cleaned and organized. my libido is non-existent too which is very weird for me. i don't know why i chose to google the side effects of this drug tonight, but after reading other reviews it hit me that i've been having all these issues. i've never had side effects like this before so i didn't even think these changes in my mood would be related to the birth control. my yearly exam is coming up & i'm definitely going to ask my doctor to prescribe me something different!!Read More Read Less

I, too, was switched by my pharmacist to Viorele from Kariva, which I had taken with no issues for almost 3 years. I began noticing my mood changing almost immediately- I spent a good chunk of time crying about the smallest things (including an incident with my mother-in-law that normally both of us would brush off no problem- instead, I was sobbing uncontrollably over it!) I have always been extremely regular, but I began having breakthrough bleeding almost continuously during my 3rd pack and still wasn't sure what was wrong with me until I did some research and discovered all the negative side-effects others has had. I finally contacted my pharmacist and doctor and have Kariva coming back to me when I start a new pack on Monday. I'm sure many people can take this and have no problems, but I was clearly not one of those people! Really pay attention to how your body is reacting if you are switched to this drug!Read More Read Less

I've been taking Viorele for over a year now, and it occasionally gives me very lengthy periods (I'm currently on week #5 of my 4th ever month-long period). I also still have fairly bad cramps. However, I'm only using this medication for birth control and it is very effective at preventing pregnancy. I would recommend Viorele to anyone that doesn't want to get pregnant and doesn't mind long periods or strong cramps.

For everyone reading, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL. It is dangerous. I was on Zovia for almost 11 years, but it just wasn't working for me anymore. My periods were longer, had some bloating/swelling, weight gain, and it wasn't helping with ovarian cysts (which is the primary reason I was on an oral contraceptive pill). My doctor switched me originally to Mircette because it has a lower dose of estrogen (I am 35 years-old) and she thought it would bring me less side effects. Well, CVS replaced Mircette with Viorele and said that if I wanted Mircette it would be $50.00 and that Viorele is the same. Now, I know that generics are absolutely not the same because I have been allergic to these inert ingredients before. The pharmacist insisted it is the same. I took my first dose this past Sunday evening, no issues. Second on Monday night and had some trouble sleeping, but nothing terrible. Then on Tuesday evening, I started having terrible chills/shakes that lasted for over an hour, No fever, just uncontrollable shaking-I thought I was having a seizure. It was really scary. I took the Viorele that night and my symptoms only worsened considerably! I continued to have episodes of violent shaking and very rapid heartbeat with chest tightness. I thought I was having a heart attack. I was also wired, as if on some kind of amphetamine-I was up all night and wasn't tired until later yesterday afternoon. It was insane-I have NEVER felt that way. And I never want to again. I called my doctor and she said to stop the pill, although hadn't heard of a reaction as severe as this. I didn't take it last night and feel so much better-heart rate is back to normal, I slept, and no more episodes of violent shaking. Bottom line-I am not sure if I was allergic to the hormones or the "inactive" ingredients. The pill is more dangerous than most people realize-especially this one. I know everyone is different, but I felt like I had to share my story. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE IT. Read More Read Less

I was on kariva for about 6 years and had no problems with it. Then all of a sudden my pharmacy switched me to viorele and said it was the generic brand of it. Well I took it and it was horrible. I had mood swings, weight gain, and worse of all it completely took away my sex drive. I had my dr call up there to find out why I was given this and the next day I had my kariva back. When I stopped taking the viorele my sex drive came back and my mood swings subsided. Never thought a birth control pill would have and effect on me but it did.Read More Read Less

After 5 years on Yaz I switched to Viorele because of all of the hype. The worst 3 months of my life. Headaches, nonexistent sex drive and miserable mood swings. I've never been one to blame these issues on my birth control but it was so obvious. It almost ruined my relationship. I have been on a new pill for a week now and already feel like a new person. Do not take this pill.

I too was on Kariva and got switched to Viorele...i only been taking it for a month but i have notice the change in mood swings. My BF tells me all the time that im being bitchy. After last night chest pain episode i decided it to look it up and found this. i thought i was the only one going through this. Calling my doctor today to switch.

ive been taking this medication for about 2 weeks now and i have been feeling horrible. I have been so nauseous and have even been throwing up. I have also been experiencing the mood swings. I'm so glad I read all these reviews. I will not be taking this pills after I finish this pack.