Nikki and Acne: What Users Say

• Sti...
• November 6, 2020

For Birth Control "This makes 5 months on Nikki for me. My body acne has completely healed. I was on the Mirena IUD right after my second child, and it completely messed up my hormones. I gained 30 lbs in two months. Now being on Nikki, I have officially lost 20 lbs without any real change to my diet. Wondering if I'm crazy or if this BC has actually straightened out my hormones. Has anyone else experienced weight loss?"

• Ban...
• April 1, 2020

For Acne "I was prescribed two different birth control pills since I first chose to go on it, and my experience with both was not great. I would experience spotting, severe anxiety and mood swings, and then very severe cystic acne. This past October, I switched to Nikki for the sake of my skin and anxiety, and I have never been so happy. My skin has been PERFECT since starting this pill, my hormones feel so balanced, and I could not be happier. I HIGHLY recommend Nikki for anyone experiencing difficulties with emotions, anxiety, or cystic acne."

• Suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2020

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I'm 3 months in on Nikki after switching from an IUD. Acne is about the same, but that's never really been a huge issue. I still have spots here and there, but nothing crazy. I didn't spot, and my periods (which I didn't have on IUD) are light, regular, and only last 3-4 days. What I really wanted was to clear up my mood swings. Once a month, I broke up with my poor boyfriend. I literally went crazy and couldn't think straight. But since I've started this pill, I've had no issues."

• Sin...
• December 2, 2020

For Acne "I’ve been on this Nikki birth control pill for about 3 weeks, and so far the side effects suck. It makes me feel more depressed, stomachaches, and it’s really hard for me to eat without feeling nauseous. I switched from the birth control Junel Fe, which did nothing for my skin. I’m also currently on spironolactone (have been for 3.5 months), which has helped my skin a lot. However, since switching to Nikki (Yaz generic), my skin has started breaking out like crazy. The zits I’m getting are huge, and some are painful. (I have 4 zits on my face right now that came out of nowhere.) Before I switched, I wasn’t getting these kinds of zits. However, I will say that I have a lot of hope! First of all, I was expecting an initial breakout. Breakouts are a common initial side effect of switching BC pills. From reading other reviews, most people say it gets worse before it gets better. I’m sticking with this. A few months from now, I’ll post an update on here to report on how my skin is doing."

• Hap...
• January 14, 2020

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "So far, it has been good for me. Please understand that everyone will respond differently to any type of birth control. I had severe PMDD. I'm talking about suicidal thoughts and actions during the week of my period. When my period ended, my PMDD symptoms would just disappear (this is different for any woman with PMDD). While on Nikki, I have no PMDD symptoms, I just had regular PMS. Be aware that this state can change from month to month because PMDD is very complex. There was no EXTREME amount of emotional instability for me. This is one of the reasons why I'm ranking it so high. My last birth control gave me acne, and Nikki cleared that up for me within a month. My sex drive is perfectly fine as well. The only thing that I see as a drawback is that I've been having a few migraines with it. But I have chronic migraines, and when I switch, this typically happens for a few months, but then it slows down. Side note: Nikki is generic for Yaz. They're the same birth control."

• cc2...
• September 28, 2017

For Birth Control "DO NOT TAKE THIS IF YOU WERE SWITCHED FROM GIANVI. I was on Gianvi for a year and had no issues at all, and my pharmacy switched me to Nikki last month. Since I switched, I have bloated, felt depressed, and have acne (and I have never had more than two zits in my entire life). Do not let your pharmacy switch you to Nikki! I am going to try non-generic Yaz and see how that goes. I do not usually write reviews, but these last few weeks on it have been miserable!"

• Mor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I have my tubes tied, and I suffer from PPMD and PTLS. I went back on birth control after not taking any for 4 years because I wanted not only extra protection from pregnancy but to get my period symptoms under control. I told my doctor that I used to take Yazmin, so she recommended Nikki this time around. About 3 days in, I started breaking out in pimples in places I normally don’t get them, like on my forehead and around my nose... (I only get acne on my jawline right before starting my period). I am now 3 weeks in and am suffering from HORRIBLE depression, so much that I am suicidal at this point. My sex drive has been nonexistent, and for the life of me, I can’t get wet. This BC has caused a huge strain on my mental health and relationship. I’m only 3 weeks into taking Nikki, but I am going to stop taking it right now, not another pill down the hatch. Terrible and wouldn’t recommend."

• mas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2019

For Birth Control "Only 3 days in on Nikki and am having acne like I have never experienced in my life. My face has never been this bad. I have never had acne in my life, and my face looks like it blew up. I am exhausted. Multiple naps a day, exhausted. Can’t get out of bed, exhausted. I’m sure it works for multiple people, but I’m incredibly unhappy. At this rate, I won’t even need birth control, my face looks so bad, it’s its own birth control."

• MMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Nikki for a week and a half, and it completely messed up my stomach. I am always nauseous, always hungry, and I have been having diarrhea. I also constantly have a weird taste in my mouth that won’t go away no matter what I do. I haven’t been spotting or getting headaches, but I did break out a lot, and I have been very irritable. I cannot wait for this month to be over so I can switch birth controls again."

• kat...
• October 24, 2018

For Acne "I went on this pill to help alleviate severe cramps, lighten periods, and improve acne. I originally was on Aviane, but found that its progestin hormone caused acne, so I switched to Nikki. While on this pill, my periods were worse than when I was on Aviane. They were heavier, and my cramps were worse-they barely responded to Advil. My acne, however, was totally fine. Honestly, this pill is great for skin, and I've noticed a huge positive change; however, I've decided to switch pills due to the other side effects. I've become severely depressed on this pill, irritable all the time, horrible mood swings, and EXTREME fatigue, not to mention loss of sex drive (I NEVER want to have sex anymore-my libido is at 0%). I didn't experience any weight gain or breakthrough bleeding, though. I would honestly say it just depends on the person. I thought the side effects would disappear, but I've tried this pill for 8 months, and there is no sign of them going away."

• Mad...
• October 13, 2017

For Birth Control "This medication has made my acne severely worse. I have also been experiencing burning sensations during intercourse after beginning this medication. I am not aware if this is the cause, but my doctor has tested for everything else, so we are considering this may be the issue."

• sas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2024

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Immediately fixed my PMDD/PMS issues, which was a godsend. I finally felt normal, and it was within the first pack or two. I’ve had some days where I’ve been depressed and lacking motivation, but I wouldn’t say it’s constant. I have not gained any weight, but it’s been a bit harder to lose weight (I was already trying to lose some before starting Nikki). Acne seems relatively the same for me! My biggest qualm with this is my sex drive is 0 here on the 5th/6th month. It started out super strong, then about 2 months ago just disappeared. I’d say I get a “spark” in the libido department maybe once a month. Maybe. Rough trade-off for me personally - it fixed all my issues (or did not worsen any pre-existing issues like acne or weight gain) but destroyed my libido."

• KCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2018

For Birth Control "My pharmacy switched me over from Gianvi to Nikki. Since taking Nikki, which has been for about 4 months now, my once clear skin has become a playground for acne. Not only is my skin a problem, but my periods, my horrible cramps have come back, and I never know when it's coming. One of the main reasons for being on birth control is to regulate my cycle and also help with my PMDD. I plan things around when my cycle will be, and with this I have had to miss wax appointments because my period just shows up randomly. Can't forget to add the headaches, nausea, weight gain, blurred vision, and the biggest problem being mood swings and aggression it has caused me. I have found myself becoming increasingly aggressive, and that's not me. Thank goodness I went and saw my doctor last week, and I have now been switched back to Gianvi. I can't wait to feel back to normal again."

• Neg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2019

For Acne "I never post drug reviews because I am in the medical field, but man, I sure wish I would have read up on this drug before taking it. Within the first two weeks of being on this Nikki birth control, I developed back-to-back headaches and minor mood swings. Now, three weeks in, my face has gone ballistic, and I have cystic acne everywhere. This drug has started interfering with my career since I get self-conscious talking to doctors with a face full of zits. I now have to get back on Accutane to combat the side effects of this horrible drug!"

• Ali...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 23, 2018

For Acne "I was on Gianvi for years, and my skin was like glass. I was thin, no mental issues, etc., and had no problems until my pharmacy randomly switched me to Nikki. I've since gained 10 pounds on my 5'5" frame. None of my pants fit. My super thick hair has been falling out like crazy. My cystic acne is back. My mood swings are back. My cramps are back, and my periods are heavy. What is this pill? Stay away!"

• Sam...
• October 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I was taking Gianvi for five years, maybe longer. My pharmacy switched me to Nikki about four months ago, and I have noticed a major change with my body ever since. I have started cramping and spotting two weeks before I am supposed to start. I've also noticed more acne and some major mood swings. I'm glad to see that others are having the same problem as me. Once my current pack is finished, I will be finding another pharmacy that sells Gianvi and switch back to it."

• Sav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2019

For Acne "Before Nikki, I was taking the name brand Yaz pill for a year. On Yaz, my face was so clear and amazingly smooth. In the 3 months I’ve been taking Nikki, my face is broken out all over and makes me so upset and not even want to leave the house. I struggled with acne years ago and took Accutane, which healed me, but Nikki brought all my acne back. Do not take this pill."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2018

For Acne "I have been taking Loryna for a couple of years now and recently had to switch to Nikki because CVS had stopped selling Loryna. Within a week of taking Nikki, I had noticed that I was getting more acne than usual. Second week into Nikki, my whole face was covered in cystic acne that made me want to stay inside all day. I had migraines that hurt so badly I threw up and almost passed out. Not only that, but I felt like I could cry at any given moment, and I was so tired for no reason. I quickly realized Nikki was the cause and found another pharmacy that carries Loryna, and I can't wait to feel better again. Nikki has been the worst experience with any birth control I've ever taken, it was almost as if I stopped taking birth control altogether. DO NOT TAKE NIKKI!"

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2018

For Acne "I have been taking Loryna for a couple of years now and recently had to switch to Nikki because CVS had stopped selling Loryna. Within a week of taking Nikki, I had noticed that I was getting more acne than usual. Second week into Nikki, my whole face was covered in cystic acne that made me want to stay inside all day. I had migraines that hurt so badly I threw up and almost passed out. Not only that, but I felt like I could cry at any given moment, and I was so tired for no reason. I quickly realized Nikki was the cause and found another pharmacy that carries Loryna, and I can't wait to feel better again. Nikki has been the worst experience with any birth control I've ever taken, it was almost as if I stopped taking birth control altogether. DO NOT TAKE NIKKI!"

• Sma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2018

For Acne "My daughter received Nikki as a generic substitute from the mail-order pharmacy. She immediately broke out in hives, and her acne was much worse. She did not immediately attribute the hives to the BC and went to the doctor for some steroid medication. As soon as the steroid medication was finished, she was itchy all over again. I finally found on the Nikki website that this is a lesser-occurring side effect, and she stopped taking it. Watch carefully for side effects when you start taking any new medication!"

• Rem...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 21, 2020

For Birth Control "Absolutely do not like this birth control, Nikki. Was fine at first, but it slowly made me so anxious and so depressed I could barely function. It made me break out worse than I ever had before, and it made me so bloated all the time. Even when doing everything right, I still couldn't lose weight. Would not recommend."

• Ste...
• November 11, 2017

For Birth Control "I’d been taking Gianvi for years without any issues, then my pharmacy randomly switched me to Nikki. I’ve been using it for the last 2 months, and since I’ve started using it, I’ve had frequent migraines, mood swings, acne, and weight gain. None of these occurred while taking Gianvi."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2019

For Birth Control "I read the reviews on Nikki before I started it - saw the negative comments but stayed optimistic that it might work for me. After about a week on it, my acne became pretty bad, and I noticed that I was having pretty significant hair shedding, which was awful since I already have very fine hair. Also, this may just be coincidence, but I also noticed extreme fatigue and depression at the same time while on this medication."

• Pan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2019

For Acne "This birth control made me break out in cystic acne all over my chin. Take note, I’m 21 and never had acne in my life! Also, if I even miss one day, my period starts and is extremely heavy. Even if I take the pill exactly the day after missing my period, it still cycles for an entire week. Also, my sex drive has been terrible since starting this pill. I can never get wet anymore, and sex feels like a chore. I would never recommend this pill."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I just wanted to post this for the ladies who are taking Loryna, and your pharmacy now keeps giving you Nikki. Switch pharmacies and save yourself the time and heartache. I took Nikki for two months and just switched to Walgreens to get Loryna back. My hormonal acne came back, cramps, and I gained weight! I was using it for birth control, but if it’s going to make me a chunky, acne-covered psycho, I don’t think having sex will be an issue. Stick with your Yaz/Loryna, girl!"