Orsythia and Headaches: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2014

For Birth Control "I've just completed my first week on Orsythia. Being that I had to start it during my period, I noticed a change in my cycle immediately. I'm usually a 3/4 day-er. I am now on my 7th day with no sign of let-up. That's a bummer. From what I've gathered from friends/family, it's just my body getting used to the hormones. But when is it going to end? No cramps, no mood swings, no headaches, and FREE! I guess, so far, so good. Just ready to be off my period!"

• No ...
• January 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill for 6 months now, and I'm calling my doctor today to switch. I'm constantly tired, my cramping is more painful than when I was on a different pill that was discontinued, I have 10-day periods when I used to have 3-4 day ones, headaches all the time, and absolutely no sex drive whatsoever. The only positive thing I can say is no pregnancies!"

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2013

For Birth Control "I was nervous taking this med after reading negative reviews, but after a rough first week that included nausea (quelled by taking Dramamine), a nasty headache, having my face break out (I am 46 and do not get breakouts), and then breakthrough bleeding...everything calmed, and I've loved the medicine ever since. All the original side effects went right away, and my period was extremely light and short...love it. Glad my Dr. convinced me to stick with it because I almost quit taking it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on the pills for 2 months, and I have been so emotional, as in depressed. I've had a little bit of acne, but it's not that bad. No weight gain, in fact, I've lost 5 pounds. Very, very nauseous but can't throw up. Headaches here and there. I'm not sure if I'll switch just yet... I'll probably try it out a little longer."

• Unh...
• December 5, 2011

For Birth Control "Orsythia was also given to me in place of my usual Lutera. I have never experienced side effects of any kind with Lutera, but Orsythia has caused me to have frequent headaches, moodiness, and full-blown menstruation in the second week of active pills."

• Ktg...
• September 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 2 1/2 months now. It's been downhill since 3 days after I started taking it. I've experienced headaches more often, weight gain (10 lbs), water retention and bloating, my mood has changed radically. I snap all the time for no good reason, irrational agitation, irritability. My anxiety has spiked, I've had multiple anxiety attacks since starting this pill (I am also on an anxiety medication and have been for a year and a half, and it's helped with my anxiety levels wonderfully until I started Orsythia). I'm almost at my breaking point with it. I'm going to finish out this month and switch to something else. The only positive thing I can say about Orsythia is that it has prevented pregnancy. Would not recommend."

• Mel...
• February 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I was given Orsythia because my pharmacy had told me that Aviane was being discontinued. I was also told they were the same thing and made by the same manufacturer. I contacted Teva and was told that the information I was given was wrong, that Aviane is not discontinued and not under the same manufacturer. Aviane was perfect for me: no acne, perfect moods, energy, and a good appetite (I need weight gain). The first week of Orsythia consisted of meltdowns, frequent headaches, dizziness, slight nausea, and acne-lots of acne. Into the second week, my nausea became a little bit worse and my temper would easily be disturbed, I also experienced very bothersome breast soreness. Stick to what works for you and do your research!"

• Hrm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2018

For Birth Control "This is by far the absolute worst birth control. It does its job at preventing pregnancy, but everything else is just awful. A week into it, I was ready to stop taking it! I had awful headaches and strong cramping and stayed nauseous. I gained a good bit of weight immediately, my face broke out and I was like, it's just side effects, it will go away when it gets in my system good. So I continued to take it. I stopped after completing the first pack. I had felt like a crazy person, my anxiety was through the roof, I was having mood swings, I didn't care about life, I went into an awful depression, and I was like, nope, can't do this, I knew it was the meds. So I stopped and little by little my stomach pains went away, the headaches were gone, my face started to clear up and I started my period again a week later and all the swelling went down, my mood swings, everything. But I have currently been bleeding nonstop, extremely heavy for 2 weeks now, no pains or anything."

• Sil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I was put on this BC because it was what my insurance was covering. I was on it for about 9 months. Prior to using Orsythia, I was on Lutera. I am now back on Lutera, thank goodness! They supposedly have the same ingredients, but Orsythia really made me feel awful. Here is what went on. Every month was different, some months I was extremely emotional, other months my breasts would get very tender, all the way through the nipple, ouch! I would also get frequent headaches, like maybe 4 a week. There was more cramping too. I connected the dots and told my Dr. and she switched me back to Lutera and put on the prescription that there should be no substitutions. I have been fine for the past 6 months since I changed back. Orsythia sucks if you ask me."

• ant...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 16, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Orsythia for 6 months for controlling dysmenorrhea, or painful periods. Before starting birth control overall two years ago, I missed at least two days of school and work a month because my cramps, backache, nausea, and headaches prevented me from doing more than sitting in bed crying. After Orsythia, I barely get a period, it lasts four days, and I rarely need to use anything more than a pantiliner. I get the occasional cramp, but nothing unmanageable. I love this pill!"

• Jan...
• September 9, 2013

For Birth Control "Been taking Orsythia for one month. I've noticed breakouts of acne along my jawline and some random ones on my upper lip, some weight gain. I feel a bit swollen at times, my feet and my arms mostly. My mood has not been affected. Although I have been getting a lot of headaches since I started with this pill, every day practically, relieved by Tylenol."

• Ano...
• October 8, 2015

For Birth Control "I have only been on Orsythia for about 1 month, and I just started my second week of my second month. I guess I didn't notice earlier, but I started to get slight headaches, and I didn't feel very well physically and mentally. It does help with my cramps and my period, not so much my acne, but it's better. The worst part of Orsythia has to be the mood swings and the sweating! I sweat a lot, even if it's cold, I'll start a light sweat. It's gross. But the mood swings are the worst. I just started feeling this, and it happened while I was talking to one of my friends. I just blew up on him for no reason. Then later on, I started to feel really bad (mentally), and I cried for a while, and I couldn't figure out why I was crying! I don't recommend!"

• Ash...
• July 4, 2013

For Birth Control "I will say that from experience everyone's response is different, and I've had much worse reactions to different birth control pills before, but I will list all of my side effects that I had from this medication: severe mood changes, I cried ALL the time (but I didn't feel angry, just sad), trouble wearing contacts, swelling of the fingers when working out, weight gain, some water retention, headaches, and NO sex drive. But on a good side, I had light periods, light cramping, no spotting, and I didn't get pregnant."

• Meg...
• January 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I had no problems when on Aviane or Lutera, but since my insurance switched me to Orsythia, my periods have gotten a bit longer, and my cramps have gotten worse. With Aviane and Lutera, I barely had any, but now they're back to like before I was on the pill. Plus, my breasts have been achy when they didn't use to be, and I've had more headaches. One month, I was even worried I was pregnant because I was so tired, bloated, and had so many headaches. I'm hoping I can get my doctor to write me a prescription for something else if my insurance doesn't cover Aviane or Lutera when I get my refill next month. Not terrible, but not as good as Aviane or Lutera."

• Bri...
• March 21, 2017

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for about 7 or 8 months, and I did not have a good experience at all. This was my first time on birth control, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. The first few months were fine, I noticed I was a little high-strung but thought it was due to other things going on. Once life had mellowed out a bit, I was still having these terrible mood swings. I only had high highs or low lows, with no in-between. I'd snap at my husband constantly, and I was extremely depressed. I had frequent headaches, and I gained 15 pounds when I had never had any major weight changes before that. I stopped the pill about two months ago and have noticed my mood swings have stopped, and I feel much better. The only plus was that I didn't get pregnant."

• JLC...
• July 6, 2015

For Birth Control "My experience has been horrible... I feel like throwing up all the time. The worst part is just the feeling of it. Also, my boobs are sore, and my body aches. I feel super bloated, and I actually look bloated. I guess this pill reacts in different ways for different people; however, for me, it has been a horrible experience. Some of the symptoms I have experienced are: calf cramps, headache, continuous nausea, body ache as if I were getting the flu, headaches...."

• JLC...
• July 6, 2015

For Birth Control "My experience has been horrible... I feel like throwing up all the time. The worst part is just the feeling of it. Also, my boobs are sore, and my body aches. I feel super bloated, and I actually look bloated. I guess this pill reacts in different ways for different people; however, for me, it has been a horrible experience. Some of the symptoms I have experienced are: calf cramps, headache, continuous nausea, body ache as if I were getting the flu, headaches...."

• CB1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2017

For Birth Control "I was originally on Microgestin Fe 1/20, using it for my period and birth control. I had very few cramps and very light bleeding with no side effects. I turned 19 and lost my health insurance and can no longer afford it, so I went to the health Dept. and they put me on Orsythia. I was told it is the same thing. I have been on this medication for a month now and I have only had headaches and extreme tiredness, some problems being mad for no reason. I haven't started my period yet, but I am only on the first inactive pill, so we will see. Will update soon."

• Cai...
• October 5, 2017

For Birth Control "This pill has been pretty good for me. It is a lower hormone dose than the many other pills I tried before, which gave me bad side effects. I had mild nausea and headaches with this pill for the first 3 months, but that's it. I have gained about 25 pounds in the 2 years I've used it, but I don't mind it as much as some other people. My sex drive has gone down a tiny bit, but nothing noticeable. I have sex frequently, using this as my only protection method, and I haven't had a pregnancy scare (granted, I am very good at taking it on time). This pill isn't perfect, but it's definitely the best one I've tried!"

• Anonymous
• June 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on Orsythia for a little over a year now, and my experience has not been good. Although I will say this birth control pill regulated my periods with little to no menstrual pain as well as prevented pregnancy. However, the side effects were awful! I had very severe mood swings and anxiety attacks. Anxiety is nothing new to me, but this medication made it so much worse. I am ALWAYS tired, no matter how much I sleep. The worst part for me was the headaches, I would get them daily, and the pain was unbearable. Some headaches would last days and interfere with my sleep. I thought there was a more serious issue due to the intensity, but everything checked out fine, it was the medication. I would not recommend this medication."

• bri...
• January 11, 2017

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Lutera, and when I went to the pharmacy, they gave me Orsythia instead because it was more affordable for me, yet an equivalent of Lutera. As of recently, I have been experiencing a lot more headaches and migraines, which my doctor warned me about (since I have family and personal history of severe migraines). I haven't gained any weight, my periods are very light and about 4 days long. They start on the third inactive pill. In addition, my breasts have increased in size but not been tender. I like Orsythia. I was very paranoid about taking birth control, but Orsythia was a lot better for me than I expected, however, if my migraines continue, I will need to switch :("

• Ano...
• August 3, 2015

For Birth Control "My experience was horrible. I had to stop because all the side effects became too much for me, and it was affecting my everyday work. As soon as I started taking this, I began getting headaches, nausea, dizziness, and my skin completely broke out. I have had good skin my whole life, and my face completely broke out. Also, my hair started falling out uncontrollably. I was afraid to even run my hand through my hair. I stopped taking this when these side effects became unbearable, and my lips even broke out. I began getting a lip rash and getting bumps all over my lips. The doctor said it was one of the side effects, in addition to my face breaking out. I was also crying all the time and overly emotional. The side effects were too much to handle."

• ekf...
• August 13, 2018

For Birth Control "Just finished my first month on this pill and have no serious complaints so far! I have had horror stories of past birth controls (having continuous bleeding for a month straight, debilitating cramps, 7 pounds of water weight/bloating within a month's time), but so far, so good with Orsythia! I have always been a highly anxious person, and while I do notice occasional mood swings (presumably because my body is still adjusting), I feel as though I have been much happier and less stressed. I have been eating very healthily and exercising (thankful for no insane cravings), but I haven't noticed any weight loss yet. I attribute this to a few pounds of water weight, but I expect that it will dissipate as my body fully adjusts to the pill. Overall, I feel as though this pill has had little to no impact on my day-to-day life! Minimal cramps, no headaches, no spotting, same sex drive. Seems like a dream so far! Keep in mind everyone's bodies are different."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2012

For Birth Control "I have the same problems as many of the other reviewers. My medication was changed from Avaine to Lutera to Orsythia. I had no problems with Avaine or Lutera, but I've been on Orsythia for about a week, and I'm experiencing horrible side effects. I've had headaches, moodiness, and cramps. It feels exactly like I'm PMSing, and according to other reviewers, I just might be. I'm glad I came here so I can be prepared for a possible mid-cycle period."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2015

"I've been on this birth control for about 2 weeks now (I know it's early), but I've had a horrible experience so far! I've had constant headaches, constant vaginal discharge (a lot at that), deep severe stomach pains, and my sex drive is not there. I have been very depressed, and I cry all the time over nothing. Some nights, with the pain of nausea and headaches, I've wanted to go get checked out. I'm acne prone, so I break out anyway, but I have noticed recently more acne starting to pop up. When this pack is done, I'm definitely going to ask to switch because constant pain is not worth it."