Larin Fe 1/20 and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Roa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2019

For Birth Control "*PLEASE READ* I never put reviews for medication I have been on, but I wanted to WARN all the girls who have to be put on this generic pill for some reason. I used to take Lo Loestrin, and it was amazing, however, my insurance stopped covering it, so I was given Larin Fe. WORST MISTAKE OF MY DAMN LIFE... At first, I didn't have any symptoms, but within a month, I've hit the darkest of spots in my life: insomnia, shakiness, HORRIBLE anxiety, breakouts (not severe), acid reflux, lack of appetite. Sadly, there was not a single day in that month where I felt normal, I was going crazy with mood swings, depression. I barely could leave my bed, I even had several panic attacks. I wish I could say a positive side to this drug, but THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING POSITIVE ABOUT THIS DRUG. Believe these negative reviews, please, and if you don't feel any side effects right now, the second you feel it, please switch to a different birth control. It won't get any better waiting."

• Pep...
• September 5, 2019

For Birth Control "My experience with this pill was horrible. The first month was fine besides some nausea and minor weight gain (mostly in breasts). By the second pack, I was an emotional wreck. All my underlying depression and PTSD came back tenfold. I cry all the time, and I never used to cry. My anxiety is horrible-and it had been under control before I started this pill. I started taking it because I have PCOS and hadn’t had a period in 10 months. I will say it did regulate my cycle, and I haven’t had any skin issues, cramps, or migraines... but wow, nothing would make this pill worth it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2019

For Birth Control "Everybody is different, and I’m not saying this is a bad pill, it just didn’t work for me. I’m hoping this review can ease some other girls’ minds who are experiencing the same thing as me. I was put on this pill because my insurance no longer covered my usual brand, Junel Fe, and was told Larin was “the same thing, just different packaging.” 3-4 days into the pack, I started getting nauseous and anxious every day. I would gag at the smell of certain things, and my breasts hurt. I was convinced I was pregnant, which made my anxiety skyrocket. Turns out Larin Fe did its job preventing pregnancy, but the side effects were terrible. I threw up for the first time since being on this pill today and will be stopping immediately."

• Jor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Junel Fe 1/20 for 9 years and loved it, never had a single issue on it even when I first started. Then my pharmacy gave me Larin and lied, saying it just switched names. I stupidly trusted them and took it. I’ve been on it for 2 weeks now, and for the past two weeks, I’ve had no appetite, and when I force myself to eat, I feel like I’m going to throw up the entire time and can maybe get a couple bites down. My depression and anxiety have gotten 10x worse, and I go from okay to extremely angry within seconds. This birth control switch has been the only thing to change in my life, and after reading other women’s reviews with the same exact story, I know it’s 100% the Larin. I know everyone reacts differently to meds, but be cautious and aware of your symptoms while taking this pill. I’ve never been this miserable and depressed in my life."

• Noe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been taking Larin Fe 1/20 for about 2 weeks now, and I’ve got to say that it is the worst I’ve ever felt on any birth control. Horrible nausea shortly after taking it, and increased anxiety and constant panicky, and on verge of tears feeling. I am a person that never dreams or remembers any dreams, at least, and ever since starting this pill, I have had nightmares almost every night and wake up in a panic in the middle of the night and resume nightmares when going back to sleep till morning. Insane mood swings and frequent hot flashes. Zero sex drive, so in that case, it is effective as birth control because it makes you not want to do anything at all. Not worth it. Only going to go to the end of this pack to not throw off my cycle completely, and I am never taking it again. Should be taken off the market after seeing all of the other negative reviews about it too. Scary stuff."

• Bel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 1, 2021

For Birth Control "My ob-gyn prescribed this to me to treat menopause symptoms. Well, peri-menopause. I was still ovulating and having some periods sporadically. She also prescribed a low-dose testosterone gel to go along with it. The combination was life-changing! I felt like my old self again! My symptoms were major fatigue, anxiety, joint pain, loss of sex drive, loss of all motivation, and weight gain. After taking the combo of Larin Fe and testosterone, I felt so much better. I’m like a different person now. This review is supposed to be about Larin Fe, and I can say it is responsible for helping me feel myself again. I was on it for several weeks before the testosterone and no longer had hot flashes or mood swings. The testosterone gel added to it was a perfect combo. Finally, an ob-gyn who knew what they were doing! All the others kept giving me estrogen and progestin pills, but my hormones were still fluctuating. The Larin Fe took over and kept my levels at a steady rate."

• Tor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I haven't even been on this for a month, and I'm already looking into something different. My head is always hurting, I'm nauseous, tired, and my anxiety has been off the charts. And I've been insanely emotional. The only good thing is that I'm not pregnant, but the symptoms are similar to pregnancy, so it still makes me think I'm pregnant."

• Ann...
• February 8, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on birth control on and off for the last 17 years. This is by far the worst one yet. The only positive thing I can say about it is I didn’t get pregnant. However, I felt like I was. I have been on Junel FE for years with no trouble. My pharmacy was out of it and assured me Larin FE was the same exact thing. I beg to differ. By day 5, I was so nauseous and felt horrible. I was ready to fall into bed by 7:30, utterly exhausted, which was not normal for me. The nausea was horrendous. I actually lost 5 lbs in 12 days because I couldn’t really eat. My anxiety went through the roof, which hasn’t happened in a very long time. To the point, I had a horrible panic attack in the middle of the night, which hadn’t been normal for me in a while. Don’t even get me started on the headache. Whew. I stopped taking it because my doctor called my script in somewhere else, and within 36 hours, I was back to my normal self. I would avoid Larin at all costs."

• Eck...
• February 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Larin 1.5/30 for maybe two and a half months. At first, I didn’t notice any real side effects, but eventually, they all started to creep in. It started with my breasts becoming swollen and tender to the touch, and they’ve been uncomfortably tender for about two straight months now. My appetite has decreased dramatically, and some days I barely eat at all. I feel like I’ve definitely lost some weight due to that, and I’m terrified of it getting worse because I’m trying to actually gain some weight right now. I randomly get headaches and some small cramps, but nothing too bad. I would say the worst part about all of this is the anxiety and mood swings I’ve had. I already have anxiety, but since taking this birth control, it’s gotten much worse. I will say, though, it is HIGHLY effective at preventing pregnancy."

• Anonymous
• October 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I hate this pill. I've been on different pills before, and I have never felt like this. I'm throwing up all the time. My appetite has increased heavily. My acne has never, ever been this bad. I'm tired all the time, and I just feel like shit since taking it. I've been on it for three months now, and every new pack is just a horror story. I get a very, very light period, which really pisses me off. I get it for one day. I hate that I'm the type of person who freaks out if that happens. It makes me so uncomfortable and nervous to basically not get a period. My OB won't change the pill, and I'm so fed up with it. I have no motivation at all. I never felt this way before taking this pill. I hate it."

• aan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I started this pill in May of 2018, and I’m currently still on it. The good: I had no weight gain, I never experienced any pain, my period went from 7 days to 4 days, and I had unprotected sex and haven’t gotten pregnant *knock on wood*. The bad: I feel like I’ve become extremely depressed, anxious, and impulsive since the end of June to now. So much changed within me that I feel it really affected me and the people around me. I have mild mood swings now, any teenage girl has these, but it feels a little more extreme. I’m considering getting off of it just because I don’t feel like myself, and I’ve become impulsive, and I want to say a little bit bipolar. I never had these mental issues before I started taking it. I recommend this product, everyone has different side effects, but be cautious if you feel like your mental health has become worse, then maybe get off of it."

• KJa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I have not had good luck with any birth control pills, but I think it's safe to say Larin has been the worst. I have taken this pill multiple times throughout the last few years. Recently, I have had major depression and anxiety that seems to be a side effect of this pill. The hormonal imbalance makes me feel like I could be pregnant even though I'm not. PMS exists for three weeks out of the month for me while I have been on this birth control. My periods have been lighter on this pill, though."

• rsc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2022

For Birth Control "No. Just no! I didn't have many side effects for the first two months besides slight breakthrough bleeding, which is nothing I can't handle. On month three, I had the WORST anxiety of my life. I've always had anxiety, but this was completely different. I had no control over my emotions, was crying constantly, was having anxiety attacks and chest pains. I finally called it quits and instantly felt better by the next day. Everyone's experience is obviously going to be different, but this was horrible for me."

• rsc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2022

For Birth Control "No. Just no! I didn't have many side effects for the first two months besides slight breakthrough bleeding, which is nothing I can't handle. On month three, I had the WORST anxiety of my life. I've always had anxiety, but this was completely different. I had no control over my emotions, was crying constantly, was having anxiety attacks and chest pains. I finally called it quits and instantly felt better by the next day. Everyone's experience is obviously going to be different, but this was horrible for me."

• JDa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this pill for almost 5 months. The first three months, I had spotting between periods. I think it may just take a few months to regulate. It does indicate that these are common side effects for the first few months. Now my periods seem more regular, just very light, which I don’t mind. I haven’t experienced any weight gain. In fact, I’ve lost just a little weight. My skin looks better than usual. I don’t experience cramps nearly as badly as before. I don’t experience any nausea or headaches. I don’t notice any feeling of depression or fatigue. I do feel a little more anxious than usual. Not sure if it’s the result of the pill, or just life stressors. All in all, though, this pill works fine for me."

• Mol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2019

For Birth Control "This was my first ever birth control. I started at age 18. It was the best birth control ever; no acne, no weight gain, no decreased sex drive, average periods, always on the same exact day/time and ending at the same time. Only negatives were I felt anxious/sad sometimes. I am now 20 and switched to a different birth control, which completely messed me up in all of those aspects. I am literally jumping with joy to be switching back to Larin."

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2014

For Birth Control "This pill was complete hell for me. It has made my anxiety about getting pregnant even worse. I get migraines, and I am never hungry. I've lost 12 pounds, and now in my fourth month of taking the pill, I can say I am really excited to start a new pill next month. Beginning this month, my breasts became really tender, making my anxiety even worse! My cramps still exist, and it does a good job at regulating my period, but my period starts and stops throughout the week of the placebo pills."

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2021

For Birth Control "On this or PCOS. I thought I was going crazy till I read y’all’s comments here. This BC sucks. So I already have anxiety/depression, but I’ve been a basket case lately. I was nauseous for 2 weeks and could barely eat. I’ve been gaining weight when I’m really not even eating, and my boobs are painful and swollen/growing. I’m one pill away from the end of my first pack, and based on all these comments and my terrible side effects, I’m done. I never had this with my previous BC. Wish I could give a negative rating."

• jan...
• November 5, 2020

For Birth Control "After seeing how many people on Larin Fe 1/20 shared the same side effects symptoms that I had, I wouldn’t recommend this pill to anyone. The first few weeks, I felt more anxious and depressed than normal, but I didn’t make the connection. I was also having bad dreams almost every night. It was only when I started to feel nauseous daily and constantly on the verge of tears, spending hours crying over an inexplicable feeling of sadness and doom, that I realized this pill was causing it (I rarely cry normally). It magnifies every tiny upset, anxiety, or annoyance; I can feel myself acting irrationally and unfairly towards people, but I can’t stop. I had some other stressors the past week, and the pill blew them up to 10x their intensity, and I had a horrible panic attack. I’m normally an even-keeled person; this pill has turned me into someone else. I’ve stopped taking it and can’t wait until the effects wear off. Don’t take this pill. Try Tri-Sprintec instead."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 1, 2020

For Birth Control "Took this Larin Fe 1/20 birth control for a year. I always struggled with anxiety and depression, so at first I didn’t realize the side effects. As months passed, I started experiencing extreme rage and crying spats. I hated myself and fell into a deep depression hole and didn’t go out for months. I spoke up to my best friends about it, and one of them was on the same brand and said she experienced the same exact issues, she just thought she was going through a phase. We are both off it now and immediately went back to our normal selves. Highly recommend trying a different brand. We are both on the Xulane patch now, and at first it's a little rough, but now that my body has adjusted to it, I can live normally. If you naturally have mental health problems, I encourage you to try a different form of birth control, Larin Fe probably isn't for you either."

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I started this pill when I was 13 (17 now), and trust me it was a rollercoaster, but I was also super young with raging hormones when I started it, which could have been a lot of why this pill was difficult for me. I started this to help my acne, which it did help clear up significantly. I developed depression and anxiety that I was medicated for, but it was tolerable. I noticed I was a lot more moodier and snappy when just starting the pill. I also gained weight, which wasn’t really a problem for me because I had an eating disorder at the time of starting it. This pill regulated my periods a lot and only brought them down to 4-5 days, and I had absolutely no cramps or breast tenderness. I just recently switched over to a new birth control because this one stopped working for me. I’ve had a huge increase of acne that I have never seen before, not even when I hit puberty. I also bleed in between my periods, which I have never had a problem with. I also have mild cramps."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2018

For Birth Control "Absolutely horrible. This pill gave me extreme mental issues. I started my first pack of pills in November 2017, I’m now at the end of my second pack in February 2018. My first month of pills was fine. From November to February, I was recently put on Prozac because I had depression. I have mild anxiety, but this pill made it beyond worse. I have had days where I panic about absolutely nothing. Please listen to the reviews."

• Anonymous
• August 21, 2017

For Birth Control "So I began the pill 3 months ago, and all was well for like 3 weeks. Then, once it came time for my period, it lasted 17 days, no joke. It was horrible, no pain really, but just way too long and annoying. Now, on the 3-month mark, I have been having symptoms of IBS and acid reflux, so nauseous all the time and very bloated and crampy. Not to mention my anxiety of pregnancy has skyrocketed due to these side effects and the fact my period is so light and only lasts 4 to 6 days, with no symptoms. It is nice, but how am I supposed to know I'm for sure not pregnant? It is horrible, can't wait to go to my appointment. I also have gained around 5 pounds that I can't drop in only 3 months. It is horrible for me, at least."

• ski...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2018

For Birth Control "Please read the reviews and listen to them! This pill is terrible. I've been on birth control for years now and was recently switched to this one because Medicaid didn't cover my Junel. I've been taking this for 2 months now, and I've missed my period completely for both months - I always used to get a light period before this one. I've also experienced more depression/anxiety, including crying a lot for seemingly no reason, nausea, and stomach cramping! The first month, I broke out in acne too. Please avoid this one if you can, I cannot wait to get back on Junel."

• Nex...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 30, 2020

For Birth Control "I switched to this a couple of years ago when I would end up in an insurance plan that did not cover the Minastrin generic I’d taken for some time. Breakthrough bleeding was an issue on and off for about a year. Tanked my libido from the beginning. Have battled to control weight with diet and exercise for the first time ever. The weight and libido issues have caused anxiety in themselves. I probably put up with this one much longer than I should have. I’m back in an insurance plan that covers the Minastrin generic, so I’m headed back to it. My doctor told me these drugs are the same, and they are very, very most certainly not. Be your own advocate!"