Tri-Lo-Sprintec and Acne: What Users Say

• Mim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2018

For Birth Control "GOD, THIS BIRTH CONTROL IS AWESOME. As my first birth control pill ever, I can say this pill has been super good to me. Much lighter periods and no cramping. No pregnancy scares. No more acne except for the occasional pimple. My sex drive hasn’t changed. No nausea or headaches. I’ve been on it since the beginning of January, and I’m more than happy with my experience so far. :))) Don’t listen to all the bad reviews!! It may work phenomenally for you."

• Sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 21, 2021

For Birth Control "Do not let these reviews scare you! Birth control is not a one-size-fits-all and literally just depends on your body. This is the first pill that hasn’t caused negative side effects like depression, mood swings, or any other mental health problems that I’ve experienced with other pills. The only side effect I experienced was acne for the first 3 months, but that could have been due to stress or other factors. My skin eventually cleared, and I have had no other problems with this pill!"

• kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I was hesitant to try Tri-Lo Sprintec after hearing its bad reviews. I had switched from pill to pill, trying to find the best one. I was using the pill to treat bad cramps and horrible acne. First, I was on Falmina (a generic of Aviane), which made me break out even more. Then I switched to Nikki, a generic of Yaz. It helped with skin but made me severely depressed, so I switched to Tri-Lo Sprintec... and never looked back. I’ve had fantastic skin ever since (even better than on Yaz!), haven’t gained any weight, and haven’t had any bad PMS or hormonal mood changes. I haven’t exhibited signs of depression as a result of the pill. I had minor headaches in the beginning, but they did not last long and don’t happen anymore. I absolutely love this pill. It’s improved my sex drive, mood, and skin substantially, and I am so thankful—I feel better on this pill than any other! LOVE THIS! Don’t listen to every single review—give it a try, it might be right for your body."

• kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I was hesitant to try Tri-Lo Sprintec after hearing its bad reviews. I had switched from pill to pill, trying to find the best one. I was using the pill to treat bad cramps and horrible acne. First, I was on Falmina (a generic of Aviane), which made me break out even more. Then I switched to Nikki, a generic of Yaz. It helped with skin but made me severely depressed, so I switched to Tri-Lo Sprintec... and never looked back. I’ve had fantastic skin ever since (even better than on Yaz!), haven’t gained any weight, and haven’t had any bad PMS or hormonal mood changes. I haven’t exhibited signs of depression as a result of the pill. I had minor headaches in the beginning, but they did not last long and don’t happen anymore. I absolutely love this pill. It’s improved my sex drive, mood, and skin substantially, and I am so thankful—I feel better on this pill than any other! LOVE THIS! Don’t listen to every single review—give it a try, it might be right for your body."

• Lau...
• January 30, 2016

For Birth Control "After reading all of the negative comments for this pill, I was hesitant to start it. I have had an awesome experience, though. I have taken Gianvi, Ocella, and Ortho Lo before, and they all made me either extremely moody or constantly hungry, but this pill has actually made me less hungry, has helped with the small amount of acne I have, and it has done its job well as far as preventing pregnancy goes. I am satisfied with this pill."

• pum...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 30, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill, Tri-Lo-Sprintec, for about half a year now. My first 2-3 months on the pill gave me some headaches and nausea, but soon went away by the 3rd month. It makes my period last about 3-4 days, and my cramps are not as severe. It seems great to stop pregnancy, since it hasn’t gotten me pregnant, and I have sex very often. I do have 2 negatives, though. The first 2-3 months gave me bad breakouts, but since then it has been clearing up, and I only deal with pimples here and there. The main negative is how it controlled my hunger level. I’ll be extremely hungry but then barely eat when I get the chance. Some days this doesn’t happen, but I’ve been noticing I don’t eat as much as I used to. I do get very hungry, though, as I get closer to my period. If you’d like to know health-wise to help you, I am about 5'6" and weigh 140 pounds. I suffer from depression and anxiety. My mental illness does not seem to worsen on this, and I’ve been about the same weight. The only difference I have seen is slight breast growth."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2019

For Birth Control "Been on Tri-Lo-Sprintec for 4 months now since they stopped making TriNessa Lo. I HATE this birth control with a passion. I'm 31 and had acne like I was a teenager all along my jawline. The 2 weeks in the middle of my cycle, I'd be bloated so bad that I looked 6 months pregnant, and I have visible abs, mind you. The worst is immediately when I started taking this medication, I got the worst yeast infection I can remember and have gotten two others in those 4 months. I haven't had a yeast infection since 2008; I spent 4 months in Southeast Asia with perpetual swamp ass; still no vaginal health issues. Soon as I start taking this garbage? BAM! 3! My doctor and pharmacist insisted it was the same as my old birth control, but I can tell you that it's not. Steer clear of this garbage."

• AJ6...
• October 30, 2019

For Birth Control "Tri-Lo-Sprintec was the worst birth control! I'd been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for years, then switched to Trinessa Lo. Both of those worked great for me. No adverse side effects. Suddenly, this year I can't get either, so they provide me Tri-Lo-Sprintec, the generic that's supposed to be the same. No way! I have gained weight and am always bloated. Heck, for one of the months I thought I was pregnant because my stomach was huge! Moodiness, crying, furious, sadness - you name it! Worst of all, horrible acne! The other two pills actually helped my skin, this one made my skin much worse than not being on birth control at all! I gave it time to see if my body would adjust, it only got worse. So if you feel as though the symptoms are horrible and you want to stop - stop! I regret giving this time because it has ruined my skin. The only reason I'm leaving two stars is because it does prevent pregnancy - but if I feel so hideous, I don't want my husband touching me anyway!"

• MRK...
• September 19, 2017

For Birth Control "THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS ORTHO TRI CYCLEN LO!! I do not care what pharmacists or doctors say. I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 15 years and loved it and had NO side effects. The 'generic' was given to me because my insurance stopped covering birth control, and obviously, the generic is cheaper. Within 2 weeks, my moods were INSANE - I can't stop crying, and I am just an emotional mess. My boobs are huge and hurt so bad, and I have horribly painful cystic acne all over my face, chin, and neck. It also made my sex drive literally nonexistent. This is the worst thing that I have put in my body. I do not recommend that anyone take this. What's more upsetting is that it is acceptable to tell people that it is comparable to the real medication."

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2019

For Ovarian Cysts "Not the same. I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 15 years (age 16-31). Initially went on it after a round of Accutane in high school to help keep my hormonal cystic acne at bay. It worked great and kept the babies away all throughout college and in my later 20s. I went off it a couple of years before my husband and I were planning to conceive to clean out my system. After I had my baby at 34, I was put on the mini pill. Overall, I didn’t mind Heather, but I did get nausea on it, and my periods weren’t predictable. I asked to switch back to my tried and true-Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, only to find out they don’t make it anymore! Insert huge sad face with streaming tears. Still hopeful, I tried the generic version-this one, Tri-Lo-Sprintec. It is definitely no way like it at all. My chin has completely broken out, and my ovaries are swollen to the point of barely walkable cramps-2 weeks in. This never happened with Ortho. So upset they don’t make Ortho anymore, I will probably stop using the pill altogether."

• SUZ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2019

For Birth Control "Tri-Lo-Sprintec is an effective birth control, but awful side effects. Just like many reviewers, I have been on Ortho Tricyclen Lo and subsequently Trinessa Lo for years... and loved it. Both are manufactured by Janssen, and both have been discontinued. So I was defaulted to Tri-Lo-Sprintec. I hate this drug. It should not be considered an equivalent to the Janssen brands. I have been dealing with acne, weight gain, and zero libido. I gave it 3 months and do not see improvement. I'm hoping there is a better alternative to the Janssen brand after speaking with my doctor. Good luck, gals!"

• TEL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2016

For Birth Control "Tried to make a longer post but had to cut it short. I have been on birth control since around age 21, originally for acne. I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Yaz, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. My doctor advised me to go back on BC for at least 3 months after returning from a Zika zone. I was sent Tri-Lo-Sprintec from my mail order pharm. NEVER AGAIN! In no particular order, I have extreme irritability, extremely sore boobs, INSOMNIA, experienced my first panic attack, ZERO SEX DRIVE, vaginal dryness, and the worst acne I have had since age 13. This med is NOT the same as Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, so make sure you insist to your doctor that you do not want it. In all my years of taking BC with little side effects, this has been the worst 3 months ever."

• Ast...
• March 25, 2019

For Birth Control "After reading these reviews, I realized I have gone through the same thing as so many other people on here. I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for years and absolutely loved it. My insurance stopped covering it, and I got switched to Trinessa Lo. Trinessa Lo was great, and I didn't even notice a difference. But now, both Ortho and Trinessa are discontinued, and I was forced into switching to Tri-Lo-Sprintec. I was really hopeful it would turn out okay like it did with Trinessa. NOPE! Tri-Lo-Sprintec was awful! I only took it for a week before I had to absolutely stop taking it. 1.) I broke out in acne very badly. 2.) I got bad headaches and slight nausea. 3.) I had pretty annoying mood swings, but the worst side effect for me was the absolutely crippling depression and feeling of sadness and absolute dread. I was paralyzed with depression and sadness on this pill and cried every single day. I couldn't even give the pill a chance for a full cycle because it was just too awful."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 4, 2019

For Birth Control "Have been taking this for about 8 months now. Today is the day I stop, the side effects are horrible. The first few months, I was getting a very heavy period in the middle of my pack, lasting two weeks. I decided to keep taking it to give it a fair shot and have noticed how depressed this birth control has made me. I cry extremely frequently and feel crazy, which is not normal for me, and I do not have any major changes in my life. This has also given me daily migraines, to the point I’d be throwing up at work from nausea and unable to sleep at night. It has somewhat cleared up my acne, but the side effects are not worth it. I’m done with Tri-Lo-Sprintec."

• Mrs...
• September 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 10 years and loved it and had no side effects. I had to switch to Tri-Lo-Sprintec 2 years ago after my insurance wouldn't cover Ortho anymore. Since switching, I have gotten horrible acne, and I never had acne before, even as a teenager. I've also become very moody and have no sex drive. I've also gained between 5-10 pounds that I just can't get rid of. After reading other reviews on this pill, I was finally able to put the pieces together and realized the pill seems to be the culprit for my issues. Once I finish this pack, I'm getting off of it. Stay away from this birth control!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m 21, and I’ve been on this birth control for about 2 months. I’m trying to stick it out to see if I’m one of the lucky ones like some other reviews I’ve read and my body will just get used to it. Since I’ve started taking this, I quit my job, sleep most of the day, never want to get out of the house. Showering and brushing my teeth is even a chore now. I’ve never felt like this before. I was taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen at first, and it cleared my skin and never gave me any side effects. I was on that for 3 years, and I swore by it! The pharmacist and doctor both said this was the same thing, just a generic brand. I can assure you it’s not. I’ve noticed a little change in my sex drive. I have no appetite and can barely stomach anything. I’ve lost weight. Depressed state of mind all the time. But none of this even compares to how bad my acne is! My jawline and all around the sides of my cheeks and face. I never even broke out in these places, and now it’s awful!"

• Ver...
• May 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I wish I could give this medication a ZERO. I had been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 8 years with no side effects. My insurance switched me to Sprintec, and I only took it for a week when my entire face broke out, which never happens to me. I had horrible headaches and developed an ulcer, which I'm not sure is related."

• NOO...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on the Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo all of my high school years. Never had acne, 3-day periods, no cramps, no bloating, and actually believed it was impossible to gain weight on it. Coming to college, the price of $110 was too much, so I went to the generic. 2 months in, I've gained 20 pounds, horrible cramps, and have horrible acne. Switching birth controls after this pack."

• ano...
• April 13, 2021

"Best thing ever. First off, I read the reviews, terrified. I got on this anyway. Perfect. After the first night, I actually almost stopped taking it. I had a major panic attack. Stayed up the entire night, thought something was going to get me. Like completely irrational. I thought I was going to die. I continued to take it, and it was perfect after that. I’ve been on it a year and couldn’t ask for anything else. My period is completely predictable. No acne whatsoever."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Tri-Lo-Sprintec to use for birth control as well as to help my acne. On day 3 of this pill, my legs began getting very itchy. In the days following, I had sparks of pressure in both of my legs up until day 9, where the pain had become one-sided and started making my right leg throb nonstop. Birth control has ties to blood clots, so I was super worried. I stopped taking the pill right away after that, and my leg pain went away within 2 days. It also gave me really bad acne even though I had only been on it for less than a week and a half. I do not recommend this pill at all."

• yde...
• September 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I wish I could give this a negative score. I was using Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo before this was available as a generic, and my insurance company made me switch. The pharmacist ensured me the only difference was in ONE inactive ingredient, but I beg to differ - my skin is so broken out I feel like a teenager again. I have constant headaches and a migraine so bad, I went to the ER. My period is wonky, I hate it. I have an appointment at the doctor in 2 weeks, I'm going to beg for an IUD. This is the worst pill I've ever used."

• So...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2016

For Birth Control "Two months ago, my insurance informed me they no longer cover Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (that had no side effects) and would basically have to switch to the generic form, Tri-Lo-Sprintec. Being assured that it was the same thing and that keeping Ortho would cost about $150, I went ahead and took the generic. I could only make it through one and a half packs before I couldn't take the side effects anymore. I was gaining a lot of weight for no reason, constantly bloated, breaking out, fatigued, suddenly depressed for no reason, spotting, and even my period just starting for no reason! I finally finished my second pack today, but my period started a week ago. I told the pharmacy to switch me back, worst BC, not the same as Ortho Lo."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched to Tri-Lo-Sprintec because the previous BC I was prescribed ruined my mental health. So, my doctor recommended this BC because it has lower estrogen. Sort of loved it the first week because it helped with my mood and appetite. In the middle of the week, I started breaking out (I never break out badly), and it was terrible. Six to eight days in, and I’m breaking out in rashes on my face, specifically beneath my lower lash line and on the eyelids. I stopped taking the medication on day nine because it was just too much."

• Kdu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2020

For Birth Control "Holy moly. This is the absolute worst birth control I have ever been on. I got on it to clear my acne, and it didn't even help with that. It made me bloated all the time, have extremely heavy periods, not to mention it made my anxiety 17,461,565 times worse. I felt like I was going crazy. I had horrible mood swings, especially around my period, my boyfriend thought I was a psycho bitch... which I was. It also lowered my libido extremely, and after 8 months, I decided I needed to change it. Idk why I waited so long. I've noticed what seems like an immediate change! I'm feeling less anxiety again, feeling a surge in my sex drive, and my anxiety has completely gone away. If you are experiencing these symptoms, do NOT wait to change! You will feel so much better, and no one needs to feel like that! (Only thing it did was keep me not pregnant, so obviously have to give it props for that, but honestly, don't get this birth control.)"

• izz...
• June 17, 2021

For Birth Control "Tri-Lo-Sprintec has overall not been a bad experience for me. At first, I experienced a spike in acne and some pretty bad cramps on my period. After about 2 months, my acne got much better, and I pretty much only get like a pimple a month. My cramps aren’t great but aren’t terrible, but I take Advil the night before my period, and it’s just fine. My period starts like clockwork! It goes from every Wednesday of the placebos to that Saturday/sometimes Sunday. I've been on this pill for about 10 months, and it’s done great protecting me from pregnancy (knock on wood). This birth control is my only form of protection, and so I pretty much take it at the same exact time every day. I haven’t seen a huge change in mood, I was pretty emotional the first 2 months, but after that, I was good. I did have weight gain, but I was also in recovery from an ED, so I am not complaining. I gained about 3 cup sizes as well. I don’t have many complaints about Tri-Lo-Sprintec, and I really enjoy it!"