Tri-Sprintec and Acne: What Users Say

• Vit...
• March 10, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho-Tri-Cyclen previously without issue, but it's been discontinued. Tri-Sprintec is the closest equivalent generic. Let me tell you... it's positively changed my life. I no longer deal with monthly hormonal imbalance/fluctuations (i.e. mood swings), extremely painful periods, or reoccurring ovarian cysts. I didn't break out in acne; my skin has been super clear throughout -- not even a transition period where I broke out. My hair has gotten thicker, my boobs have grown at least a cup size, and I've got a nice curvy booty again (all of these changes are very welcomed). I've loved the additional 5 lb weight gain. It's also decreased chronic joint pain I had/have due to other health conditions. Additionally, Tri-Sprintec has improved my mood and sense of well-being, while lowering anxiety. I feel like myself again for the first time in years -- no antidepressant or anxiety med has done what this birth control has for me. Best. birth. control. ever."

• bee...
• February 24, 2014

For Acne "I would just like to say if you're looking for a solution for your acne, PLEASE try this. I have been struggling with acne for a few years, I have tried everything from over the counter to prescribed medicine, and NOTHING worked. Finally, I decided to get on the pill because I had very deep, painful cystic acne along my jawline and chin that wouldn't go away. I have been on Sprintec for 2 months now, and my skin is 100% clear. The only time I get a pimple is around my period, but it is so much more manageable. Trust me, this pill is my magic pill."

• Kri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2014

For Acne "I have just completed one pack of the Tri-Sprintec. I was prescribed Ortho but was given Tri-Sprintec due to insurance. I am 30 years old and have not had any major acne in years. The last major outbreak I had was when I was 24. I would still get the occasional 1-2 acne spots, but it would only occur every several months. This month has been horrible on Tri-Sprintec. I've had at least 20+ acne spots on my face. I've tried to use multiple products to clear it up to no avail. It is all hormonal cystic acne that is mainly concentrated around my mouth area/chin, and they all leave scarring. I'm honestly not sure if I can last 3 months on it to see if it will get better for me. I do not normally break out, so this terrifies me!"

• Ayl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 19, and after a very poor experience with the birth control Beyaz, I was switched to Tri-Sprintec. After several months, my cramps have decreased in pain and my acne that I have struggled with for over 5 years is almost completely gone! I am amazed! Haha. PLEASE, don't read reviews on the internet for a specific birth control and assume that will be your experience. Your hormones and needs are very unique, and it may take a few switches to fully figure out which brand is meant for you. I spent countless hours stressing over reviews/etc when I really just needed to try and see what happened. Birth control is complicated and will not affect any two women the same way. Listen to your doctor and trust what they say!"

• 041...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2018

For Acne "I started this pill that was recommended by my gyn as most effective for acne. The first 2 packs were a complete opposite for me. I broke out on parts of my face that I never really experienced acne on before. However, they weren’t cystic or big and red like I usually would get on the chin area. At the third pack, it got significantly better. I no longer had new breakouts. And now at my fourth pack, my scarring has faded for the most part, and around the placebo week, I get one small breakout but nothing crazy. If you’re just starting this pill and aren’t sure if you should stick it out, I’d say give it 3 months as recommended by the experts."

• JCF...
• November 5, 2013

For Acne "I am almost through with my second month of pills, and I have to say that my acne has gotten worse. I normally have fairly clear skin with occasional small breakouts, but since the birth control, my acne has gotten much more common and more large and painful as well. I'm hoping that my body is still getting used to the hormones and will soon get back to normal. Also, my appetite has become a constant issue. My weight has stayed the same so far, but I am eating much more than I used to. Hoping that this is all just adjustments that will get better with time!"

• cmu...
• January 17, 2015

For Birth Control "Been taking since August of 2014. LOVE IT. Haven't gained any weight, but I also work out regularly and eat healthy. Went up one cup size so far, and they seem to be getting a little better, which I don't hate! My acne has gotten a lot better. But there was about a week when I took it late every day, and I started breaking out bad. Sex is great, body looks good. Just a little more emotional than before too. Great for everyone!"

• No...
• September 4, 2009

For Birth Control "I am 28 years old. I have never felt any side effects from any birth control I have ever taken. My doctor, however, switched me to this one because of the price, I assume. Since I began taking it a month ago, I have been extremely emotional, crying when I'm happy, crying when I am sad. My mood swings are having an effect on my relationship, my kids and husband, as I am less patient and more tired. My face is also breaking out, which normally only happens when I am PMSing the week before my period. I called my doctor today to switch me off of this. I am only stating my experience to reassure others if having the same side effects that it is not you coming down with depression. It is only the pill."

• Mak...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 29, 2021

For Acne "For a few months on Tri-Sprintec, everything was fine, and then my acne got worse, now I have the worst acne of my life. I never even had pustules when I was in high school. Ironically, I clear up during my period, suggesting that the hormones in these did the complete opposite effect of what I had intended."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Tri-Sprintec for 6 months now. The first three months were awful, but now I really love my birth control. At first, I was having awful mood swings, depression, and random crying spells. I stuck with the pill, and then after getting married in December, all my bad symptoms subsided. My acne has gone away, and I’ve never had skin this clear! My periods are very manageable, and I can control my period if I want to. So far, no pregnancy, but I’m super religious about taking my pills on time and try to use backup prevention when on antibiotics. I completely sympathize with all the ladies who have put reviews on here, but thankfully my symptoms have gone away, and I’m going to stick to this pill. Best wishes!"

• Anonymous
• February 12, 2012

For Acne "I used to take the Depo shot but wanted something to clear my skin. These reviews scared me! My first week on the pack, I broke out a little bit more than usual and was very moody. I kept telling myself that it's my body getting used to the hormones. And sure enough, after my first week, my skin is clear (a few blemishes from sleeping with makeup on), my mood is great, just like it's always been, and intimacy with my boyfriend isn't a problem. I'm not experiencing vaginal dryness. I'm starting my second pack, and I'm glad I gave this a try. Ladies, take Vitamin A daily, 10,000 IU, this should help with the skin clearing! Best of luck!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2019

For Acne "I switched from the IUD to Tri-Sprintec 4 months ago in the hopes of clearing my moderate acne and helping my lower mood. Now I wish I would have stayed on the IUD. I have never in my life had such painful, swollen cystic acne until now. It’s all over my jaw and neck, and that has never happened to me before. At first, I thought it was a reaction from switching methods, but I’ve gone through 4 packs and it keeps getting worse. I plan to stop this today after reading other acne horror stories. I’d rather use condoms than refuse to leave the house because I’m so self-conscious about my skin. I hate this pill."

• aga...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 8, 2019

For Birth Control "This drug is a life ruiner. I was on Trinessa for a while and doing fine before I randomly got switched to this for no reason. Since starting this drug, I have become nauseous, lightheaded, depressed, constipated, and extremely fatigued. I can only wear loose, flowy clothing or I will get heat flashes and pass out (I'm only 21). I have headaches regularly. Anxiety tics that I worked hard to get rid of years ago are back. I have painful cystic acne that I never had before, and I've gained weight. Taking this drug almost made me fail a semester of school, and it cost me multiple friendships because I was too fatigued and depressed to leave my room and socialize. My self-confidence is at an all-time low. It is not worth it. This drug is cruel."

• ABa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2019

For Acne "This has been the worst birth control pill I have ever been on! Cystic acne all over my cheeks, and my acne wasn’t terrible before starting this medication. Do NOT use this BC pill, it will make your acne worse."

• sch...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I had a baby girl 6 months ago, and I started this about 2 months ago. At first, I was doing great with it, but then, after about 2 weeks of taking it, I have really noticed some not-so-great changes in me. My chin is constantly breaking out, so it did not help clear up the acne. I have really had some bad mood swings of just feeling really sad, and my anxiety has been pretty bad. It has really messed with my sleeping patterns. I also gained about 16 lbs from the time I started taking this pill until now. I wear contacts, and it really seems to dry my eyes out and make my vision a little blurry, which I haven't really had much trouble with before. I am seeing my doctor soon, and we are planning on switching me to another birth control pill."

• Ath...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2019

For Acne "I decided to try Tri-Sprintec after a friend recommended it to me, she said it cleared her acne up miraculously. I started this pill a month ago, and I have always had moderate-severe acne (it used to be worse but gradually got better, never fully went away). This pill made me have acne as bad as I had freshman year. It was so bad back then, and I have been absolutely miserable the entire time on this pill. Not only have my emotions been on overdrive, but I never want to leave my house. The pimples are large and everywhere on my face, even in places I rarely break out. Please do not try this pill, there are so many others you could take."

• Anonymous
• September 18, 2012

For Acne "I've been using this birth control for 3 months now, and I'm starting my 4th month now. I started taking the pill to hopefully help with my acne, and it seems to be working somewhat well until recently. When I started taking it, the acne I had improved a bit, but a few weeks ago my face basically blew up. I developed tons of it from just below my cheekbones, across my chin, and along my jawline, but my forehead stays clear. I initially thought that it was just a breakout to signal that my period was starting (I normally get a little more just before, even on the pill), but it didn't go away. It's terrible, and it's never been this bad before, even off the pill."

• Sop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2019

For Acne "I was forced to switch over to Tri-Sprintec because they discontinued Tri-Nessa Lo. I have never had worse acne in my entire life. If I had read these reviews previously, I would not have taken it. The pharmacy said it was 'pretty much the same.' It is not, I should have been put on the Tri-LO-Sprintec. There are two different strengths of the Tri-pills, the low and the higher one. They changed me to the higher one. This medication has caused my depression and anxiety to spike in extremes. I have never experienced cystic acne until now. Full coverage makeup cannot hide the embarrassment I've been feeling in public for months. I've taken it for 3 months, and it's been 3 days since I officially stopped."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2020

For Acne "I was prescribed this Tri-Sprintec birth control for my acne. The first month was wonderful, it got rid of all my acne and evened out my skin tone, and for the first time in years, I had clear skin. I thought it would be like this for the next month, but I was wrong. I’m currently on the second round of pills, and my skin broke out horribly with extremely painful cystic acne around my chin, jaw, and nose area. It has been like this the entire month. I am about to finish this pack in a couple of days and hoping my skin calms down with the third round of pills. I spoke to my doctor, and she recommended finishing the third round of pills to see if my acne calms down to see whether or not to prescribe me to another brand."

• SGa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2020

For Acne "Oh my goodness. I am in tears reading these reviews, finally finding out what’s wrong with me. I stopped breastfeeding about 3 months ago, and my skin started to break out from the hormone change, as expected. I called my OB to get back on what I assumed would be my regular BC, Trinessa, but I got this Tri-Sprintec. My face has never been this bad in my entire life. Painful, cystic acne. I’ve gained weight. My mood swings were terrible. I had anxiety through the ROOF. Whatever you do, DO NOT GET ON THIS PILL."

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2012

For Acne "My gyno initially wrote a prescription refill for Ortho Tri-Cyclen (which I had been taking for years), but when I went to have the prescription refilled, the pharmacy did not have Ortho in stock. Therefore, they suggested the Tri-Sprintec. Just days after starting the pack, I experienced the WORST breakouts I have had as an adult, along with nausea, heart palpitations, and migraines. This is simply my experience with this pill - I know every female's body is different."

• Aba...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2021

For Acne "Initially, I was scared of trying Tri-Sprintec just because of the terrible reviews I saw and my previous experiences with BC pills (nausea, depression, diarrhea). But this pill is awesome! Apart from a few days of nausea and some initial breakouts, I had no mood swings, no weight gain. After the second week, my skin cleared up, and my boobs got slightly bigger too! All in all, great birth control. Would 10/10 recommend."

• K_m...
• March 16, 2013

For Acne "I went on Tri-Sprintec for acne and irregular periods, and it has definitely helped me regulate both. Upon being prescribed this particular BC, I was terrified because of all of the negative reviews, so I figured I'd share my positive experience for someone who was in my position. The only noticeable side effect I've had is a bit of chest acne (which I never had before), but as I'm only on my third pack now, I'm hoping it will eventually clear up!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 12, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking Tri-Sprintec because my insurance no longer covered the brand name Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and it was the worst experience ever. I immediately broke out, and my periods got worse. I started to experience mood swings and worse cramps. I stuck with it hoping it would get better, but it never did. I would not recommend Tri-Sprintec or Sprintec to anyone, both of these made my life a living nightmare."

• Zea...
• November 11, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I began taking this for my period, which was really heavy and came with terrible cramps. While I was on it, I experienced terrible cramps. I have genetically good skin, but this medication gave me the worst acne of my life. It was embarrassing, not to mention painful. It also made me incredibly depressed, and I’d find myself canceling plans with some of my favorite people to stay home and cry. I have decided to go off of it, and I am very excited to get back to normal. Based on other reviews I have read, many women have gone through similar experiences to mine."