TriNessa Lo and Acne: What Users Say

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I had to switch to TriNessa Lo after my insurance wouldn't cover my Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo prescription, which I had been on for over 3 years. I was scared that it would make my body all wacked out of the sorts since it was the generic brand. I have been on it for a month now, and nothing has changed (knock on wood). I actually feel like it might be better than the non-generic. I have slight cramps during my period, but not bad. Acne level isn't bad either, haven't gained weight either. I think I am having a good experience because I used to be on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for the longest time. Anyway, 9/10 from me. :)"

• Mag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2017

For Acne "I had very bad cystic acne that was worse during my cycle. I tried oral antibiotics, and they were somewhat effective, but I still had issues around my cycle, and they are not for long-term use. So I started this, and halfway through the second pack/month, my skin was completely smooth and pimple/whitehead free. I could not be happier. When I first started taking this, I had a very bad breakout, but by the time I hit the third week of the first pack, my skin started to improve. My hyperpigmentation that was left behind is getting better since I am not having any new breakouts. I was worried that this generic would not be as effective as the name-brand OTC-Lo, but it is great and free on my insurance!!!"

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I'm a 36-year-old and hadn't been on hormonal BC for 6 years before I started TriNessa Lo for BC. I've had many side effects. I had daily nausea that felt like morning sickness all day, every day. I only had relief during my period. I couldn't tolerate foods that I normally consume. Also, certain scents, like air fresheners, made me feel sick. I had occasional headaches and broke out with a lot of acne. My sex drive was nonexistent. I also felt significantly depressed near the end of my cycle before my period started. I decided to stop taking it after 3 months of use. Now, 2 weeks after stopping, all those side effects are gone. Bad experience for me!"

• Egg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I was given TriNessa Lo instead of Tri-Sprintec by the pharmacy. I was told they are the same pill, but they absolutely are not. I’m not one to post reviews, but TriNessa Lo has been the worst pill I have ever taken. I took it for 3 months to allow my body to adjust, and it just couldn’t take it anymore. I experienced horrible acne, breakthrough bleeding, and horrible anxiety. I felt awful for the 3 months that I took this pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2018

For Birth Control "As many others have said, everyone has different experiences with birth control. That being said, TriNessa Lo was a horrible birth control for my body. I’ve never had bad acne, but I noticed a significant increase in the amount of acne on my cheeks and chin area. Even worse were the mood swings, I would cry at the drop of a pin, and it was very negatively affecting my new marriage. I couldn’t control my emotions and would cry and get angry at my husband for absolutely nothing. Not only that, I was very tired and lethargic all the time. It also made my periods very heavy, and I had headaches at least three times a week. The only reason it gets a 3 rating is that I didn’t get pregnant."

• iks...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m a healthy 23-year-old. I weigh a little under 100 lbs, and I’m 4’11. I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 5 years and loved it. My insurance decided not to pay for it anymore, so I was switched to the generic: TriNessa Lo. I was very skeptical since it’s the generic, but I thought I’d give it a try. I was only on TriNessa Lo for 3 weeks, and I just made an appointment for an IUD consultation. While I was on TriNessa Lo, I had acid reflux, a crazy appetite, the worst cystic painful acne I’ve ever experienced, horrible mood swings, bloating 24/7, and I started having severe panic attacks in my last week of pills. It worked for birth control, but the side effects were not worth it. Do not take this."

• Tri...
• August 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I've taken Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 10 years. About 8 months ago, my insurance switched me over to Trinessa Lo due to it being cheaper. It's supposed to be the exact same thing, so I've given it time to work itself out. I'm switching back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. 15 lbs of water retention that will not go away despite constant exercise, a healthy diet (no sodium or complex carbs), etc. Cystic acne, engorged and painful breasts, extreme mood swings, irritability, worsened hypoglycemia, no appetite, dead libido, HEAVY periods, horrible cramping, and headaches. I must be allergic to something in Trinessa, or maybe it really isn't the same as OTC? Either way, this BC has made me consider quitting BC altogether due to the insane side effects."

• Rub...
• July 29, 2017

For Acne "Okay, honestly, I'm not sure how well this has worked in terms of combating my acne. I started in December, and ever since then, I've had a mixture of AMAZING skin days, but also a few bad breakouts of cystic acne (currently, me right now). I honestly don't really know how to rate this because I think it has helped in some ways, but it's hard to tell. I also went on minocycline recently, which previously helped a lot, but this time I went on it I think it broke me out even more?? Anyways, that's my experience so far. I'll stay on it to see if it gets better even though I've been on it quite a while."

• Rub...
• July 29, 2017

For Acne "Okay, honestly, I'm not sure how well this has worked in terms of combating my acne. I started in December, and ever since then, I've had a mixture of AMAZING skin days, but also a few bad breakouts of cystic acne (currently, me right now). I honestly don't really know how to rate this because I think it has helped in some ways, but it's hard to tell. I also went on minocycline recently, which previously helped a lot, but this time I went on it I think it broke me out even more?? Anyways, that's my experience so far. I'll stay on it to see if it gets better even though I've been on it quite a while."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2018

For Birth Control "So I started using this for birth control in November and immediately started breaking out heavily, and my periods went from 5 days to 7. The acne was so painful and awful I went to my doctor and begged her to change me to something else, and she said my body will adjust to the hormones and my skin will be better in no time. It’s March now, and my skin is actually worse. On top of that, I’m having insomnia. The acne is really intolerable. Weigh options before using this drug, please."

• M C...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Out of the 3 pills I have taken (the others being Microgestin Fe and Tri Lo Sprintec), Trinessa is probably the best. Microgestin caused not only constant constipation and the worst depression I've ever experienced. I switched to Trinessa, and these problems lessened within the first month. Trinessa did give me some nasty forehead acne and mood swings, but these also disappeared relatively quickly. My only real complaint is that until the 5th month on it, I would spot for a week straight before my placebo week. My flow was pretty heavy, but no terrible cramps accompanied it."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2018

For Birth Control "Extremely bad mood swings. I’ve never experienced acne before, and this medication made me break out for weeks on my chin and cheeks. I felt bloated all the time, even though I eat very healthy and drink tons of water. I do not recommend."

• Aly...
• January 15, 2018

For Birth Control "Taking for birth control. Been on it for 3 1/2 months and have had constant spotting throughout (despite having normal periods prior) accompanied by cramps. I got terrible acid reflux that is constant no matter what I eat or don’t eat. And a breakout in the last month. Will be switching ASAP."

• Not...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 11, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for 6 months, and it was the first birth control I’ve ever taken. I didn’t have any side effects right away, but for 4 of the 6 months I was on the pill, I had breakthrough bleeding. I’d get my period in the second week of pills, and it’d last for a week. Then I’d get it again during placebo week. Not fun. My acne also got so much worse. Before this pill, I had mild acne, and this pill made me break out so bad after month 3. I went to my doctor, and she finally changed me to something else."

• Sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2019

"Worked great as far as preventing pregnancy, but it made me so moody. I feel like I turned into a completely different person within the first 2 months of taking this medication. I would cry and go off and feel like the world was falling apart if one tiny thing went wrong. I do think it made my acne worse, but I did not experience any weight gain. The only good thing I have to say about TriNessa Lo birth control is that my period cycle was extremely routine. Started on the first day of my empty pill and ended on the last day of my empty pill."

• Twi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2019

For Acne "This is the worst form of birth control on the market. I have been taking it for 4 months, and I've experienced all of the side effects. I initially chose this birth control to alleviate some of my acne issues, and this pill broke me out so badly, so do NOT take it. My breasts are much bigger, and they hurt so badly every day, I've even had to sleep in bras. The pill has increased my appetite, and I still occasionally feel nauseous. During my period week, I have severe cramps and fatigue more than I had prior to taking the pill. Although it does prevent pregnancy, that's about it. I'm on my fourth pack and have decided against taking the medicine. Beware."

• Sar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 16, 2019

For Birth Control "This was the best birth control I had ever used. I was on this pill for about 3 years. It made my period so regular. I skipped it every 3 months and never had any spotting in between. It made my cystic acne non-existent. Did not change my mood or weight at all. It was a miracle. For the past year, I have tried 5 different brands and they are all horrible. Tri Lo Sprintec is supposed to be the most similar, but it is the worst one I’d ever used. Not similar at all. I am so sad this pill has been discontinued and I pray they bring it back."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I took this birth control for almost 2 years with really no bad side effects. I did have the worst acne for the first maybe 7 months of being on it until it finally cleared up! It was awful looking. I also gained like 10 lbs, but I’m underweight anyways, so I was happy about that."

• Boo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking TriNessa Lo for birth control. It's only been a month, but I'm not happy about it. In just a little over a month, my skin has gone from perfect to horrendous. Constant breakouts and painful acne."

• Boo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking TriNessa Lo for birth control. It's only been a month, but I'm not happy about it. In just a little over a month, my skin has gone from perfect to horrendous. Constant breakouts and painful acne."

• Jjo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this medication one full pack now. Early on, I had a bit of tender breasts but nothing serious. Sex drive has actually increased instead of decreased. Acne isn’t any better yet but hoping that comes later. So far, it’s prevented pregnancy as far as I know. But I don’t like how hungry I am all the time. I’ve gained 5+ lbs in over a month, and I was already overweight. I do think it’s improved my mood though, so that’s a plus to me. I’ll continue it with what I’ve experienced so far. And just try to lose the weight."

• Bre...
• August 30, 2018

For Acne "I am on week three of TriNessa, and I have had horrible acne breakouts all over my face, my back, my neck, and my butt! Places I’ve never had them before. Before I stop, I will ask the doctor if it gets worse before it gets better, but these aren’t little pimples. I get huge, thick, and deep ones that seem to not pop, turn red, and hurt. It’s like the cystic acne."

• Bre...
• August 30, 2018

For Acne "I am on week three of TriNessa, and I have had horrible acne breakouts all over my face, my back, my neck, and my butt! Places I’ve never had them before. Before I stop, I will ask the doctor if it gets worse before it gets better, but these aren’t little pimples. I get huge, thick, and deep ones that seem to not pop, turn red, and hurt. It’s like the cystic acne."

• Ale...
• November 30, 2016

For Acne "I've only been on TriNessa Lo for about a week and a half, but ever since I started, my mostly clear skin has exploded with acne, so I'm stopping before it gets worse :/"