User Reviews for Viorele (28) oral

Ever since I started taking Viorele I have had worsened symptoms of depression (which I have been treated for years). I have been taking it for 6 months and my emotional health has continued to get worse. I have never had horrible panic attacks until recently and have never had such severe anxiety. Like most others who have reviewed this drug I was switched from Kariva to Viorele by my CVS pharmacy. They did not tell me they switched it I just found out when I opened the bag when I got home. The pharmacy claimed that Kariva was on back order but I have been receiving Viorele for the past 6 months. When I recently went to refill my prescription they said it was still on back order. How is it possible that it is still on back order? After reading the other reviews it seems like something sketchy is going on with Kariva being switched to Viorele. Read More Read Less

Same experience as most others. CVS switched me from Kariva to Viorele and Ive had nothing but issues. I tried to do three months to give my body a chance to get used to it, and it's still bad. I can't sleep, my acne is terrible, I'm sad, and I experienced bruising on my legs. Because I had other things going on in my life, I really didn't think much of it, but now that my life is back to normal...my body is not. I'm out of refills and I refuse to take this pullnanymore.

I had same situation with CVS changing Kariva to Viorele. I have been on Kariva for years with no problems. Within 1 month on this drug I felt terrible. Bloating, headaches, just not myself. I am also concerned about how effective the drug was because I started experiencing ovulation symptoms again. I would not recommend this drug to anyone who is comfortable on Kariva. It is not the same and after reading many others comments it seems I am not the only one who had this experience.

I was also switched from Kariva to Viorele and have been taking for a few months now. I had taken Kariva for years with minor side effects. I have had headaches everyday as well. I have taken stuff for these headaches and nothing will help it go away. My mom told me to get off this pill immediately. The other side effects I have had are extreme breast tenderness, dizziness, exhaustion, longer periods with terrible cramps, moodiness, upset stomach and loss of appetite. I had CVS special order my Kariva. If you are having these problems with Viorele, you should listen to your body, and get off of it. Read More Read Less

I am with CVS and several months ago I was switched from Kariva to Viorele. I had been on Kariva for many years with not issues. I am normally one not to complain but I have been experiencing such horrible headaches that come on with no warning and last for days. Nothing seems to work to relieve it. I chalked it up to possibly stress. Going back trtying to see if there were any changes that I can attribute these headaches to, I find I am not the only one and this a side effect from Viorele. Not only do I have these extreme headaches, I have noticed I am extemely irratable. There are days I just can't stand myself. I called my doctor today to have me switched from this pill. I did call my local CVS and was told I can still order the Kariva but I have to call in at least 4 days ahead. When I asked if anyone else has called and complained, they said no. Obviously there are many complaints about this medication. I would not recommend Viorele to anyone. Read More Read Less

The pharmacy switched me from Kariva to Viorele due to a change in manufactures. The pharmacist told me that both of these pills have the same ingredients. I trusted that this was true, but my body told me otherwise. I had been taking Kariva for 7-8 years and had minimal side effects. I took viorele for three months and have had to many side affects. My side effects included severe headaches, loss of appetite, exhaustion, moodiness, longer periods and cramps that come and go even when I'm not on my period. Today, I called my pharmacist and had him special order my Kariva. Bye bye viorele! Read More Read Less

I have suffered similar physical discomfort and mood/personality side effects that others have listed here. More painful cramps than usual, horrible acne during the fun week and depressive, paranoid thoughts all the time. I was also switched from Kariva by CVS for cost reasons. I called and told them they needed to switch me back and I can't wait to start back on it next week!!!

i just got switched to this birth control and i have been getting really nauseous around the time of my period and the week your suppose to get your period i didnt i got it the week after and im having horrible cramps and it gets so bad i want to cry DEFF switch DONT take this pill.

Please watch out for these bulletin boards. I am a very sensitive person, health-obsessed and health food and everything, and I have had nothing but a good experience- no side effects to my surprise. Just relief. Also had in-depth conversations with doctors about generics vs. main brand and there is no difference. I have switched between Kariva and Viorele etc and no change. I love this drug.! Keeps me sane and healthy and hormone-stable. My periods are gentle and barely there, which is wonderful compared to how they were. I was also having terrible PMS before for at least half the month, affecting digestion, migraines, tiredness, depression, etc. That is all gone now and I feel free and so happily stable. I remember reading the horror stories before I took this and was very scared and expected the worst- but I am beyond grateful for this drug. People don't report their positive experiences on these boards. I just happened upon this site and felt I needed to step up and share to represent the positive side of things. Also there are 100 million women using oral contraceptives. Many of us are not complaining and in fact are super grateful for relief from natural hormonal madness and sickness! I feel like I have my life back.Read More Read Less

CVS switched me from Kariva to Viorele saying it was the same. During the first 2 weeks I started having sever bloating & difficulty sleeping, week 3 I started spotting. I thought I was going crazy, I'm so glad I came on here & I know it's not me! Do not allow your pharmacy to switch you!

I was switched from Kariva (after taking it for 6 years) to viorele--worst experience! I already get debilitating migraines, and I was getting them closer to once or twice a week instead of the regular once a month. Excess "vaginal secretion" and INTENSE soreness of boobs-it hurt to take off my bra. I was extremely moody & lost all interest in sex whatsoever (I am 23 years old..that's not normal). My friend works at a Kroger pharmacy, and she said they don't like to order it because it is expensive, but that they can 100% order it and keep it in stock for you (it is not discontinued!!). I go to Rite Aid, so I am calling first thing tomorrow to request they order it for me. I can't handle all of these severe side effects. Read More Read Less

I was on Kariva (and previously mircette) for almost 10 years with no problems. 17 days ago I was switched to viorele by cvs. Today and yesterday I've had breakthrough bleeding, which I've never had before. The CVS pharmacist said likely the absorption is less bc the pill is harder. He said its no problem for me to get Kariva but they will have to manually override the default (so have to call to pick up each month and tell them to order Kariva) and order it early bc takes 1-2 days to arrive. No more auto fill, bummer. But I'm so glad they're letting me switch bc it's the only OCP I can tolerate. Well, he said as long as they keep making it. So everyone who wants Kariva, make them order it for you each month, so Kariva stays in business!Read More Read Less

I had very similar experiences with Viorele. I have been feeling so fatigued and nauseous lately that I was beginning to think something was wrong with me. I finally decided to look into the only new variable in my life (Viorele) and it turns out other people had similar side effects. I never had any problems with Kavira. I am planning on taking this up with my dr. and my pharmacist this week! I can't stay on this medication.

I have been swithed from Kariva to Viorele by CVS. Pharmacist at CVSclaimed Kariva was no longer available and Viorele is exact replacement. I have been sick with hives, allergic reactions, headaches, irregularity.....since I have started Viorele 5 weeks ago. Finally I stopped and all those symptoms disappeared. DO NOT take this medicine, go to another pharmacy, they can still get Kariva.

Like many users, this medication made me feel like i was going crazy. I have been on Kariva for 8 years and my pharmacy switched me to this. I was having severe head aches 4-5 days a week, was bloated, gassy, not sleeping well and moody. I also had random cramping and stomach pains. I called my pharmacy who told me that Kariva was no longer made. Gave the medication 2 months and finally went back to my doctor, she found a local pharmacy that said it was infact still being made, and that they still carried Kariva, and my doctor switched me back. (She put on my prescription, "NO SUBSTITUTION FOR KARIVA") So glad to be back on my regular pills, within the first week of being off Viorele, my headaches are much less and i feel so much better. Dont let your pharmacy tell you Kariva is no longer! This medication (Viorele) was awful.. Read More Read Less

Like most of the reviews, I was relieved, but still disturbed, to find that others were experiencing a catastrophic transition from Kariva to Viorele. After taking Kariva for almost 3 years with absolutely minimal side effects, I began to have severe night sweats. I also chalked frequent memory loss up to fatigue or stress. However, evidence of the symptoms ultimately led me to reexamine my birth control - and the fact that the pharmacy had changed it about a month or two ago. I am infuriated and feel betrayed by both the pharmacy and drug company. My body has been well taken care of and protected...this drug has caused trauma to it. Please please please reconsider this specific drug....Read More Read Less

My pharmacy change kariva to viorele and I have the worst experience of my life, I have panic attacks, lost weight,memory loss. Please don't even try it, it is real bad for your body.

This is the worst birth control pill I have ever taken. I had severe insomnia, IRRITABLE, severe bloating and weight gain. I took for 3 months after CVS replaced it for Kariva. My life has been a living hell while on this. I'm so...... glad I read the reviews on here. Now, I know im not losing my mind.

Honestly with taking many differnet birth controls throughout the years this has been the WORST! I have been on it for about 3 weeks now after swtiching from Kariva. I thought the 1st two weeks of gas, bloating, tiredness, mood swings, you name it was all because of the new drug. It has only gotten worse. My weight spiked higher and just had a hard time sleeping at night because of stomach pains and a feeling of insomnia. This drug did not react well with me. Will be going off of birth control for a month or two and switching to something else for my body to get back on track! Read More Read Less

When I started taking this medication, I was happy, healthy, and on a diet, losing weight consistently. The pill destroyed me! The first week, I had the worst migraine I've ever had in my life. I felt sick to my stomach, irritable, and bloated. I gained 2 pounds that week! And I was on a careful diet! Maybe it was water weight/bloating? I don't know. I do know, though, that it wrecked me emotionally, as well. I have never felt so depressed, angry, or upset as I did while taking this medication. I actually thought I needed depression meds or had bipolar disease, and then I realized-- the period week, with no pills, I was absolutely fine. Use condoms or some other form of birth control. This pill is not the answer!Read More Read Less