Expert: Brigid Kowalczyk - 7/4/2006

Question
I haven't started taking the sugar pills yet. Normally, I would start taking them this Sunday. Instead I would like to take back to back pill packs. The only thing is I think they will be different brands and I didn't know if that was ok. Right now I am on Ortho Novum, but I need to fill a prescription for Ortho Cyclen before Sunday to take back to back packs. Is there a huge difference between the two kinds, and will starting a new brand allow me to skip my period?
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Followup To

Question -
I am currently on ortho novum, but my new doctor will most likely prescribe me ortho cyclen on Thursday when I get my annual exam. I would like to skip my period this coming week (starting Sunday) Will it work if I start taking ortho cyclen now?

Answer -
It will not.  It is never a good idea to start taking the pill at a time when it is not prescribed.  If you are already in the "sugar or placebo or spacer" pills of the current pack, you can't stop your period from coming.  You can only do that by starting a new pack instead of taking the placebo pills.

Answer
In that case, I suggest you talk to the doctor and find out how similar the chemicals are in each version you are talking about.  If there isn't much difference, I would assume it is possible.  But I don't know the subtleties of the various recipies for the various types of pills.  The doctor or the pharmacist would be more helpful about that.