Hello
I've been on and off of this board for some years now. I was just wondering if anyone is taking Desogen or its generic Apri bcp. I have been taking Yasmin for about 2 years and really like it although I still breakout some. Unfortunately I had an insurance change and now generic prescriptions are only $10 whereas non-generic are $25. I have heard some things about Apri/Desogen and it helping acne so I decided to give it a shot despite being really nervous about it. Today I took my 2nd pill of it so obviously I don't know anything yet but was wondering if anyone could share their experiences with this bcp (either the generic-Apri or non-generic Desogen). Thanks! :wave:
Sorry, I can't help with experience, because I've also just started Apri. Today is my first day. But I was also on Yasmin for about two years, and changed to Apri because I don't have insurance. I also didn't see any significant changes in my skin with the Yasmin, so I'm also wondering about Desogen/Apri experiences. My face is basically clear now except when I'm breaking out cystically from my period, and I'm hoping this pill might help!
I have been taking Apri for about three months now. Before, I was on ortho-tricyclen Lo for about 2 years, which helped some at first, but then made my face worse and gave my breakthrough bleeding. About 2 weeks into taking Apri, I got a terrible breakout that lasted about 2-4 weeks, which I know sounds awful, but this was the "initial breakout" that I read can happen when starting/switching BCP's (although mostly what I have read about Desogen, many people don't experience the "initial breakout" with Desogen). My face, 3 months later, is still healing. I don't get the breakouts I used to get a week before my period, but I have noticed that I do get some during the week I am off the pill, on the iron pills. I am also on an antiobiotic and prescription vitamin for my skin in conjunction with Apri, but I don't think the antibiotic has the same effect it had when I first took it a couple years ago. I am hoping my face/body will fully adjust to Apri in a couple more months time.
As for my period, it is very regular on Apri, and it lasts about 4 days, no breakthrough bleeding.
I also use topical BP on my skin every day, which also helps with killing the bateria.
Good luck. If I were you, I would give Apri/Desogen at least 3-6 months. Patience, especially in my case, truly is a virtue.
The pill has never been the magic answer for my acne. But I've had better luck with Desogen than any other pill (Yasmin, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo). Brand name works a little better for me than generic Apri (and gives me 2 day periods woohoo!)
Thanks for all your responses and any more are welcome please!
Dceptiveophelia- We will have to keep talking about how things are going on Apri since we obviously have very very similar backgrounds with the pill. Obviously we could have different reactions to it but that's interesting we both switched from Yasmin. I never get cysts..I would say blackheads are my main problem along with some small pimples on my nose and sometimes chin right before my period. I'm not even sure if the pill can help with blackheads but I definitely notice my skin is a bit oilier and I breakout more often before my period so hopefully it can help with that.
I hope I don't get that initial breakout like Kakvox said! Either way I will definitely stick it out for at least 3 months. If not..I am going back to Yasmin and just paying the extra $15 a month.
Thanks again.
I'll try to keep you updated on any differences I see, positive or negative. I get the usual blackheads on my nose, but the PMS cysts are my nemisis right now! And oily skin! Since I don't have insurance, I had to pay about $40 for Yasmin, and with the Apri I pay $20, which is great. If I don't see results, but the effects aren't terrible, I think I may just stay with the Apri because of the cost difference. I was also on Ortho Tri Cyclen for two years...it helped with bacne but not my face, so that's why I switched to Yasmin. If Apri doesn't help, maybe Yasmin will come out with a geneneric in the next couple years?
Dceptiveophelia- hi again! I have the same mindset about the apri. Since it is a lot cheaper than Yasmin I will probably stay on it if my skin stays the same as it was on yasmin or even if it is slightly worse. I wonder why they haven't come out with a Yasmin generic yet? That would be great if they did soon because i really loved that pill! Keep me posted on your experience!
My skin, as I said earlier, initially had a bad bad breakout.
A little more than 3 months into taking Apri (pack #4), I experience breakthrough bleeding (very light, yet still apparent), which lasts for the next 10 days up until my period comes (start of pack #5). I can't explain why this occurred, but perhaps a result of starting a swimming excercise program slightly prior to the breakthrough bleeding. I am also getting breakouts, since the pill obviously isn't working. I am heartbroken.
I go on vacation, stop swimming due to a broken toe, and pessimistically expect breakthrough bleeding. I feel like I am getting early cramps, etc, but they turn out to be a stomach virus. Alas! No breakthrough bleeding, no breakouts, and all seems to be well at the moment.
I still have some slight sores on my face from a couple months back, which when they heal, my face will be clear. I continue to monitor the breakouts a week before my period, to see if they come at all, or if there is BTB, because if neither occur, the pill is finally doing its job. I expect to see the full results in 1 month, 6 months after being on the pill.
Just be patient, I had to be and it was all worth it :wave:
I've been using Apri for about 7-8 months. I'm also taking Minocycline twice a day and use Avita (generic retin-a) at night. My skin is pretty much completely clear other than the very seldom single small zit. I'm SOOOO happy- I thought I would never get results like this. I'm so glad I decided not to take the Accutane plunge.
