How to Change a Brand of Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills come in many brands and types. Combination pills are monophasic or multiphasic in formula. Monophasic active pills contain the same amount of progestin and estrogen hormones. In multiphasic pills, the amount of hormones in each active pill varies. Conventional birth control pills contain 21 or 24 active pills and seven or four inactive pills. Menstruation occurs during the time when the inactive pills are taken. Pills that contain only active pills eliminate menstruation altogether or only at certain times of the year. Each brand of birth control pills offers these formulations, it is the decision of the doctor and patient to determine which formula works best.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine your symptoms. Knowing the symptoms will help the doctor prescribe the correct hormone.

• 2

  Review other birth control pill options. Some birth control pills enable women to control the number of times per year they menstruate. Each brand and pill has different side effects and methods of preventing pregnancy.

• 3

  Compare the brand currently being used to another brand. A new brand of pill to use for comparison can be found through medical books at the local library, visiting the websites of familiar brands and reviewing television advertisements for new and popular brands.

• 4

  Locate a physician or talk to your family doctor. Birth control pills must be prescribed by a doctor or nurse practitioner. Discuss your concerns about your current birth control pill. The health care provider can determine another brand based on your health history and needs.

• 5

  Fill the prescription at your pharmacy.

• 6

  Start the new brand of pills according to the physician's orders.