BBJ asked
So I switched from Taytulla to Junel 24 Fe, they are the same hormones and same dosage. I finished my Taytulla pack and just took my first Junel pill. Should I be okay to have sex like I usually would with Taytulla since they're the same?
Answer
As you mentioned, Taytulla contains the same hormones, in the same amounts, as Junel Fe 24. However, they aren't technically interchangeable (according to FDA generic substitution law) since Taytulla comes in a capsule dosage form while Junel 24 Fe comes in a tablet.
Nevertheless, there should be no issues when switching from one to another, and switching is easy. If you are switching from Taytulla to Junel 24 Fe:
- Start Junel 24 Fe on the first day you would have started your previous birth control pack.
For example:
- You finished taking your last placebo pill (iron pill) from your Taytulla pack on Saturday, and you would be starting your next pack on Sunday.
- Simply start Junel 24 Fe on that Sunday.
As long as you start Junel 24 Fe when you would have started your next pack of Taytulla, you are protected from pregnancy. There is no need to use back-up contraception since you are not missing any active hormone containing pills.
Below, we list the active and inactive ingredients for each product (Junel 24 Fe, Taytulla) to highlight the differences between them.
Taytulla Ingredients
Active Ingredients:
- Ethinyl Estradiol 20 mcg
- Norethindrone Acetate 1 mg
Inactive Ingredients:
- Alcohol
- Dehydrated dl-alpha-Tocopherol
- FD&C Red No. 40
- Gelatin
- Glycerin
- Oleoyl Polyoxylglycerides
- Sesame Oil
- Sorbitol
- Titanium Dioxide
The (4) non-hormone pills contain:
- Ferrous Fumarate 75 mg
- Beeswax FD&C Blue No. 1
- FD&C Red No. 40
- Gelatin
- Glycerin
- Lecithin
- Sorbitol
- Soybean Oil
- Titanium Dioxide
Junel 24 Fe Ingredients
Active Ingredients
- Ethinyl Estradiol 20 mcg
- Norethindrone Acetate 1mg
Inactive Ingredients
- Acacia Senegal
- D&C Yellow No. 10
- Lactose
- Magnesium Stearate
- Pregelatinized Corn Starch
- Sucrose
The (4) non-hormone pills contain:
- Ferrous Fumarate 75 mg
- Crospovidone
- Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
- Microcrystalline Cellulose