... This is the first birth control I've ever been on and I've read other forums where Tri-Sprintec users complained of intense itching but nothing definite on any Tri-Sprintec side effect websites. Please help, my scalp, earlobes, face, neck, chest, torso and legs are extremely itchy! (I've changed laundry detergent and soap already as well.)
Does Tri-Sprintec cause all over body itching? I've been on this pill for 4 months now (i believe).?
Question posted by MegGlitteryAlien on 21 Dec 2012
Last updated on 25 June 2017
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4 Answers
Kat428
5 March 2014
It's very common to be allergic to "fillers" in drugs. While many birth controls have the same active ingredients, the non active ingredients vary. I had very bad itching on my chest/neck arms. Stomach and thighs when I took Ocella, no itching on Camilla, and arm/stomach/thigh itching with Tri Sprintec. I'm working with my allergist to see what it is that I'm reacting to. We've ruled out dyes, and the active ingredients, now it's the tedious task of picking through and testing all the inactive ingredients. Follow your gut.
DzooBaby
21 Dec 2012
The best thing to do in your case is to talk to your prescriber. Did the itching just start or has it been this way all 4 months? If it just started, it may not be the pill causing it. Dry skin can cause intense itching and with the cold weather and central heat (depending on where you live) can cause dry skin. You can try some moisturizers. Aveeno has good products that help to calm dry itchy skin. If you truly think it is the pill, talk to your prescribing Dr. There are a lot of pill formulas and perhaps one of the others may work better. It could even be a sensitivity to an inactive ingredient in your pill. I dont want to say allergy because itch without rash is not an allergy. The places you describe the itching are all prime places for dry skin itch and exposure to cold dryness.
MegGlitteryAlien
22 Dec 2012
It started when I first got on the pill, back then it was August and I'm from the south so it's still pretty hot in August. Then it stopped and I had no symptoms from the pill at all except some breast tenderness and slight nausea if I don't eat immediately after taking it. But after last month's pack just before I started on this month's the itching started back up again. I told my Gyno after maybe the first two weeks that I was itchy all over and I thought it was the pill and she told me to switch laundry detergents and try switching soaps too. And she said if it doesn't stop she would look into it further. But it stopped so I thought nothing else of it. It just started back but I also just moved in with my boyfriend at the beginning of this month and he buys powder detergent when all I ever used was liquid.. We just switched to the liquid detergent my parents have always used but haven't had enough time for results.
I just wanted to rule out the pill as a suspect before I take an allergy test because I don't take any other pills other than the occasional Ibuprofen or Aleve. And I'm not allergic to anything that I know of other than bleach, which I am severely allergic to, but I know that isn't an ingredient. Thank you so much for your answer.
kaismama
21 Dec 2012
I agree, so I'll just add, have the hormones dried your skin?
MegGlitteryAlien
22 Dec 2012
Come to think of it, my skin is a little drier than it was before. But it could also be caused by winter skin.
kaismama
22 Dec 2012
Very true, the winter air will dry you out.
Inactive
21 Dec 2012
Hello MegGlitteryAllen, & welcome to the site. My first questin to you is do you have any allergies that you know of to anything? Have you ever been tested for alleriges? A person can become allergic to something at anytime in their life. These allergies can also change over time by going away, getting different ones etc... You are correct it doe not list itching as a side effect for Tri-Sprintec, but that does not mean it isn't necessarily a side effect. It just means it has not been reported. Aslo, & not to scare you, but liver problems have been reported, & that can cause itching. Also Lupus has rarely been reported & it can cause a rash that itches. I would suggest you see an allergist to rule out any other allergies. It could also be that you are allergic to a binder in the medication. I am allergic to corn, & it is used as a binder in most pills to hold them together. They make me itch & break out in a rash.
It could be just about any little thing. It could be something you are eating or a pet also. See your doctor or an allerigst. The newest tests are just a blood draw, although I don't beieve these tests are as conclusive as the older skin prick testing. In the meantime try using benadryl or Sarna cream for the rash It can be bought at any drug store, & is really good for itching. If it comes down to the pill, you can also report this to the FDA so others can be warned it is a side effect. You can do this by calling 1-800-332-1088. Best wishes to you...
MegGlitteryAlien
22 Dec 2012
I'm not allergic to anything that I know of. I don't have any rashes, just itching. Particularly my scalp. I asked my Gyno about it too soon after I got on and she told me to change detergents and soaps and see if that helps. It stopped for a while but just started up again recently. It isn't unbearable, I just want to rule out Tri-Sprintec because it's either that, dry skin (though I use lotions and moisturizers) or possibly the detergent since I just moved in with my boyfriend and he insists on using the powder detergent when all my life my parents have used the liquid. Thank you for your answer, It is much appreciated.
Inactive
22 Dec 2012
I have another suggestion. If your boyfriends wash machine doesn't have 2 rinses, try re-risning your clothes to make sure all the detergent is out of them. I have this problem too, when my hubby does laundry. He uses too much soap, & it doesn't always all get rinsed out. I will check the rinse & if it has soap suds still in it I re-rinse them. If I don't I itch too... Mary
Melnorris
26 June 2017
I have been on this birth control for 2 months and my arms and legs are driving me crazy they itch so much. I have asked doctor to change my medication but she said it's not the medication and didn't. It is about to drive me crazy.
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sprintec, tri-sprintec, birth control, pruritus, side effect
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