"loestrin 24 fe was discontinued and i was switched to minastrin 24 fe. i was told it was the same exact pill, i had been on loestrin for 4 years and never had a problem. sadly minastrin was not the same. i had horrible side effects from this pill, besides the weird periods i had mood swings that made me miserable. i also had a horrible allergic reaction to this medication. it was extremely unclear whether this has to be chewed or not. "