Period before placebo pills

So im new to this whole bc pills, its my first month. Im on the combination pills (Brand Marlissa). I take it regularly and im currently 3 pills away before I start my placebo pills. Today I started to have brown spotting and it got heavier and now I think its my period because its enough blood to fill a tampon and its constant. I also have pretty big clots and bad cramps. Is this normal? Am i still protected?