Your Pharmacy Is Out of Apri 28 Day — Now What?

If your pharmacy can't fill your Apri 28 Day prescription, don't panic. There are several alternative birth control pills that contain the same active ingredients or work in a very similar way. The most important thing is that you don't go without contraception while you figure out your next step.

In this guide, we'll explain what Apri is, how it works, and walk you through the best alternatives — from identical generics to other popular oral contraceptives your doctor might recommend.

What Is Apri 28 Day?

Apri 28 Day is a combined oral contraceptive (COC) manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals. It's the generic version of the brand-name pill Ortho-Cept. Each 28-day pack contains:

• 21 active tablets: Desogestrel 0.15 mg + Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg (30 mcg)
• 7 inactive (placebo) tablets

Apri is monophasic, meaning every active pill delivers the same dose of hormones. It's one of the most commonly prescribed birth control pills in the United States.

How Does Apri 28 Day Work?

Apri prevents pregnancy through three mechanisms:

1. Suppresses ovulation: The combination of Desogestrel (a progestin) and Ethinyl Estradiol (an estrogen) prevents your ovaries from releasing an egg each month.
2. Thickens cervical mucus: This makes it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
3. Alters the uterine lining: This reduces the likelihood of implantation if an egg were fertilized.

For a deeper dive into how this medication works, check out our post on Apri's mechanism of action.

Direct Equivalents: Same Ingredients, Different Name

The easiest switch is to another brand that contains exactly the same active ingredients in the same dose. These are therapeutically equivalent to Apri — your pharmacist can usually substitute them without a new prescription.

Reclipsen

Reclipsen contains Desogestrel 0.15 mg and Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg — identical to Apri. It's another widely available generic of Ortho-Cept. If your pharmacy has Reclipsen but not Apri, it's the same medication under a different label. Cost is similar: roughly $10 to $25 with a discount card.

Enskyce

Enskyce is another branded generic with the exact same formulation as Apri. Same hormones, same doses, same 21/7 pack layout. It's manufactured by a different company, which means it may be available when Apri isn't. Pricing is comparable.

Other Identical Generics

Additional brands with the same Desogestrel 0.15 mg / Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg formulation include:

• Solia
• Emoquette
• Juleber
• Isibloom

All of these are interchangeable with Apri. Ask your pharmacist which ones they have in stock, or check Medfinder to see availability near you.

Similar Alternatives: Different Progestin, Same Approach

If none of the direct equivalents are available, your doctor may recommend a different combined oral contraceptive. These pills work the same way but use a different progestin.

Sprintec (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol)

Sprintec is one of the most prescribed birth control pills in America. It contains Norgestimate 0.25 mg and Ethinyl Estradiol 0.035 mg. Like Apri, it's a monophasic combined pill taken in a 28-day cycle. Sprintec is FDA-approved for both contraception and moderate acne in women 15 and older. It's widely available and typically costs $9 to $20 with a discount card.

Junel FE 1.5/30 (Norethindrone Acetate / Ethinyl Estradiol)

Junel FE is another popular monophasic pill containing Norethindrone Acetate 1.5 mg and Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg, plus iron in the placebo tablets. It's one of the most prescribed oral contraceptives in the U.S. and is generally easy to find. Prices range from $8 to $20 with a discount card.

Kariva / Azurette (Desogestrel / Ethinyl Estradiol — Biphasic)

Kariva and Azurette also contain Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol, but they're biphasic — the hormone levels change partway through the cycle. They contain 21 active pills (with two different dose levels) and 7 days of low-dose estrogen or placebo. These aren't identical to Apri, but they use the same progestin and may be a good option if your doctor recommends it.

How to Switch Safely

Switching between oral contraceptives is generally straightforward, but here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Same ingredients? If you're switching to a direct equivalent (Reclipsen, Enskyce, etc.), you can usually start the new pill at the same point in your cycle.
• Different progestin? If switching to Sprintec, Junel FE, or another pill with different ingredients, start the new pill at the beginning of a new pack cycle. Your doctor may advise using backup contraception for the first 7 days.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before switching, especially if you have any health conditions or take other medications that could interact with your new pill.

For information on drug interactions with Apri, see our detailed guide.

Final Thoughts

Not being able to find your birth control is stressful, but you have more options than you might think. If Apri 28 Day isn't available, identical generics like Reclipsen and Enskyce are your easiest switch. If those aren't available either, pills like Sprintec and Junel FE are excellent alternatives that work just as well.

Use Medfinder to check which pharmacies near you have Apri or its equivalents in stock. And if you're struggling to find any of these medications, our guide to finding Apri in stock has additional tips and resources.

Want to understand the full picture? Read about Apri side effects or learn how to save money on your prescription.