When Your Pharmacy Can't Fill Enpresse 28 Day

Running into a wall when trying to fill your Enpresse 28 Day prescription is more common than you'd think. Whether the brand is discontinued at your pharmacy or the generic is temporarily out of stock, the reality is that you still need reliable birth control.

The good news: there are several alternative oral contraceptives that work in a very similar way to Enpresse 28 Day. In this post, we'll explain what Enpresse is, how it works, and walk you through the best alternatives to discuss with your doctor.

What Is Enpresse 28 Day?

Enpresse 28 Day is a triphasic combination oral contraceptive. It contains two hormones:

• Levonorgestrel — a synthetic progestin
• Ethinyl Estradiol — a synthetic estrogen

The "triphasic" part means the hormone doses change three times during the 21 active-pill days of your cycle. The pack includes 6 pink tablets, 5 white tablets, 10 orange tablets, and 7 green placebo tablets for a total of 28 days.

How Does Enpresse 28 Day Work?

Enpresse prevents pregnancy through three mechanisms:

1. Suppresses ovulation — The hormones prevent 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 chance of a fertilized egg implanting

When taken correctly, combination oral contraceptives like Enpresse are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. For more detail, see our post on how Enpresse 28 Day works.

Alternative 1: Trivora-28

Trivora-28 is the most direct alternative to Enpresse 28 Day. It contains the exact same active ingredients — Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol — in the same triphasic dosing pattern. In pharmacological terms, it's an AB-rated generic equivalent.

If your pharmacy can't get Enpresse, Trivora-28 is often the simplest switch because your pharmacist may be able to substitute it without needing a new prescription (depending on your state's substitution laws). The cost is comparable, typically $11 to $30 with a discount card.

Alternative 2: Levlen 28 (Monophasic Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol)

Levlen 28 and its generics (like Altavera and Levora) contain the same two hormones as Enpresse but in a monophasic formulation — meaning you get the same dose every day instead of three phases.

Some women find monophasic pills simpler to manage, while others prefer the triphasic approach. Your doctor can help determine if switching from triphasic to monophasic makes sense for you. These generics typically cost $9 to $25 per pack with a discount card.

Alternative 3: Tri-Sprintec

Tri-Sprintec is another triphasic oral contraceptive, but it uses Norgestimate instead of Levonorgestrel as the progestin. It's combined with Ethinyl Estradiol, just like Enpresse.

Tri-Sprintec is one of the most widely prescribed oral contraceptives in the United States, which means it tends to be easier to find in stock. It's also FDA-approved for treating moderate acne in women who want contraception. Generic versions typically cost $9 to $35 per pack.

Alternative 4: Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Ortho Tri-Cyclen (and its generic, Tri-Previfem) is another triphasic pill using Norgestimate/Ethinyl Estradiol. Like Tri-Sprintec, it's FDA-approved for both contraception and acne treatment.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen has been on the market for decades and has a strong safety and efficacy track record. It's widely available and typically well-covered by insurance with no copay under the ACA contraceptive mandate.

How to Switch Safely

Before switching to any alternative, keep these points in mind:

• Talk to your prescriber first. Don't switch on your own — your doctor knows your medical history and can recommend the best fit.
• Timing matters. Your doctor will advise you on when to start the new pill to maintain continuous protection.
• Expect an adjustment period. When switching oral contraceptives, you may experience some breakthrough bleeding or other mild side effects for the first 1-3 months.
• Use backup contraception if there's any gap between stopping Enpresse and starting a new pill.

Final Thoughts

Not being able to find Enpresse 28 Day is frustrating, but it doesn't mean you're out of options. Trivora-28 offers the closest match, while Tri-Sprintec and Ortho Tri-Cyclen are widely available triphasic alternatives with proven track records.

Start by checking if Enpresse 28 Day is available near you using Medfinder. If it's not, bring this list of alternatives to your next appointment and work with your prescriber to find the best option for you.

For more on managing costs, check out our guide on how to save money on Enpresse 28 Day.