Everything you need to know about Apri 28 Day: what it is, how it's used, dosage instructions, who shouldn't take it, and how much it costs in 2026.
Apri 28 Day is a prescription birth control pill that contains two synthetic hormones — desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol — taken daily to prevent pregnancy. It's one of the most commonly prescribed generic oral contraceptives in the United States.
Whether you've just been prescribed Apri 28 Day or you're researching your options, here's everything you need to know about this medication in 2026.
Apri 28 Day is a combined oral contraceptive (COC) manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals. It's a generic version of the brand-name drug Desogen.
Key facts:
Each 28-day pack contains 21 active rose-colored tablets (each with desogestrel 0.15 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg) and 7 white inactive (placebo) tablets. It's a monophasic pill, meaning all active tablets contain the same dose of hormones.
Apri 28 Day is FDA-approved for the prevention of pregnancy (oral contraception).
Doctors commonly prescribe Apri 28 Day off-label for several other conditions:
Apri 28 Day is taken as one tablet daily, at the same time each day, for 28 consecutive days:
There are two common ways to start Apri 28 Day:
If you miss one active pill, take it as soon as you remember and take the next pill at your regular time (this may mean taking two pills in one day). If you miss two or more active pills, check the patient package insert or call your provider — you may need backup contraception.
Apri 28 Day is not safe for everyone. You should not take it if you have any of the following:
Boxed warning: "Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day) and is quite marked in women over 35 years of age."
For a full breakdown of potential side effects, see our Apri 28 Day side effects guide. For drug interactions, check our interactions guide.
The cost of Apri 28 Day depends on your insurance status:
Under the ACA contraceptive mandate, most insurance plans cover generic oral contraceptives like Apri 28 Day at $0 copay. Prior authorization is generally not required. Some plans may prefer a specific generic equivalent, so check your formulary. Medicaid covers oral contraceptives in all states.
Since Apri is already a generic, there is no manufacturer copay card. However, uninsured patients may be eligible for the Teva Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program or resources through NeedyMeds and RxAssist.
For more ways to save, see our complete Apri 28 Day savings guide.
Apri 28 Day is a well-established, affordable oral contraceptive that's been on the market for years. It's effective, widely available in generic form, and covered at no cost under most insurance plans. Like all combined oral contraceptives, it's important to discuss your medical history with your provider to make sure it's the right choice for you.
If you're ready to fill your prescription, visit Medfinder to find Apri 28 Day in stock at pharmacies near you.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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