Updated: January 25, 2026

What Is Low-Ogestrel? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Author

Peter Daggett

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What Is Low-Ogestrel and Who Makes It?
What Is Low-Ogestrel Used For?
How Effective Is Low-Ogestrel?
How Do You Take Low-Ogestrel 28 Day?
Who Should NOT Take Low-Ogestrel?
Is Low-Ogestrel a Controlled Substance?
Where Can I Find Low-Ogestrel?

Everything you need to know about Low-Ogestrel 28 Day in 2026: what it is, what it treats, how to take it, who can use it, and important safety information.

Low-Ogestrel 28 Day is a combination oral contraceptive (birth control pill) used to prevent pregnancy. It contains two synthetic hormones — norgestrel (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen) — that work together to prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, and alter the uterine lining to reduce the chance of fertilization or implantation.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Low-Ogestrel in 2026: what it is, how it works, how to take it, who can and can't take it, and where to find it.

What Is Low-Ogestrel and Who Makes It?

Low-Ogestrel is a generic oral contraceptive manufactured by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories. It was originally developed as a generic version of Lo-Ovral, a brand name birth control pill that has since been discontinued. The formula — norgestrel 0.3 mg / ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg — remains available under multiple generic names including Low-Ogestrel, Cryselle, Elinest, and Turqoz.

Low-Ogestrel is a monophasic pill, meaning every active tablet in the pack contains the same dose of hormones. This is different from triphasic pills, which vary the hormone dose over the course of the cycle.

What Is Low-Ogestrel Used For?

Low-Ogestrel is FDA-approved for one indication: the prevention of pregnancy in women who choose to use it as their method of contraception. It is not approved for emergency contraception, though historically high-dose norgestrel/EE formulations (not Low-Ogestrel's standard dose) have been used off-label for this purpose.

Off-label, some providers prescribe combination oral contraceptives like Low-Ogestrel to help with:

Regulation of irregular menstrual cycles

Reduction of menstrual cramping (dysmenorrhea)

Lighter periods (reduction of menstrual blood loss)

Reduction of ovarian cyst formation

How Effective Is Low-Ogestrel?

In a clinical study of 1,287 women over 11,085 cycles of use, the pregnancy rate for Low-Ogestrel was approximately 1 pregnancy per 100 women per year with typical use. With perfect use (taking every pill at the same time every day without missing any), the failure rate is less than 1%.

Perfect use means: taking one pill daily at the same time, not skipping pills, using backup contraception when required, and not using any medications that reduce contraceptive efficacy (such as rifampin, carbamazepine, or St. John's Wort).

How Do You Take Low-Ogestrel 28 Day?

Each Low-Ogestrel 28-day pack contains:

21 white active tablets — each containing norgestrel 0.3 mg + ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg

7 peach inactive (placebo) tablets — no active hormones

Dosage instructions:

Take one white tablet daily for 21 consecutive days at the same time each day.

Follow with one peach placebo tablet daily for 7 days.

Start a new pack on the 29th day without skipping days.

For a first-time Sunday Start: begin on the first Sunday after your period starts. Use backup contraception for the first 7 days of the first pack.

Who Should NOT Take Low-Ogestrel?

Low-Ogestrel is contraindicated in people who:

Smoke cigarettes and are over 35 years old

Have a personal history of DVT (deep vein thrombosis), pulmonary embolism, or other blood clots

Have current or past breast cancer

Are currently pregnant or suspect pregnancy

Have migraines with aura

Have uncontrolled high blood pressure

Have active or chronic liver disease or liver tumors

Are taking certain hepatitis C medications (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir combinations)

Is Low-Ogestrel a Controlled Substance?

No. Low-Ogestrel is not a controlled substance. It is not scheduled by the DEA. Any licensed prescriber can write a prescription for it, and there are no quantity limits, lockout periods, or special prescription requirements that apply to controlled substances. It does require a prescription, however.

Where Can I Find Low-Ogestrel?

Low-Ogestrel is available at most major retail pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Rite Aid, Kroger), independent pharmacies, and mail-order services. If your local pharmacy doesn't have it in stock, medfinder can search pharmacies near you and let you know which ones have it available.

For information on side effects, see our detailed guide on Low-Ogestrel side effects and when to call your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Low-Ogestrel 28 Day is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy. It is a combination oral contraceptive containing norgestrel 0.3 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg. Providers may also prescribe it off-label to regulate menstrual cycles, reduce cramping, and decrease menstrual blood flow.

Low-Ogestrel is a generic version of Lo-Ovral, which has been discontinued. They contain the same active ingredients — norgestrel 0.3 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg — in the same doses. Low-Ogestrel is therapeutically equivalent to the discontinued Lo-Ovral.

If you start Low-Ogestrel on the first day of your menstrual period (Day 1 start), it is effective immediately. If you use a Sunday Start (beginning on the first Sunday after your period starts), use backup contraception for the first 7 days. Clinical studies indicate that properly initiated COCs provide effective pregnancy prevention by the end of the first week.

Low-Ogestrel does not eliminate your period, but it often makes it lighter and more predictable. Withdrawal bleeding typically occurs during the 7 placebo pill days. About 9% of users in clinical studies experienced missed periods (no withdrawal bleeding). If you miss two periods in a row or miss pills and have no period, take a pregnancy test.

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