What Is Mircette 28 Day? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Mircette 28 Day is a prescription oral contraceptive that combines two synthetic hormones — a progestin called desogestrel and an estrogen called ethinyl estradiol — in a unique biphasic tablet regimen. It was originally manufactured under the Mircette brand name by Organon; while that brand has been discontinued, multiple FDA-approved generics containing the same formulation remain available.

What Is Mircette 28 Day Used For?

Mircette 28 Day is FDA-approved for one indication:

Prevention of pregnancy (contraception) in women who elect to use oral contraception

In addition to its FDA-approved use, Mircette is sometimes used off-label for:

Menstrual cycle regulation (making periods more predictable and lighter)

Reducing menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)

Reducing the risk of functional ovarian cysts

Improving acne in some patients

What Does the "28 Day" Mean?

The "28 Day" refers to the 28-tablet pack structure. Each pack contains three types of tablets:

21 white tablets (Days 1–21): Each contains 0.15 mg desogestrel + 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol (active hormone tablets)

2 light-green tablets (Days 22–23): Inert/placebo tablets — contain no active hormones

5 yellow tablets (Days 24–28): Each contains 0.01 mg ethinyl estradiol only — the "hormone bridge" unique to this formulation

This 21/2/5 structure makes Mircette a "biphasic" oral contraceptive. This design is different from standard 21/7 or 24/4 pills — the 5-day low-dose estrogen tail is intended to reduce breakthrough bleeding and hormone-withdrawal symptoms during the placebo phase.

How Effective Is Mircette 28 Day?

When taken correctly and consistently, combination oral contraceptives are among the most effective reversible contraceptives available. The Pearl Index for Mircette in clinical trials was 1.02 pregnancies per 100 woman-years of use — this represents typical use in a real-world trial. With perfect use, failure rates are even lower (approximately 0.1–0.3%). The key to effectiveness is taking one pill every day at the same time, without skipping.

How to Take Mircette 28 Day

Choose a start method: Start on the first day of your period ("Day 1 start") or the first Sunday after your period begins ("Sunday start").

Take one pill every day: Take tablets in order from the pack — white first, then green, then yellow — at the same time each day.

No breaks between packs: Start your next pack the day after finishing your current one. Do not skip days between packs.

Use backup contraception: For the first 7 days if using a Sunday start or if pills are missed. For a Day 1 start, you are protected immediately.

Drug Class and Generic Name

Mircette 28 Day belongs to the class of medications known as combined oral contraceptives (COCs) or combination birth control pills. These medications contain both an estrogen and a progestin component. The generic name for Mircette is desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol (and ethinyl estradiol). It is sold under multiple brand names including Kariva, Azurette, Viorele, Volnea, Pimtrea, Kimidess, Bekyree, and Simliya — all bioequivalent to the original Mircette.

Is Mircette 28 Day a Controlled Substance?

No. Mircette 28 Day is not a controlled substance. It is not scheduled by the DEA. It does require a prescription in the United States, but it can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider — including OB/GYNs, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and telehealth providers.

If you're having trouble finding Mircette or a generic equivalent at your pharmacy, medfinder can help locate pharmacies near you that have it in stock. For more detail on side effects and safety, see our article on Mircette 28 Day side effects.