What Is Tri-Lo-Sprintec? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Tri-Lo-Sprintec 28 Day is one of the most widely used combination oral contraceptives in the United States. Here's everything you need to know about it — from what it contains to how to take it correctly — explained in plain language.

What Is Tri-Lo-Sprintec?

Tri-Lo-Sprintec (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol) is a combination oral contraceptive (COC) pill that contains two types of hormones: norgestimate (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). It is a generic medication made by Teva Pharmaceuticals and is a generic equivalent of the discontinued brand-name Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo.

The name tells you a lot about the drug:

• "Tri": Triphasic — the hormone doses change three times across the 28-day pack
• "Lo": Low-dose estrogen — 25 mcg of ethinyl estradiol, vs. 35 mcg in the higher-dose version
• "28 Day": The pack contains 28 tablets — 21 active hormone pills and 7 inactive (placebo) pills

What Is Tri-Lo-Sprintec Used For?

The FDA has approved Tri-Lo-Sprintec for one primary use:

• Prevention of pregnancy (contraception)

Beyond pregnancy prevention, many patients and providers also use norgestimate/EE combination pills for off-label benefits, though Tri-Lo-Sprintec is not specifically FDA-approved for these:

• More regular, lighter, and less painful periods
• Reduced risk of ovarian cysts
• Improvement in acne (FDA-approved for Tri-Sprintec, the higher-dose version; class effect may apply)
• Symptom relief for endometriosis (off-label)

What's In the Pack? Dosage Breakdown

Each 28-day blister pack contains tablets in a specific triphasic order:

• Days 1–7: 7 gray tablets — norgestimate 0.18 mg + ethinyl estradiol 0.025 mg
• Days 8–14: 7 light blue tablets — norgestimate 0.215 mg + ethinyl estradiol 0.025 mg
• Days 15–21: 7 blue tablets — norgestimate 0.25 mg + ethinyl estradiol 0.025 mg
• Days 22–28: 7 white tablets — inert/placebo (no hormones); your period typically occurs during this phase

How Do You Take Tri-Lo-Sprintec?

Take one tablet by mouth every day at the same time, following the order in the blister pack. The standard starting instructions:

• Day 1 start: Begin on the first day of your period. No backup contraception needed.
• Sunday start: Begin the first Sunday after your period starts. Use a backup method (condoms) for the first 7 days.

After finishing all 28 tablets, start a new pack the next day — don't skip a day even during your period.

How Effective Is Tri-Lo-Sprintec?

With perfect use (taking the pill every day at the same time), combination oral contraceptives are over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. With typical use (occasional missed pills or timing errors), effectiveness is approximately 91-93% — about 7-9 pregnancies per 100 women per year. Clinical studies with norgestimate/EE found approximately 1 pregnancy per 100 women-years under study conditions.

Want to understand how it works in your body? See: How Does Tri-Lo-Sprintec Work? Mechanism of Action Explained in Plain English.

For side effect information: Tri-Lo-Sprintec Side Effects: What to Expect and When to Call Your Doctor.