Medications

Afirmelle 28 Day

Afirmelle 28 Day

Previously Found with Medfinder

Comprehensive medication guide to {drug} including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.

Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$25 copay; most plans cover it at no cost under the ACA contraceptive mandate.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$15–$50 retail without insurance; as low as $9–$15 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons.
Medfinder Findability Score
82
/100
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Post Author

Peter Daggett

Last Updated

March 25, 2026

Afirmelle 28 Day 2026 Availability, Prices, and Tips to Find

What Is Afirmelle 28 Day?

Afirmelle 28 Day is a monophasic combination oral contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. Each active tablet contains Levonorgestrel 0.1 mg (a progestin) and Ethinyl Estradiol 0.02 mg (an estrogen). It is the generic equivalent of Alesse, which has been discontinued in the United States. Afirmelle comes in a 28-day pack with 21 active hormone tablets and 7 inert reminder tablets to help maintain a daily pill-taking routine.

Afirmelle 28 Day is manufactured by Lupin Pharmaceuticals and is FDA-approved for the prevention of pregnancy. It is one of several generic versions of Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.1 mg/0.02 mg available on the market.

How does Afirmelle 28 Day work?

Afirmelle 28 Day works through three primary mechanisms to prevent pregnancy:

  • Ovulation suppression: The combination of Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg each month.
  • Cervical mucus thickening: The progestin component thickens cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to reach the egg.
  • Endometrial changes: The hormones alter the uterine lining, reducing the likelihood of implantation if fertilization were to occur.

When taken correctly — one pill at the same time every day — Afirmelle 28 Day is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. With typical use (accounting for missed pills), effectiveness is approximately 91%.

What doses are available for Afirmelle 28 Day?

  • Levonorgestrel 0.1 mg / Ethinyl Estradiol 0.02 mg — 28-tablet pack (21 active white tablets + 7 inert green reminder tablets). This is the only available dose and formulation for Afirmelle.

How hard is it to find Afirmelle 28 Day in stock?

Afirmelle 28 Day is a widely available generic oral contraceptive. As a monophasic combination birth control pill containing Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol, it belongs to one of the most commonly prescribed drug classes in the United States. There is no current FDA shortage for Afirmelle 28 Day, and it is stocked at most major retail pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Rite Aid. Some patients may encounter occasional availability gaps at smaller independent pharmacies, but switching to an equivalent generic (such as Aviane, Lutera, or Aubra) is straightforward and widely accepted by prescribers.

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Who Can Prescribe Afirmelle 28 Day?

Afirmelle 28 Day can be prescribed by a wide range of healthcare providers, including:

  • OB/GYNs — The most common prescribers of oral contraceptives
  • Primary care physicians — Family medicine and internal medicine doctors
  • Nurse practitioners (NPs) and Physician assistants (PAs)
  • Telehealth providers — Many online services like Nurx, SimpleHealth, and The Pill Club can prescribe and deliver birth control

In some states, pharmacists can also prescribe and dispense hormonal birth control directly without a doctor's visit. Check your state's regulations for pharmacist prescribing authority.

Is Afirmelle 28 Day a controlled substance?

No. Afirmelle 28 Day is not a controlled substance. It is a prescription medication but does not fall under any DEA scheduling. There are no special restrictions on prescribing, dispensing, or refilling Afirmelle 28 Day beyond the standard requirement for a valid prescription.

Common Side Effects of Afirmelle 28 Day

Most side effects of Afirmelle 28 Day are mild and often improve within the first 2–3 months of use. Common side effects include:

  • Nausea or vomiting (especially when first starting)
  • Breast tenderness or swelling
  • Breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods
  • Headaches
  • Bloating or weight changes
  • Mood changes or irritability
  • Acne or darkening of facial skin (melasma)
  • Decreased libido
  • Problems with contact lenses

Serious side effects are rare but require immediate medical attention. These include signs of blood clots (leg swelling, sudden chest pain, shortness of breath), stroke symptoms (sudden numbness, severe headache, vision changes), liver problems (dark urine, jaundice), and severe allergic reactions. The risk of serious side effects is higher in women who smoke, especially those over age 35.

Alternative Medications to Afirmelle 28 Day

If Afirmelle 28 Day is unavailable or not the right fit, there are several alternatives in the same drug class (Levonorgestrel 0.1 mg / Ethinyl Estradiol 0.02 mg):

  • Aviane — One of the most widely available generics with the same formulation
  • Lutera — Another common generic equivalent
  • Aubra / Aubra EQ — Bioequivalent generic alternatives
  • Falmina — Same active ingredients and dosing
  • Orsythia — Another therapeutically equivalent option
  • Vienva — Same formulation, widely stocked
  • Sronyx — Bioequivalent Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol generic

If your provider recommends a different hormone combination, other popular low-dose oral contraceptives include Yaz (Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol), Lo Loestrin Fe (Norethindrone/Ethinyl Estradiol), and Sprintec (Norgestimate/Ethinyl Estradiol). Always consult your prescriber before switching medications.

Drug Interactions with Afirmelle 28 Day

Several medications and substances can reduce the effectiveness of Afirmelle 28 Day or cause interactions:

  • Antibiotics: Rifampin (Rifadin) significantly reduces oral contraceptive effectiveness. Most other antibiotics do not interact, but discuss with your provider.
  • Anticonvulsants: Phenytoin (Dilantin), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Phenobarbital, Topiramate (Topamax), and Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) can decrease hormone levels.
  • HIV medications: Certain protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors may interact.
  • Hepatitis C medications: Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir (Technivie) is contraindicated with Afirmelle.
  • St. John's Wort: This herbal supplement can reduce contraceptive effectiveness.
  • Antifungals: Griseofulvin may decrease effectiveness.
  • Modafinil (Provigil): May reduce contraceptive effectiveness.

Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Use backup contraception if you start a new medication that may interact with Afirmelle 28 Day.

Final Thoughts on Afirmelle 28 Day

Afirmelle 28 Day is a reliable, affordable, and widely available generic oral contraceptive. With no current FDA shortages and multiple equivalent generics on the market, patients should have little difficulty finding this medication in stock. Cash prices are already low for this generic, and coupon programs can bring costs down to under $15 per month. Most insured patients pay $0 under the ACA contraceptive coverage mandate.

If you're having trouble locating Afirmelle 28 Day at your pharmacy, try using Medfinder to check availability near you, or ask your pharmacist about switching to an equivalent generic like Aviane, Lutera, or Aubra. Your prescriber can easily update your prescription to an alternative with the same active ingredients.

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