Comprehensive medication guide to Desogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0 copay for most patients with ACA-compliant private insurance under the contraceptive coverage mandate; $5-$30 copay for those on grandfathered plans or plans requiring prior authorization for a non-preferred brand.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$80-$160 retail per 28-tablet pack without insurance; as low as $27.80 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons at participating pharmacies for common monophasic brands like Apri or Reclipsen.
Medfinder Findability Score
82/100
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Desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol is a combination hormonal birth control pill (oral contraceptive) containing two synthetic hormones: desogestrel (a third-generation progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (a synthetic estrogen). It is available under more than 25 brand names in the United States, including Apri, Reclipsen, Kariva, Mircette, Enskyce, Azurette, Viorele, Cyclessa, and many others.
The medication is FDA-approved for contraception (prevention of pregnancy). Physicians also commonly prescribe it off-label for dysmenorrhea (painful periods), heavy or irregular menstruation, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It comes in three main formulation types: monophasic (same dose every day), biphasic (two different doses), and triphasic (three progressively changing doses).
Desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol is not a controlled substance and is widely available at pharmacies across the United States. It requires a prescription from any licensed prescriber including OB/GYNs, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
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Desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol works primarily by suppressing ovulation -- preventing the release of an egg from the ovary. The ethinyl estradiol component suppresses GnRH release from the hypothalamus, which reduces FSH and LH secretion from the pituitary gland, preventing follicular development. Desogestrel is converted in the body to etonogestrel (its active metabolite), which independently inhibits gonadotropin secretion and prevents the LH surge that would otherwise trigger ovulation.
As secondary mechanisms, the progestin (etonogestrel) thickens cervical mucus to impede sperm penetration, and the hormones alter the endometrial lining to make it less receptive to implantation. Together, these three mechanisms make desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol highly effective at preventing pregnancy, with a typical use failure rate of less than 5% per year and a perfect use failure rate of approximately 1% per year.
Desogestrel is classified as a third-generation progestin and is metabolized by hepatic CYP2C9 to its active form, etonogestrel. Ethinyl estradiol is metabolized by CYP3A4. Both hormones reach peak plasma concentrations 1-1.5 hours after ingestion and achieve steady-state levels by day 21 of continued use.
0.15 mg/0.03 mg — tablet (monophasic)
21 active + 7 inert tablets per 28-day pack. Brands include Apri, Reclipsen, Enskyce, Emoquette, Desogen, Ortho-Cept, Isibloom, Juleber, Solia, Cyred, Cyred EQ.
0.15 mg DSG/0.02 mg EE + 0.01 mg EE tail — tablet (biphasic)
21 active tablets with lower EE dose + 2 inert + 5 very low-dose EE tablets. Brands include Kariva, Azurette, Mircette, Viorele, Kimidess, Pimtrea, Bekyree.
0.1/0.125/0.15 mg DSG/0.025 mg EE — tablet (triphasic)
Three phases with increasing desogestrel doses. Brands include Cyclessa, Caziant, Cesia, Velivet.
Desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol is not in a national shortage and is generally widely available across the U.S. pharmacy system. It is manufactured by multiple companies under more than 25 brand names, making it one of the most broadly available generic contraceptives. The FDA Drug Shortages Database does not list this medication.
Despite no national shortage, patients frequently encounter local stock gaps. The main challenges are brand fragmentation (each pharmacy stocks only a subset of the 25+ available brands) and insurance formulary misalignment (your plan's preferred brand may not be what your pharmacy stocks). These issues are most pronounced in January when new insurance formularies take effect.
If you are having trouble finding your specific brand, medfinder can help. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones have your medication in stock and texts you the results -- so you can go directly to a pharmacy that can fill your prescription today.
Desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol is not a controlled substance, so any licensed prescriber with prescribing authority can write for it. No special DEA registration or certification is required. Prescribers who commonly prescribe it include:
OB/GYNs (Obstetricians/Gynecologists)
Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) and Family Medicine Doctors
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs)
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs)
Pediatricians (for postpubertal adolescent patients)
Telehealth providers can also prescribe desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol online in most states. Platforms including Nurx, The Pill Club, Pandia Health, Wisp, and Planned Parenthood Direct offer online consultations and can send prescriptions to your pharmacy or ship medication directly to your home within 24-48 hours.
No. Desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol is not a controlled substance and is not listed in any DEA drug schedule (Schedules I-V). It is a prescription medication, but unlike controlled substances, it does not carry DEA prescribing restrictions. Prescribers do not need a DEA number to prescribe it, and it can be prescribed in advance in quantities up to a full year's supply.
Most insurance plans allow 90-day supplies by mail order. Telehealth providers can prescribe it online and ship it to your door. There are no refill restrictions related to controlled substance scheduling -- standard pharmacy refill rules apply, allowing refills when approximately 75% of the previous supply has been used.
Most common side effects appear during the first 1-3 months and typically improve by the fourth cycle:
Nausea or upset stomach (especially in the first pack)
Headache
Breast tenderness
Breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods
Mood changes including depressive symptoms
Decreased sex drive (libido)
Bloating and mild fluid retention
Contact lens intolerance due to corneal changes
Serious side effects requiring emergency care: Blood clots (DVT, pulmonary embolism, retinal vein thrombosis), stroke, heart attack, severe liver problems, and severe allergic reactions. Seek emergency care immediately for sudden chest pain or shortness of breath, severe leg pain or swelling, sudden vision changes or severe headache, or difficulty speaking or weakness in arm or leg.
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Levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol (Portia, Altavera, Sprintec Lo)
Second-generation progestin COC; widely available and often less expensive than desogestrel-based pills. The most commonly prescribed generic COC in the U.S.
Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol (Sprintec, Tri-Sprintec, MonoNessa)
Third-generation progestin COC also FDA-approved for moderate acne treatment. Widely available and often well-tolerated.
Drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol (Yaz, Yasmin, Loryna)
Anti-androgenic progestin COC; may benefit patients with acne or PMDD. Slightly higher VTE risk profile; discuss with your provider.
Norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol with iron (Junel Fe, Loestrin Fe, Blisovi Fe)
COC with iron supplement; suitable for patients with iron-deficiency anemia or those who want cycle-related iron support.
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Rifampin (rifampicin)
majorPotent CYP3A4 inducer that substantially reduces blood levels of both desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. Contraceptive efficacy significantly reduced. Use non-hormonal backup during rifampin therapy and for 28 days after stopping.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
majorEnzyme-inducing anticonvulsant that reduces oral contraceptive hormone levels. Women on carbamazepine should use a non-hormonal contraceptive method.
Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (Viekira Pak)
majorHepatitis C combination regimen contraindicated with ethinyl estradiol due to risk of severe ALT elevations (>5-20x ULN). Must discontinue COC before starting.
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
moderateCOCs significantly reduce lamotrigine blood levels via glucuronidation induction. Seizure control may be compromised. Lamotrigine dosing must be reassessed when starting or stopping COCs.
St. John's Wort
majorHerbal supplement that induces CYP3A4, reducing hormone blood levels and contraceptive efficacy. Avoid concurrent use or use non-hormonal backup contraception.
Levothyroxine (thyroid hormone)
moderateCOCs increase thyroid-binding globulin, reducing free thyroid hormone. Women on thyroid replacement may need higher levothyroxine doses after starting COCs.
Desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol is a well-established, widely available combination oral contraceptive with a strong safety record for healthy, non-smoking women. With more than 25 brand names across multiple formulation types, it is one of the most versatile contraceptive options in the U.S. market. Most commercially-insured patients qualify for $0 copay under the ACA, and uninsured patients can often access it for under $30 per month with prescription discount cards.
The primary challenge patients face is not cost or a formal shortage, but navigating the brand fragmentation problem -- finding which pharmacy near them stocks their specific brand or formulation. Refilling early, using mail-order pharmacies, and exploring telehealth options can all reduce the frequency of fill problems. When local stock issues arise, acting quickly -- calling your prescriber, exploring equivalent brands, and using pharmacy search tools -- prevents dangerous gaps in contraceptive coverage.
If you are ever having trouble finding desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol in stock near you, medfinder is here to help. medfinder calls pharmacies in your area to check which ones can fill your prescription and texts you the results -- so you can get your medication without spending your afternoon on hold.
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Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Desogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
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