Comprehensive medication guide to Heather 28 Day including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0 copay for generic norethindrone on most ACA-compliant commercial insurance plans; may have a copay for the brand-name Heather specifically. Medicaid covers with possible prior authorization for approximately 10% of enrollees.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$43–$94 retail for a 28-tablet pack of Heather; as low as $19–$22 for an 84-tablet (3-month) supply with a GoodRx or SingleCare coupon for generic norethindrone 0.35 mg.
Medfinder Findability Score
78/100
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Heather 28 Day is a brand-name oral contraceptive containing norethindrone 0.35 mg as its only active ingredient. It is manufactured by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc. and belongs to the class of progestin-only oral contraceptives, commonly called the "mini-pill" (POP). Unlike combination birth control pills that contain both an estrogen and a progestin, Heather 28 Day contains only a synthetic progestin hormone.
Each 28-tablet blister pack contains all active tablets — there are no placebo or reminder pills. Patients take one tablet every single day at the same time, continuously, with no break between packs. The primary FDA-approved use is contraception (prevention of pregnancy), though norethindrone at higher doses is also used for menstrual disorders, endometriosis, and abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Heather 28 Day is one of more than a dozen equivalent norethindrone 0.35 mg brands available in the United States, including Camila, Errin, Jencycla, Nora-Be, Incassia, Lyza, Sharobel, and Jolivette. These are all therapeutically equivalent and may be substituted for one another with prescriber permission.
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Heather 28 Day (norethindrone 0.35 mg) prevents pregnancy through three simultaneous mechanisms. The primary mechanism is thickening the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to penetrate and reach the egg. Norethindrone also alters the endometrium (uterine lining), creating an unfavorable environment for implantation in the rare event that fertilization occurs.
Unlike combination birth control pills, norethindrone 0.35 mg only suppresses ovulation in approximately 50% of cycles. This partial ovulation suppression is why strict daily timing is critical: the cervical mucus protection is time-sensitive, and if a pill is taken more than 3 hours late, drug levels fall enough to reduce protection. Norethindrone is rapidly absorbed, reaching peak plasma concentrations in about 1.2 hours, with an elimination half-life of approximately 8 hours.
Norethindrone also lowers mid-cycle LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) peaks and slows the movement of the ovum through the fallopian tubes, providing additional layers of contraceptive protection. With perfect use, the combination of these mechanisms achieves a 99.5% effectiveness rate (0.5% failure rate per year).
0.35 mg — tablet
One tablet taken orally once daily at the same time every day, continuously. All 28 tablets are active — no placebo pills.
Heather 28 Day is generally available nationally — norethindrone 0.35 mg is not listed on the FDA Drug Shortage Database as of 2026. However, many patients experience difficulty finding it at their specific pharmacy due to generic market fragmentation. Over a dozen brand names (Heather, Camila, Errin, Jencycla, Nora-Be, and others) contain the exact same medication; pharmacies typically stock only one or two brands at a time.
Patients with prescriptions that specify "Heather" by brand name may be turned away even when equivalent products are on the shelf. The most effective solution is to ask your prescriber for a generic prescription that allows any norethindrone 0.35 mg equivalent. Regional availability can vary, and independent pharmacies often carry different brands than major chains.
If you're struggling to find Heather 28 Day in stock, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to identify which ones have it in stock, saving you hours on hold. Results are texted to you after medfinder completes the calls.
Heather 28 Day (norethindrone 0.35 mg) is not a controlled substance, so there are no DEA scheduling restrictions on who can prescribe it. Any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority can write for it, including:
Telehealth platforms such as Nurx, Pandia Health, and Planned Parenthood Direct can prescribe norethindrone online in most states, with same-day or next-day prescriptions and optional home delivery. No annual exam is required to obtain a contraceptive prescription.
No. Heather 28 Day (norethindrone 0.35 mg) is not a controlled substance and is not assigned a DEA schedule. It is a standard prescription medication that can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider — including OB/GYNs, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse midwives — without special DEA registration or prescribing restrictions.
There are no controlled substance limitations on how the prescription is transmitted (electronic, fax, oral, or written are all permitted), no quantity limits tied to scheduling, and no restrictions on refills beyond standard prescription expiration rules. In many states, pharmacists are also authorized to prescribe norethindrone directly without a separate prescriber visit.
Menstrual irregularity is the most frequently reported side effect of norethindrone 0.35 mg. Other common side effects include:
Serious side effects requiring immediate medical attention:
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Camila (28 Day)
Norethindrone 0.35 mg — therapeutically identical to Heather; widely available at most pharmacies.
Errin (28 Day)
Norethindrone 0.35 mg — same active ingredient and dose as Heather; one of the most commonly stocked norethindrone brands.
Slynd (drospirenone 4 mg)
A different progestin-only pill with a 24-hour missed-pill window — more forgiving than norethindrone's 3-hour window. Requires a new prescription; generally more expensive.
Opill (norgestrel 0.075 mg)
The only FDA-approved over-the-counter progestin-only birth control pill in the US. Available without a prescription for approximately $19.99/month.
Prefer Heather 28 Day? We can find it.
Rifampin / Rifabutin / Rifapentine
majorMajor enzyme inducers (CYP3A4) that significantly reduce norethindrone blood levels, potentially rendering the pill ineffective as contraception. These are primarily used to treat tuberculosis.
St. John's Wort
majorHerbal supplement that induces CYP3A4 metabolism, reducing norethindrone effectiveness. Well-documented interaction; do not combine with Heather 28 Day without additional contraception.
Phenytoin / Carbamazepine / Barbiturates (anticonvulsants)
majorEnzyme-inducing anticonvulsants that accelerate norethindrone metabolism and reduce contraceptive effectiveness. Consider non-hormonal contraception for patients on these medications.
Felbamate / Oxcarbazepine / Topiramate
moderateAdditional enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants that may reduce norethindrone effectiveness at higher doses.
Anti-HIV protease inhibitors / NNRTIs
moderateHIV medications can have variable interactions with norethindrone — some increase and some decrease drug levels. Consult with HIV specialist for contraceptive planning.
Griseofulvin
moderateAntifungal medication that may reduce hormonal contraceptive effectiveness. Use additional contraception during treatment and for one month after stopping.
Grapefruit juice
minorMay slightly increase norethindrone plasma concentrations via CYP3A4 inhibition. Clinical significance at 0.35 mg dose is unclear; mention to prescriber if consumed regularly.
Heather 28 Day (norethindrone 0.35 mg) is a well-established, highly effective estrogen-free oral contraceptive that has been in use for decades. Its key advantages are its estrogen-free formulation — making it suitable for a wide range of patients including those who are breastfeeding, smokers over 35, and those with conditions that contraindicate estrogen — and its low cost, with generic versions available for as little as $7/month with coupons.
The main practical consideration with Heather 28 Day is timing — the 3-hour missed-pill window requires a higher degree of daily consistency than combination pills. The most common challenge patients report is pharmacy availability, which is typically a stocking issue rather than a true shortage. Having a prescription that allows any norethindrone 0.35 mg brand greatly reduces access barriers.
If you are having trouble finding Heather 28 Day at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can call pharmacies on your behalf to locate available stock and text you the results — saving you time and reducing the risk of a gap in contraceptive coverage.
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Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Heather 28 Day. 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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