Comprehensive medication guide to Jencycla 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 most ACA-compliant commercial and marketplace plans (ACA preventive care mandate); $0–$5 for most Medicaid beneficiaries; prior authorization required for approximately 10% of Medicaid patients.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$86–$115 retail for one 28-tablet pack; as low as $6.94–$14.88 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for a 30-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
82/100
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Jencycla 28 Day is a progestin-only oral contraceptive (POP), commonly called the "mini-pill," manufactured by Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Each green tablet contains 0.35 mg of norethindrone — a synthetic progestin that is a close relative of the naturally occurring hormone progesterone.
Unlike combination birth control pills, Jencycla contains no estrogen. All 28 tablets in each pack are active — there are no placebo or inactive pills. This continuous dosing schedule is one of the key features that distinguishes the mini-pill from combination oral contraceptives.
Jencycla is FDA-approved for the prevention of pregnancy and is one of more than a dozen therapeutically equivalent brand-name generics of norethindrone 0.35 mg, including Camila, Errin, Heather, Nora-Be, Jolivette, Lyza, Sharobel, and others.
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Jencycla prevents pregnancy through multiple complementary mechanisms. The most consistent and reliable effect is the thickening of cervical mucus. Under the influence of norethindrone, cervical mucus becomes thick and viscous throughout the cycle, creating a physical barrier that prevents sperm from entering the uterus and reaching an egg.
Jencycla also suppresses ovulation in approximately 50% of users by reducing midcycle LH and FSH peaks. Additionally, norethindrone alters the endometrium (uterine lining), making it thin and less receptive to implantation, and slows the movement of eggs through the fallopian tubes.
Norethindrone is rapidly absorbed and reaches peak blood levels approximately 2 hours after ingestion. By 24 hours, levels are near baseline — this pharmacokinetic profile is the reason the strict 3-hour dosing window is required for effective contraception.
0.35 mg — tablet
All 28 tablets are active (no placebo pills). Green, round, flat-face, beveled-edge tablet debossed with 'O23' on one side and 'LU' on the other.
Jencycla 28 Day is generally available at pharmacies across the United States and is not listed in an active FDA drug shortage as of 2026. The generic active ingredient, norethindrone 0.35 mg, is produced by multiple manufacturers and distributed under many brand names, giving the class good overall supply resilience.
However, individual pharmacies stock specific norethindrone brands based on supplier contracts, and Jencycla may not be the preferred brand at every location. Some patients report difficulty finding Jencycla specifically, even when other norethindrone brands (Camila, Errin, Heather) are available nearby. Asking for any norethindrone 0.35 mg brand widens your options significantly.
If you're struggling to find Jencycla in stock, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones can fill your prescription, then texts you the results — no hold music, no repeated calls.
Because Jencycla 28 Day is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider with prescriptive authority. No DEA registration or special waiver is required. Access has been expanded significantly through telehealth platforms.
OB/GYNs (obstetricians and gynecologists)
Primary care physicians (family medicine and internal medicine)
Nurse practitioners (NPs)
Physician assistants (PAs)
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs)
Reproductive health clinics (Planned Parenthood, Title X clinics)
Jencycla can be prescribed via telehealth in all 50 states. Many women's health telehealth platforms can complete an evaluation and send a prescription to your preferred pharmacy the same day, without an in-person office visit.
No. Jencycla 28 Day (norethindrone 0.35 mg) is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule. It does not require any special DEA registration or controlled substance prescription requirements.
This means Jencycla can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider with prescriptive authority — including OB/GYNs, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse-midwives. It can also be prescribed via telehealth in all 50 states without additional restrictions. Refills can be obtained without the limitations that apply to Schedule II-V controlled substances.
The most frequently reported side effects of Jencycla 28 Day include:
Irregular menstrual bleeding or spotting (most common)
Headache
Breast tenderness or pain
Nausea
Dizziness
Genital discharge
Serious side effects (seek immediate care):
Sudden severe pelvic or abdominal pain (possible ectopic pregnancy)
New or worsening severe migraines with neurological symptoms
Signs of liver problems: jaundice, dark urine, severe upper abdominal pain
New breast lump or changes
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Slynd (drospirenone 4 mg)
Newer progestin-only pill with a 24-hour missed-pill window (vs. 3 hours for norethindrone). Consistently suppresses ovulation and has anti-androgenic properties. Significantly more expensive (~$150-250/month vs. under $15 for norethindrone with coupons).
Camila / Errin / Heather (norethindrone 0.35 mg)
AB-rated generic equivalents of Jencycla with the same active ingredient, dose, and effectiveness. Pharmacists can substitute these for Jencycla without a new prescription. Prices and availability may vary between brands.
Opill (norgestrel 0.075 mg)
First FDA-approved over-the-counter birth control pill. No prescription needed. Contains a different progestin (norgestrel) and also has a 3-hour timing window. Widely available at pharmacies and retailers without a prescription.
Nexplanon (etonogestrel implant)
Subdermal progestin implant lasting 3 years. Over 99% effective. Eliminates daily pill timing and pharmacy availability concerns. Requires an office visit for insertion and removal.
Hormonal IUD (Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, Skyla)
Intrauterine device releasing local levonorgestrel for 5-8 years depending on device. Highly effective, minimal systemic hormone exposure, and eliminates daily dosing and pharmacy concerns.
Prefer Jencycla 28 Day? We can find it.
Rifampin / Rifabutin
majorPotent CYP3A4 inducers that significantly reduce norethindrone blood levels, increasing the risk of contraceptive failure and breakthrough bleeding. Use backup contraception during and for 28 days after use.
Phenytoin / Carbamazepine / Barbiturates
majorAnticonvulsants that induce CYP3A4 and reduce norethindrone efficacy. Backup contraception required during use and for 28 days after discontinuation.
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
majorHerbal CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein inducer that can significantly reduce norethindrone levels, leading to breakthrough bleeding and potential contraceptive failure. Avoid concurrent use.
Bosentan (Tracleer)
majorCYP3A4 inducer used for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Concurrent use results in significantly decreased contraceptive hormone concentrations. Use alternative or additional contraception.
Ulipristal acetate (ella)
moderateEmergency contraceptive that reduces the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives when used concurrently. Wait at least 5 days after ulipristal before resuming Jencycla and use backup contraception until next period.
Fluconazole / Itraconazole / Ketoconazole
minorCYP3A4 inhibitors that may increase norethindrone blood levels. Generally does not reduce effectiveness but may increase progestin-related side effects.
Efavirenz / HIV antiretrovirals
majorSome HIV medications are CYP3A4 inducers that can reduce norethindrone efficacy. Consult HIV specialist and OB/GYN regarding appropriate contraception method.
Jencycla 28 Day is a well-established, affordable, and widely prescribed progestin-only contraceptive that is particularly valuable for women who cannot use estrogen-containing pills. It is not a controlled substance, can be prescribed via telehealth, and is covered at $0 copay under most ACA-compliant insurance plans.
The most important thing to know about Jencycla is the strict 3-hour timing rule: missing a dose by more than 3 hours requires backup contraception for the next 48 hours. For best results, take your pill at exactly the same time each day and refill your prescription 5-7 days before you run out.
If you're having trouble finding Jencycla in stock at your local pharmacy, medfinder can help you locate a pharmacy near you that can fill your prescription — saving you the time and frustration of calling each location yourself.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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