Comprehensive medication guide to Low-Ogestrel 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 under most ACA-compliant plans (contraceptive mandate); Tier 1–2 on most formularies. Insurance may specify a preferred generic (Cryselle, Elinest, or Turqoz).
Estimated Cash Pricing
$43–$74 retail for a 28-tablet pack; as low as $11.88–$26.49 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for a 30-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
82/100
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Low-Ogestrel 28 Day is a combination oral contraceptive (birth control pill) containing two synthetic hormones: norgestrel (0.3 mg) and ethinyl estradiol (0.03 mg). It is taken daily to prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and thinning the uterine lining.
Each 28-day pack contains 21 white active hormone tablets and 7 peach placebo tablets. It is a monophasic pill — every active tablet delivers the same dose of hormones. Low-Ogestrel is a generic version of the discontinued brand Lo-Ovral, manufactured by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories.
FDA-approved bioequivalent generics include Cryselle, Elinest, and Turqoz — all of which contain the same active ingredients at the same doses and are interchangeable with Low-Ogestrel.
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Low-Ogestrel prevents pregnancy through three complementary mechanisms. The primary mechanism is ovulation suppression: the synthetic hormones signal the brain to stop releasing FSH and LH, preventing the mid-cycle LH surge that triggers egg release. Without ovulation, fertilization cannot occur.
The second mechanism is cervical mucus thickening caused by norgestrel. Thicker mucus at the cervical opening is much harder for sperm to penetrate, reducing the chance sperm reach an egg even if ovulation were to partially occur.
The third mechanism involves endometrial thinning — Low-Ogestrel keeps the uterine lining thinner than normal, making it less hospitable to implantation as an additional safeguard.
0.3 mg norgestrel / 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol — tablet
21 white active tablets + 7 peach placebo tablets per 28-day pack. One tablet taken orally once daily.
Low-Ogestrel 28 Day is generally available at major retail pharmacies and does not appear on the FDA's Drug Shortages Database as of 2026. However, individual pharmacies may not stock it — they may instead carry Cryselle, Elinest, or Turqoz (identical bioequivalents) as their preferred norgestrel/EE generic. Finding the specific brand name "Low-Ogestrel" can occasionally require calling multiple locations.
The multiple competing generics in this formulation class — Low-Ogestrel, Cryselle, Elinest, and Turqoz — actually buffer against true national shortages. If one manufacturer has supply issues, the others typically absorb demand. The findability score of 82 reflects generally good availability with occasional localized gaps.
If you're having trouble finding Low-Ogestrel at your pharmacy, medfinder can search pharmacies near you and text you which ones have it in stock — saving you the time of calling around yourself.
Low-Ogestrel is not a controlled substance, so there are no DEA scheduling requirements limiting who can prescribe it. Any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority can write a prescription for Low-Ogestrel 28 Day.
OB-GYNs (Obstetricians/Gynecologists) — Most common prescribers; also perform annual well-woman exams
Primary Care Physicians / Family Medicine Physicians — Routinely prescribe contraceptives as part of preventive care
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) — Have full prescribing authority in most states
Physician Assistants (PAs) — Can prescribe in most practice settings
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) — Frequently prescribe as part of comprehensive women's health care
Pharmacists (select states) — In California, Colorado, Hawaii, and several other states, pharmacists can prescribe hormonal contraceptives directly
Telehealth platforms including Nurx, Pandia Health, and Planned Parenthood Direct offer online birth control consultations and can prescribe Low-Ogestrel or a bioequivalent, with delivery to your home or a pharmacy of your choice.
No. Low-Ogestrel is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. It does not require any DEA-specific prescription requirements, quantity limitations, or refill restrictions associated with controlled substances.
Low-Ogestrel does require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider — it is not available over the counter in the United States. Any provider with prescribing authority (MD, DO, NP, PA, CNM, and pharmacists in states with pharmacist prescribing authority) can prescribe it. There are no special DEA requirements for prescribing or dispensing this medication.
The following side effects are commonly reported, particularly during the first 1-3 months:
Nausea or vomiting (reduce by taking with food or at bedtime)
Breast tenderness or enlargement
Headaches
Irregular spotting or breakthrough bleeding
Acne (norgestrel has mild androgenic activity)
Weight or appetite changes
Decreased libido
Mood changes
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): leg pain, swelling, warmth
Pulmonary embolism: sudden shortness of breath, chest pain
Stroke: sudden facial weakness, vision changes, severe headache
Heart attack: chest pain, shortness of breath, jaw pain
Severe liver problems: jaundice, severe abdominal pain
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Cryselle 28
Identical generic (norgestrel 0.3 mg / EE 0.03 mg); FDA-approved bioequivalent. Most widely available equivalent.
Elinest (28 Day)
Identical generic with same active ingredients as Low-Ogestrel. Another branded generic of Lo-Ovral.
Turqoz (28 Day)
Newer branded generic; same norgestrel 0.3 mg / EE 0.03 mg formulation.
Levora
Levonorgestrel 0.15 mg / EE 0.03 mg. Same estrogen dose; levonorgestrel is the active form of norgestrel. Requires new prescription.
Sprintec
Norgestimate 0.25 mg / EE 0.035 mg. Different progestin, slightly higher estrogen. FDA-approved for acne in addition to contraception.
Prefer Low-Ogestrel 28 Day? We can find it.
Rifampin (Rifadin)
majorMajor CYP3A4 enzyme inducer; dramatically reduces contraceptive hormone levels. Use backup contraception during rifampin therapy and for 28 days after stopping.
St. John's Wort
majorHerbal CYP3A4 inducer that reduces ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel levels, potentially causing breakthrough ovulation. Avoid combination.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
majorAnti-seizure CYP3A4 inducer; reduces contraceptive efficacy. Use backup contraception.
Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir (Viekira Pak)
majorContraindicated. Causes significant ALT elevations when combined with ethinyl estradiol. Must stop Low-Ogestrel before starting this hepatitis C regimen.
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
majorLow-Ogestrel can reduce lamotrigine blood levels by up to 50%, potentially affecting seizure control. Dose adjustment may be needed; inform neurologist.
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
majorCYP3A4 inducer; decreases contraceptive hormone levels. Use backup contraception.
HIV antiretrovirals (ritonavir, efavirenz)
moderateVariable interaction depending on specific agent; some reduce, some increase hormone levels. Review with HIV specialist.
Theophylline
moderateEstrogens inhibit theophylline metabolism, increasing theophylline levels. Monitor for toxicity.
Cyclosporine
moderateEstrogens may increase cyclosporine blood levels. Monitor levels when starting or stopping Low-Ogestrel.
Low-Ogestrel 28 Day is a well-established, FDA-approved combination oral contraceptive with a long track record of safety and effectiveness. With typical use, approximately 1 in 100 people become pregnant per year. With perfect use, the failure rate is below 1%. It is not a controlled substance, is available at most major pharmacies, and is covered at no cost under most ACA-compliant insurance plans.
For patients having trouble finding Low-Ogestrel at their local pharmacy, the equivalent generics Cryselle, Elinest, and Turqoz contain the exact same active ingredients and can be substituted without any loss of contraceptive protection. Most pharmacies stock at least one of these brands.
If you're running low on Low-Ogestrel and need to find a pharmacy that has it in stock, medfinder contacts pharmacies near you on your behalf and texts you which ones can fill your prescription — so you spend your time picking it up, not tracking it down.
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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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