Comprehensive medication guide to Tri-Sprintec 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 commercial insurance plans under the ACA contraceptive mandate; Medicaid covers it in all states at $0–$3 copay. No prior authorization typically required.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$55–$77 retail for a 28-day pack; as low as $17.40 with a GoodRx coupon or $5.93 with SingleCare at participating pharmacies for a 28-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
88/100
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Tri-Sprintec 28 Day is a combination oral contraceptive containing two synthetic hormones: norgestimate (a third-generation progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (a synthetic estrogen). It is a generic equivalent of Ortho Tri-Cyclen, which was discontinued by Janssen Pharmaceuticals after multiple generics entered the market.
Tri-Sprintec is classified as a triphasic oral contraceptive — meaning each 28-day pack contains three different hormone doses across the first 21 active tablets, designed to mimic natural hormonal variation. It has two FDA-approved indications: contraception to prevent pregnancy, and treatment of moderate acne vulgaris in females 15 years and older who also desire oral contraception.
AB-rated generic equivalents that contain the same active ingredients at the same triphasic doses include Tri-Estarylla, Tri-Linyah, Tri-Mili, Tri-Nymyo, Tri-Previfem, and Tri-VyLibra. As a generic medication, Tri-Sprintec is widely available from multiple manufacturers and is not a controlled substance.
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Tri-Sprintec 28 Day works through three complementary mechanisms. The primary mechanism is suppression of ovulation: the hormones norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol suppress the brain's release of FSH and LH, preventing the mid-cycle LH surge that triggers ovulation. No ovulation means no egg available for fertilization.
As secondary mechanisms, norgestimate thickens cervical mucus to impede sperm penetration, and the combination of hormones thins the uterine lining to reduce the likelihood of implantation. The three-phase hormone structure (0.18 mg → 0.215 mg → 0.25 mg norgestimate across 21 days) provides effective contraception while minimizing the total progestin dose per cycle.
For acne treatment, ethinyl estradiol increases sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which binds free testosterone and reduces androgen-stimulated oil production in sebaceous glands. This leads to fewer clogged pores and reduced acne lesion counts. In clinical trials, Tri-Sprintec produced a 42% reduction in total lesion count over 6 months.
0.18 mg / 0.035 mg — tablet (gray, Phase 1)
7 gray tablets — Days 1–7
0.215 mg / 0.035 mg — tablet (light blue, Phase 2)
7 light blue tablets — Days 8–14
0.25 mg / 0.035 mg — tablet (blue, Phase 3)
7 blue tablets — Days 15–21
Placebo — tablet (white)
7 white inert tablets — Days 22–28
Tri-Sprintec 28 Day is generally widely available and not on the FDA's current drug shortage list as of 2026. Six or more manufacturers produce AB-rated generic versions, and national supply is adequate. However, individual patients can encounter difficulty filling their prescriptions due to pharmacy-level stockouts, formulary specificity, or naming confusion stemming from the discontinuation of the original brand Ortho Tri-Cyclen.
When one pharmacy is out of Tri-Sprintec, equivalent generics (Tri-Estarylla, Tri-Linyah, Tri-Mili, Tri-Nymyo, or Tri-VyLibra) may be available at the same or nearby pharmacies. These are therapeutically identical and can be substituted without a new prescription in most states. medfinder has a findability score of 88 out of 100 for this medication class.
If you're having trouble filling your prescription, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones have your medication in stock and texts you the results — saving you the time of calling pharmacies yourself.
Tri-Sprintec 28 Day is not a controlled substance and requires no special DEA registration or REMS program enrollment. Any licensed prescriber with standard prescriptive authority can write a prescription for it. There are no specialty prescribing restrictions.
OB/GYNs (Obstetricians/Gynecologists) — Most common prescribers; specialize in reproductive health and contraception
Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) — Family medicine and internal medicine doctors routinely prescribe oral contraceptives
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) — Full prescriptive authority in most states; commonly prescribe oral contraceptives
Physician Assistants (PAs) — Can prescribe contraceptives in all states
Dermatologists — Commonly prescribe for hormonal acne management in patients who also desire contraception
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) — Routinely provide reproductive health care including contraceptive prescriptions
Telehealth is widely available for Tri-Sprintec prescriptions. Services such as Nurx, Pandia Health, The Pill Club, Hims & Hers, and Planned Parenthood Direct can prescribe and ship norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol birth control without an in-person visit in most states. Telehealth consultations are often same-day, making it a convenient option for patients who need a new prescription quickly or who lack a local OB/GYN.
No. Tri-Sprintec 28 Day is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. It does not require special DEA registration to prescribe, and there are no federal refill restrictions based on controlled substance scheduling. Pharmacists may dispense it without the restrictions that apply to Schedule II–V medications.
Tri-Sprintec 28 Day does require a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider in all U.S. states. It cannot be purchased over the counter at pharmacies (unlike some emergency contraceptives). A prescription can be obtained from any licensed prescriber including OB/GYNs, PCPs, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or through telehealth services.
Most side effects are mild and improve during the first 1–3 months of use. Common side effects include:
Breakthrough bleeding or spotting (especially first 1–3 months)
Nausea (reduced by taking with food or at bedtime)
Headache
Breast tenderness
Mood changes or irritability
Decreased libido
Bloating or mild weight changes
Signs of blood clot: leg pain/swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden vision loss
Signs of stroke: sudden numbness/weakness, severe headache, slurred speech
Heart attack symptoms: chest pain/pressure, pain radiating to jaw or shoulder
Liver problems: jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), severe upper stomach pain, dark urine
Severe depression or suicidal thoughts
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Tri-Lo-Sprintec 28 Day
Same triphasic norgestimate pattern with lower estrogen (25 mcg EE vs 35 mcg). Good for estrogen-sensitive patients. Not FDA-approved for acne.
Sprintec 28 Day (monophasic)
Same active ingredients (norgestimate 0.25 mg / EE 0.035 mg) at a fixed dose. Simplest clinical switch; widely available. Not FDA-approved for acne.
Tri-Estarylla 28 Day
AB-rated therapeutic equivalent to Tri-Sprintec; identical norgestimate/EE triphasic doses. Can be substituted without a new prescription.
Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol (Lutera, Aviane)
Different progestin (levonorgestrel) with similar contraceptive effectiveness. Slightly higher androgenicity than norgestimate; requires new prescription.
Prefer Tri-Sprintec 28 Day? We can find it.
Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (Technivie, Viekira Pak)
majorAbsolutely contraindicated — causes significant ALT elevation. Discontinue Tri-Sprintec before starting this HCV regimen.
Rifampicin (Rifampin)
majorStrong CYP3A4 inducer; dramatically reduces contraceptive hormone levels. Use non-hormonal contraception during and 28 days after use.
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
moderateCYP3A4 inducer; reduces EE and norgestimate levels. Use backup contraception.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
moderateStrong CYP3A4 inducer; reduces contraceptive effectiveness significantly.
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
moderateTri-Sprintec significantly increases lamotrigine metabolism, lowering levels and potentially affecting seizure control. Monitor and adjust dose.
St. John's Wort
moderateHerbal CYP3A4 inducer; reduces contraceptive hormone levels. Avoid concurrent use or use backup contraception.
Topiramate (Topamax)
moderateAt doses ≥200 mg/day, induces CYP3A4 and reduces EE levels; use backup contraception.
Barbiturates (phenobarbital)
moderateEnzyme inducers that reduce COC effectiveness; use backup contraception.
Tri-Sprintec 28 Day is a safe, effective, and affordable oral contraceptive with a decades-long track record. As a generic medication available from multiple manufacturers, it offers one of the best combinations of accessibility and cost-effectiveness among combination oral contraceptives. Most insured patients can obtain it at $0 under the ACA contraceptive mandate, and uninsured patients can access significant savings through GoodRx, SingleCare, and other programs.
The most common challenge is not cost or clinical suitability — it's pharmacy-level availability. Individual pharmacies occasionally run out of their specific supply. When this happens, asking for any AB-rated equivalent (Tri-Estarylla, Tri-Linyah, Tri-Mili, Tri-Nymyo, or Tri-VyLibra) usually resolves the issue without a new prescription.
If you're struggling to locate Tri-Sprintec 28 Day at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can search on your behalf — calling pharmacies in your area to find which ones have your medication ready to fill, then texting you the results.
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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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