Comprehensive medication guide to Viorele 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 insurance plans under the preventive care mandate; Tier 1–2 on most formularies. If Viorele is not covered, equivalent generics (Kariva, Azurette) typically are.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$60–$122 retail for a 28-day pack; as low as $31 with a GoodRx coupon or $9–$10 with a SingleCare coupon at participating pharmacies for a 30-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
80/100
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Viorele 28 Day is a combination oral contraceptive (COC) pill manufactured by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inc. It contains two synthetic female hormones — desogestrel (0.15 mg), a third-generation progestin, and ethinyl estradiol (0.02 mg), a synthetic estrogen — taken together daily to prevent pregnancy. Each 28-day blister pack follows a biphasic schedule: 21 active hormone combination tablets, 2 inactive placebo tablets, and 5 low-dose estrogen-only tablets (0.01 mg ethinyl estradiol).
Viorele is a generic equivalent of the discontinued brand-name oral contraceptive Mircette. Multiple other therapeutically equivalent generics exist, including Kariva, Azurette, Pimtrea, Volnea, Enskyce, Isibloom, Bekyree, Simliya, and Kimidess. All contain the same active ingredients at identical doses in the same biphasic schedule.
Viorele is FDA-approved for the prevention of pregnancy. It is also used off-label for acne treatment, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) management, dysmenorrhea (painful periods), and heavy menstrual bleeding. It is not a controlled substance and does not require special DEA authorization to prescribe.
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Viorele prevents pregnancy primarily by suppressing ovulation. The synthetic hormones desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol suppress the pituitary gland's release of gonadotropins — FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) — which are necessary for the ovary to release an egg. Without these hormonal signals, ovulation does not occur.
As secondary mechanisms, Viorele thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from penetrating into the uterus, and alters the endometrial lining to reduce the likelihood of implantation if fertilization were to occur. Desogestrel is rapidly metabolized to its active form etonogestrel, which has high progestational activity with minimal androgenic effects — making Viorele well-tolerated for patients who are sensitive to androgen-related side effects such as acne.
The biphasic design provides stable hormone delivery: 21 days of combined desogestrel/estrogen suppression, then a 2-day hormone-free window with placebo pills, followed by 5 days of low-dose estrogen (0.01 mg) to minimize withdrawal bleeding severity while maintaining cycle regularity.
0.15 mg desogestrel / 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol — tablet (white, active)
21 active combination tablets taken Days 1–21
Placebo (inert) — tablet (green, inactive)
2 placebo tablets taken Days 22–23
0.01 mg ethinyl estradiol — tablet (light yellow, active)
5 low-dose estrogen tablets taken Days 24–28
Viorele 28 Day is generally available in 2026 and is not currently listed on the FDA's official drug shortage database. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals continues to manufacture and distribute this product. However, as a low-margin generic drug, Viorele is subject to localized stock-outs at individual pharmacies due to ordering cycles, regional distribution variability, and occasional demand spikes.
If your pharmacy is out of Viorele, try nearby locations — or use medfinder to search pharmacies near you without making multiple phone calls. medfinder contacts local pharmacies on your behalf and texts you the results.
Viorele has multiple AB-rated equivalents (Kariva, Azurette, Pimtrea, Volnea) that can be dispensed if Viorele itself is unavailable. These contain identical active ingredients and schedules, making substitution straightforward with prescriber authorization.
Viorele 28 Day is not a controlled substance and carries no DEA scheduling restrictions. Any licensed prescriber with legal prescribing authority can prescribe Viorele without special certification or DEA registration requirements beyond a standard medical license.
OB/GYNs (Obstetricians/Gynecologists)
Primary care physicians (PCPs) — family medicine and internal medicine
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs)
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs)
Adolescent medicine specialists and women's health specialists
Viorele is available through telehealth platforms including Nurx and Pandia Health, where licensed providers can issue prescriptions after an online consultation. Prescriptions can be sent to local pharmacies for same-day pickup or shipped directly to the patient's home.
No. Viorele 28 Day is not a controlled substance and carries no DEA schedule classification. It does not require a DEA registration number on the prescription, cannot be called in to pharmacies under controlled substance rules, and can be prescribed with multiple refills at the discretion of the provider.
Many states have passed laws requiring insurers to dispense up to a 12-month supply of contraceptives at once. Patients and providers can take advantage of this to reduce the frequency of refills and the risk of encountering pharmacy stock-outs. Any licensed prescriber — including NPs, PAs, and midwives — can prescribe Viorele without special restrictions.
Most patients tolerate Viorele well. Common side effects (usually improve after 2–3 cycles):
Nausea (take with food or at bedtime to reduce)
Breast tenderness or swelling
Breakthrough bleeding or spotting (especially in first 3 months)
Headache
Mild weight changes (typically water retention)
Mood changes or decreased libido
Serious side effects (seek emergency care immediately):
Blood clots (DVT, pulmonary embolism, stroke) — sudden leg pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, vision changes
Heart attack — chest pain, arm/jaw pain, sweating
Liver problems — jaundice, upper right abdominal pain, dark urine
Boxed Warning: Cigarette smoking increases risk of serious cardiovascular events. Women over 35 who smoke should not use combined oral contraceptives.
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Kariva 28 Day
Identical desogestrel 0.15 mg / ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg biphasic formulation. Different manufacturer. Therapeutically equivalent to Viorele.
Azurette 28 Day
Same biphasic desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol formulation as Viorele. AB-rated equivalent.
Pimtrea 28 Day
Identical active ingredients and biphasic schedule to Viorele. Often stocked at pharmacies where Viorele is unavailable.
Sprintec 28 Day
Monophasic oral contraceptive with norgestimate 0.25 mg / ethinyl estradiol 35 mcg. Different progestin and dose; widely stocked at most pharmacies.
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Rifampin
majorPotent CYP inducer; significantly reduces Viorele effectiveness. Use backup contraception during therapy and for 6 weeks after stopping rifampin.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
majorCYP inducer; reduces Viorele contraceptive effectiveness. Use backup contraception.
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
majorCYP inducer; reduces Viorele effectiveness. Coordinate with neurologist.
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
majorViorele reduces lamotrigine blood levels by up to 50%, risking breakthrough seizures. Does not reduce contraceptive effectiveness. Coordinate with neurologist before starting or stopping Viorele.
St. John's Wort
moderateHerbal CYP inducer; may reduce Viorele effectiveness. Breakthrough bleeding and unintended pregnancies reported. Avoid or use backup contraception.
Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (Viekira Pak)
majorContraindicated with Viorele due to risk of ALT elevations.
Efavirenz / HIV antiretrovirals
majorVarious antiretrovirals may decrease or increase Viorele hormone levels. Consult HIV pharmacist for specific agents.
Viorele 28 Day is a well-established, low-dose biphasic oral contraceptive with a strong safety and efficacy profile. Its desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol formulation provides reliable pregnancy prevention with minimal androgenic side effects, making it a popular choice for patients who need a low-estrogen pill with good cycle control. It is also used off-label for acne, PCOS, and dysmenorrhea management.
Pricing is highly variable — retail cash prices can reach $122/pack, but insurance typically covers it at $0 under the ACA, and discount cards can reduce cash prices to as low as $9–$31. Multiple AB-rated equivalent generics are available, making substitution easy if Viorele is temporarily out of stock at your pharmacy.
If you are having trouble locating Viorele at your local pharmacy, medfinder can help. We call pharmacies near you on your behalf to find which ones have your medication in stock, and text you the results.
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