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Brand name
Estrogen Type
Dose (mg)
Progestin Type
Dose (mg)
Cost (per month)

Alesse
EE
20
LV
0.10
$12.17

Minestrin 1/20
EE
20
NEA
1
$11.68

Min-Ovral
EE
30
LV
0.15
$11.28

Min-Ovral 28
EE
30
LV
0.15
$11.28

Marvelon
EE
30
DG
0.15
$11.73

Ortho-Cept
EE
30
DG
0.15
$12.59

Loestrin 1.5/30
EE
30
NEA
1.5
$11.68

Demulen 30
EE
30
ED
2
$11.30

Triphasil 21
EE
30/40/30
LV
0.05/0.075/0.125
$11.33

Triphasil 28
EE
30/40/30
LV
0.05/0.075/0.125
$11.33

Triquilar
EE
30/40/30
LV
0.05/0.075/0.125
$10.78

Cyclen
EE
35
NGE
0.25
$11.78

Ortho 0.5/35
EE
35
NE
0.5
$11.00

Brevicon 0.5/35
EE
35
NE
0.5
$10.36

Select 1/35
EE
35
NE
1
$10.97

Ortho 1/35
EE
35
NE
1
$10.78

Brevicon 1/35
EE
35
NE
1
$10.36

Ortho 10/11
EE
35
NE
0.5/1
$11.00

Ortho 7/7/7
EE
35
NE
0.5/0.75/1
$10.29

Synphasic
EE
35
NE
0.5/1/0.5
$10.22

Tri-Cyclen
EE
35
NGE
0.180/0.215/0.250
$10.52

Ovral 21
EE
50
NG
0.25
$11.69

Ovral 28
EE
50
NG
0.25
$11.69

Norinyl 1/50
MS
50
NE
1
$10.88

Demulen 50
EE
50
ED
1
$12.64

Ortho-Novum 1/50
MS
50
NE
1
$10.78

Note: DG = desogestrel, ED = ethynodiol diacetate, EE = ethinyl estradiol,

LV = levonorgestrel, MS = mestranol, NE = norethindrone,

NEA = norethindrone acetate, NG = norgestrel, NGE= norgestimate.

Additional instructions and notes

-Oral contraceptives containing 20-30 µg of estrogen are as effective as those with 35 or 50 µg. No advantage of biphasic or triphasic contraceptives has been demonstrated.

-Oral contraceptives containing desogestrel probably carry a small risk of venous thromboembolism beyond that attributable to those containing levonorgestrel. There are insufficient data to draw conclusions with regard to combined oral contraceptives containing norgestimate. The suggestion that desogestrel-containing contraceptives may carry a lower risk of myocardial infarction compared with those containing levonorgestrel remains to be substantiated.

-Use a combination product with a higher estrogen content if breakthrough bleeding occurs in the early part of the cycle3 or if contraceptive failure occurred previously while patient was using an oral contraceptive appropriately.

-If breakthrough bleeding occurs in the mid-to-late part of cycle, use a combination product with a greater endometrial activity, i.e., by changing to a product with a lower estrogen content, one with a higher dose of the same progestin or one with a more potent progestin.

-With failure of withdrawal bleeding between cycles, change to a combination product with greater endometrial activity.

-Oral contraceptives are recommended to be started on day 1 of the menstrual cycle, day 5 of the cycle or on the first Sunday following the start of menses, depending on the product (refer to product monograph). Other methods of contraception should also be used during the initial 2 to 3 weeks.

-Combination products using the newer progestins (desogestrel, norgestimate) cause less acne, hirsuitism and weight gain.

-Medications, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone and rifampin, that may induce hepatic microsomal enzymes may reduce the bioavailability of oral steroids. Patients using these may have to be started with an oral contraceptive with higher estrogen content, 50 µg for example.

-Rifampin is the only antibiotic that has been shown to reduce plasma estrogen levels and oral contraceptives should not be relied on for birth control while this medication is being used. The following antibiotics have been associated with oral contraceptive failure in 3 or more case reports: ampicillin, amoxicillin, metronidazole and tetracycline. A second form of contraception is not necessary for most patients, but should be offered if the patient requests it following a discussion of the risks. The following antibiotics have been associated with oral contraceptive failure in at least 1 case report: cephalexin, clindamycin, dapsone, erythromycin, griseofulvin, isoniazid, phenoxymethylpenicillin, telampicillin and trimethoprim. A second form of contraception is not necessary in patients using these medications.

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