A Guide to Birth Control Pill Brands and Generic Names

Posted by AweSamo March 13, 2026
A Guide to Birth Control Pill Brands and Generic Names

Key Takeaways

  • Many birth control pills come in either combination formulas or progestin-only formulas.
  • Combination pills can help with painful periods, PMS, acne, and more.
  • Combination pills come in different types, like low-dose and extended-cycle pills.

When selecting birth control pills, you can choose from combination pills with both estrogen and progestin, or progestin-only pills, all of which come with various brand and generic options. This diversity allows you to find a pill that best suits your reproductive needs and lifestyle.

Getty Images / Cris Cantón


How Combination Birth Control Pills Work

Combination birth control pills contain both estrogen and a progestin. They work by inhibiting reproductive hormone production, preventing ovulation, and thus avoiding pregnancy.

These pills may also change the endometrial lining, thicken cervical mucus, affect fertilization, modify egg transport, or even prevent implantation. Beyond contraception, they can help with:

They also aid in regulating menstruation in those with polycystic ovary syndrome and treat endometriosis.

There are many formulations of COCs available, including:

  • Monophasic: These medications have the same dose of estrogen and progestin for the 21 to 24 active days.
  • Biphasic: These medications mimic the natural fluctuations of estrogen and progestin during a menstrual cycle by providing two different doses during the cycle.
  • Triphasic: These medications are designed to imitate the natural estrogen and progestin fluctuations that happen during a menstrual cycle by introducing three different doses throughout the cycle.
  • Quadriphasic: These medications are designed to imitate the natural estrogen and progestin fluctuations that happen during a menstrual cycle by introducing four different doses throughout the cycle.

Pills with “Fe” in their name contain iron, while those with “Lo” have a lower dose of estrogen.

Monophasic Pill Names and Brands

Common monophasic pills include:

  • Levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol
  • Norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol
  • Drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol/levomefolate
  • Desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol
  • Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol
  • Ethynodiol/ethinyl estradiol
  • Drospirenone/estetrol
  • Drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol
  • Norgestrel/ethinyl estradiol

Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol

Common brand names for levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol include:

  • Altavera
  • Amethia
  • Ashlyna
  • Balcoltra
  • Camrese
  • Daysee
  • Dolishale
  • Falmina
  • Introvale
  • Jaimiess
  • Kurvelo
  • Larissia
  • Lessina
  • Lutera
  • Marlissa
  • Portia
  • Setlakin
  • Simpesse
  • Sronyx
  • Vienva

Norethindrone/Ethinyl Estradiol

  • Aurovela 1.5/30
  • Aurovela 1/20
  • Aurovela 24 Fe
  • Aurovela Fe 1.5/30
  • Aurovela Fe 1/20
  • Balziva
  • Blisovi 24 Fe
  • Blisovi Fe 1.5/30
  • Blisovi Fe 1/20
  • Briellyn
  • Gemmily
  • Generess Fe
  • Hailey 1.5/30
  • Hailey 24 Fe
  • Junel 1.5/30
  • Junel 1/20
  • Junel FE 1.5/30
  • Junel FE 1/20
  • Junel Fe 24
  • Kaitlib Fe
  • Larin 1.5/30
  • Larin 1/20
  • Larin 24 Fe
  • Larin Fe 1.5/30
  • Larin Fe 1/20
  • Merzee
  • Mibelas 24 Fe
  • Nortrel 0.5/35
  • Nortrel 1/35
  • Philith
  • Tarina Fe 1/20
  • Taytulla
  • Vyfemla
  • Wera
  • Wymzya Fe
  • Zenchent
  • Zenchent Fe

Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate

Desogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol

Norgestimate/Ethinyl Estradiol

  • Estarylla
  • Mili
  • MonoNessa
  • Mono-Linyah
  • Previfem
  • Sprintec

Ethynodiol/Ethinyl Estradiol

Drospirenone/Estetrol

Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol

  • Nikki
  • Ocella
  • Syeda
  • Vestura
  • Zarah
  • Zumandimine

Norgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol

Multiphasic Pill Names and Brands

Multiphasic pills are broken down into biphasic, triphasic, and quadriphasic formulations. Common examples of each are included below.

Biphasic

  • Azurette (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Bekyree (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Kariva (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Femlyv, Lo Loestrin Fe (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol)
  • Pimtrea (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Viorele (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Volnea (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol)

 Triphasic

  • Alyacen 7/ 7/ 7 (norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Alyacen 777 (norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Aranelle (norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Caziant (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Cyclessa (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Dasetta 7/7/7 (norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Enpresse (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Leena (norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Levonest (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Nortrel 7/7/7 (norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tilia Fe (norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri Femynor (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri-Estarylla (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri-Linyah (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri-Lo-Estarylla (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri-Lo-Marzia (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri-Lo-Mili (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri-Lo-Sprintec (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri-Mili (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri-Norinyl (norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri-Sprintec (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri-Legest Fe (norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Trivora (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Velivet (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol)

 Quadriphasic

Extended-Cycle Pill Names and Brands

Extended-cycle combined oral contraceptives (COCs) consist of 84 days of active hormonal pills followed by seven days of inactive or very low-dose estrogen pills.

This regimen results in menstruation every three months instead of monthly:

  • Amethia (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Amethyst (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Ashlyna (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Camrese (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Camrese-Lo (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Daysee (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Introvale levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Jaimiess (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Jolessa (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • LoSeasonique (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Quartette (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)                 
  • Quasense (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Rivelsa (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)     
  • Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Setlakin (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)                      
  • Simpesse (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)

Low-Dose Pills Names and Brands

Low-dose COCs contain up to 30 micrograms of estrogen:

  • Apri (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Aviane (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • CamreseLo (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Levora (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Lo Loestrin Fe (norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Lo-Zumandimine (drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Loryna (drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Low-Ogestrel (norgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri-Lo-Estarylla (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri-Lo-Marzia (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri-Lo-Mili (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Tri-Lo-Sprintec (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Yasmin (drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol)
  • Yaz (drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol)

How Progestin-Only Birth Control Pills Work

The mini-pill, or progestin-only pills (POPs), can prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation, although the rate at which ovulation is suppressed can vary by individual. They work by thickening cervical mucus to prevent sperm penetration, lowering mid-cycle luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) peaks, slowing movement of the ovum through the fallopian tubes, and altering the endometrium.

POPs can be taken immediately postpartum when the risk of clotting is higher. Due to this risk, COCs are not recommended for three weeks after childbirth if you are not breastfeeding and four to six weeks after if you are breastfeeding.

POPs require strict adherence to the schedule since they are less forgiving if a pill is late or missed. You must take doses within three hours of the scheduled time.

Progestin-Only Pill Names and Brands

Norethindrone is a POP, and is available under the following brand names:

  • Camila
  • Deblitane
  • Emzahh
  • Errin
  • Heather
  • Incassia
  • Jencycla
  • Jolivette
  • Nora-BE
  • Norlyda
  • Sharobel
  • Slynd

How to Choose the Right Birth Control Pill for You

When discussing hormonal birth control methods with your healthcare provider, there are certain factors to consider.

If you’ve recently given birth and have additional risk factors for blood clots, avoid COCs for three to six weeks. Instead, consider using POPs during this period.

Natazia is a contraceptive that can also be used for heavy periods, making it a good option if you struggle with a heavy menstrual flow. Contraceptives with four placebo pills or extended-cycle regimens can also help manage heavy periods.

You should avoid COCs and choose progestin-only if you:

  • Are over 35 and smoke
  • Have a history of clotting issues
  • Have a history of breast/ovarian/liver cancer
  • Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • Have migraines with aura
  • Have diabetes with vascular disease
  • Have unexplained bleeding

A combination pill is generally recommended for those dealing with acne.

For those with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, Yaz or Yasmin (both containing drospirenone) can help with PMS symptoms like bloating, headaches, breast tenderness, anxiety, mood swings, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the most common type of birth control pill?

    In the United States, the birth control pill is the most widely used form of contraception, with approximately 25% of females aged 15 to 44 who use contraception opting for it. The most frequently prescribed type of pill is the combined hormonal pill, also known as COCs.

  • How much do birth control pills cost?


  • Are minipills less effective than combination birth control pills?

    Minipills work similarly to combination pills by thickening the cervical mucus and thinning the uterine lining to prevent fertilization and implantation of an egg. However, they only stop ovulation in about half of the people who use them and require strict adherence.

  • What should I do if I don’t take a POP on schedule?

    For pills with norethindrone or norgestrel:

    • Take the pill within three hours of the scheduled time; missing a pill can have more significant consequences. If it’s been more than three hours, take one pill as soon as possible.
    • For the next 48 hours, abstain from vaginal intercourse or a use barrier method such as a condom.
    • If you’ve had unprotected sex within the past five, days consider emergency contraception.

    For pills with drospirenone:

    • Take the pill as soon as possible, and continue taking one pill a day until the pack is finished.
    • If it’s been 48 hours or more since you should have taken the pill, abstain from vaginal intercourse or a use barrier method until you’ve taken the pills consistently for seven days.
    • If you’ve had unprotected sex within the past five days, consider emergency contraception.


Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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By Temitope Oyeleke, PharmD

Oyeleke is a Maryland-based clinical pharmacist. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Hampton University School of Pharmacy.

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