Key TakeawaysOpill is the first OTC oral contraceptive available in the United States.Opill is a progestin-only pill with a high safety profile.The pill will be available at major retailers and pharmacies, priced at $19.99 for a month’s supply.
Key Takeaways
Opill is the first OTC oral contraceptive available in the United States.Opill is a progestin-only pill with a high safety profile.The pill will be available at major retailers and pharmacies, priced at $19.99 for a month’s supply.
Opill, the first over-the-counteroral contraceptive, will be available in the United States this month.
“It increases accessibility to a wide variety of people,” saidTiffany Pham, MD,an OB-GYN and medical advisor at Flo Health.
Opill stands out because of its formulation as aprogestin-only pill, commonly referred to as a minipill. Regular birth control pills have two hormones—estrogen and progesterone—while the minipill has only progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone). Typically, a progestin-only pill may have milder side effects than a combination pill.
Everything You Need to Know About How to Get Birth Control
How Effective Is Opill?
With an efficacy rate comparable to many other oral contraceptives, Opill boasts a 98% effectiveness in preventing pregnancy when used correctly.
“However, most typical users of the pill do not take it perfectly; therefore, realistically, it prevents around 91% of pregnancies,” Pham said. “Even at 91%, it is still more effective than most non-hormonal forms of contraception.”
Its effect begins 48 hours after the initial dose. While potential side effects such as headaches, bloating, and cramping exist, the overall safety profile of the progestin-only pill is deemed favorable, with minimal associated health concerns.
“When you first start taking the Opill, you should use some form of backup contraception for two days before the pill becomes effective as a form of contraception,” Pham said. “It is extremely important to take the pill on a daily basis at the same time every day.”
The FDA panel that approved the drug for OTC useraised some concernsthat younger users may not understand the importance of taking the pill every day. Or they may not know to use another form of birth control if they miss a dose.
However, some panelists said that providers often prescribe birth control once a year and most patients don’t get much counseling or advice even when they get a prescription.
“As a consumer, you will need to do your due diligence to screen yourself appropriately to ensure that you can take the medication,” Pham said.
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How Much Does OPill Cost?
Opill will be widely available at major retailers, stocked alongside condoms and pregnancy tests in the family planning aisle, both in physical stores and online platforms like Opill.com.
The recommended retail price of a one-month supply of Opill is $19.99. Bulk purchases offer additional savings, with a three-month supply priced at $49.99 and a six-month supply at $89.99.
What This Means For YouYou can soon find Opill at major retailers and pharmacies without needing a prescription.
What This Means For You
You can soon find Opill at major retailers and pharmacies without needing a prescription.
1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Opill—norgestrel tablet[drug label].
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Opill—norgestrel tablet[drug label].
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Opill—norgestrel tablet[drug label].
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