provider image
Welcome! You’re in GoodRx for healthcare professionals. Now, you’ll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare professionals.
Skip to main content
Junel 1/20 Coupon - Junel 1/20 21 tablets package

aurovela 1/20

Generic Loestrin 1/20
Used for Birth Control
Used for Birth Control

Junel 1/20 is a type of combined oral contraceptive (COC), or birth control. It contains both estrogen and progesterone hormones. It's monophasic, meaning all active tablets contain the same amount of hormones. This medication is available as a 21-tablet pack (Junel 1/20) or a 28-tablet pack that includes iron tablets (Junel Fe 1/20). Junel 1/20 provides a lower dose of hormones compared with other COCs with the same ingredients.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Yen Nguyen, PharmD
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 27, 2022
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Junel 1/20?

What is Junel 1/20 used for?

  • To prevent pregnancy

How Junel 1/20 works

Junel 1/20 is a combination medication that contains 2 hormones: norethindrone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). These 2 hormones work together to prevent pregnancy by:

  • Preventing your ovaries from releasing eggs

  • Changing the mucus in your cervix to make it harder for the sperm to enter the uterus (womb)

  • Changing the lining of the uterus so it's more difficult for a fertilized egg to implant

Junel Fe 1/20 (along with its branded generics) is another version of Junel 1/20 that contains placebo (hormone-free or inactive) tablets with ferrous fumarate. This is an iron supplement added to lower your risk for low iron levels or anemia when you have bleeding during the days when you're taking the placebo tablets.

Are you looking for information on Junel 1.5/30 (norethindrone acetate / ethinyl estradiol) or Junel 24 Fe (norethindrone acetate / ethinyl estradiol / ferrous fumarate) instead?
When does Junel 1/20 start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Initial effect
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsJunel 1/20, Aurovela 1/20, Blisovi Fe 1/20, Larin 1/20, Loestrin Fe 1/20
Drug ClassEstrogen / Progestin combined contraceptive
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
coupon-save-icon

Get your GoodRx coupon

Avg retail price
$85.91(save 65.64%)
GoodRx discount
$29.52
See prices
basics-icon

What are the side effects of Junel 1/20?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach cramps and bloating
  • Bleeding between periods
  • Spotting
  • Change in the flow of period
  • Missing periods
  • Swelling
  • Breast changes
  • Weight changes
  • Mental depression
  • Vaginal yeast infection

Other Side Effects

  • Skin condition that causes brown spots or patches
  • Migraine
  • Allergic rash

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Heart attack: chest pain, stomach discomfort, sweating, nausea, dizziness
  • Stroke: sudden numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face, confusion, trouble seeing, headache, difficulty walking
  • Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg): leg cramp, swelling, pain, muscle tightness
  • Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung): cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, racing heart
When do Junel 1/20 possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Changes in menstrual bleeding
Headache
Nausea
Stomach cramps
Breast changes
Mood changes
Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods

anxiety

change in vision

changes in skin color

chest pain or discomfort

chills

clay-colored stools

constipation

cough

dark urine

diarrhea

dizziness or lightheadedness

fainting

fast heartbeat

fever

headache

hives or welts

itching skin

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

loss of appetite

medium to heavy, irregular vaginal bleeding between regular monthly periods, which may require the use of a pad or a tampon

nausea

pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck

pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg

pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially in the calves of the legs

pounding in the ears

rash

redness of the skin

severe headaches of sudden onset

slow or fast heartbeat

stomach pain

sudden loss of coordination or slurred speech

sweating

troubled breathing

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

vomiting of blood

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

Bloating

blotchy spots on the exposed skin

breast enlargement or tenderness

discouragement

feeling sad or empty

irritability

itching of the vagina or outside genitals

loss of interest or pleasure

pain during sexual intercourse

stomach cramps

thick, white curd-like vaginal discharge without odor or with mild odor

tiredness

trouble concentrating

trouble sleeping

trouble wearing contact lenses

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Junel 1/20

thumbs-up

Pros

Taken once daily

Active pills are all one color so they're easy to identify

Available as a lower-cost generic

thumbs-down

Cons

Not recommended if you smoke cigarettes because it raises your risk for blood clots

Higher risk of breakthrough bleeding or spotting compared with COCs with a higher dose of estrogen

Missing doses can raise the risk of pregnancy

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Junel 1/20

pharmacist

  • Take Junel 1/20 at the same time every day with a meal or at bedtime to help with side effects like stomach upset and nausea. Set an alarm to help you remember to take it.

    • Let your provider know all of your current medications. Certain medications, such as rifampin (Rifadin), can interact with Junel 1/20 and cause it to work less well to prevent pregnancy. Some medications can also raise your risk of breakthrough bleeding (bleeding outside of your period).

      • Before taking Junel 1/20, let your provider know all of your health conditions to see if this medication is safe for you. If you have conditions such as high cholesterol levels, your provider might check your labs regularly while you're taking Junel 1/20 because this medication can make your cholesterol levels more difficult to control.

        • Swelling can occur in some people who take Junel 1/20. Follow up with your provider regularly if you have other health conditions, such as heart failure, that might get worse with additional fluid and swelling in your body.

          • Talk to your provider if you experience symptoms of depression or worsening depression while taking Junel 1/20. Your provider might take you off this medication if you have serious depression.

            • If you're breastfeeding, small amounts of Junel 1/20 can pass into your breast milk and might affect your baby. It can also lower the amount of breast milk you're able to make. Discuss with your provider safe birth control options while breastfeeding your baby.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Junel 1/20

              What is a monophasic birth control?
              Junel 1/20 is considered a monophasic birth control, which means that all active tablets contain the same amount of hormones. If you're prescribed Junel 1/20 or its branded generics, all of the tablets in the pack will be the same color. If you're prescribed a pack of 28 tablets (e.g., Junel Fe 1/20), all of the active tablets for the first three weeks are the same color, and the last 7 placebo tablets will be a different color.
              When should I expect to get my period when taking Junel 1/20?
              When you take Junel 1/20, you'll typically get your period in the days after you finish your last active tablet. This isn't a menstrual period, which happens as a part of your menstrual cycle. Instead, you'll get a withdrawal bleed that looks like a period, but it's actually caused by a drop in hormone levels during the week that you're not taking any active tablets.
              Will Junel 1/20 work less well since it's a low-dose birth control?
              Junel 1/20 contains 1 mg norethindrone and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol. It's considered a low-dose birth control because it contains less hormones compared with other birth control pills, such as Junel 1.5/30. Studies show that low-dose birth control, such as Junel 1/20, work just as well as other COCs at preventing pregnancy if taken as instructed. If you take it according to your provider's directions without missing any pills, Junel 1/20 is about 99% successful at preventing pregnancy.
              Can I take Junel 1/20 continuously to skip my period?
              Junel 1/20 is only approved by the FDA to prevent pregnancy and it should be taken as directed by your provider. But COCs, like Junel 1/20, has been used to skip periods. Studies show that it's possible to skip periods by continuously taking the active pills and skipping the hormone-free week or the placebo pills. If you want to skip your period, speak with your provider first to see if that's a good option for you.
              What should I do if I miss a pill of Junel 1/20?
              It's important for you to take Junel 1/20 every day for the medication to prevent pregnancy. But if you missed a dose, your next steps depend on when you missed it and how many pills you missed. If you only missed 1 pill, you can take the missed pill as soon as you remember and continue taking the next pill at your regular time. If you missed pills multiple days in a row, you might have to take 1 or 2 pills on the same day to make up for it. Or you might have to throw away your current pack and start a new pack. Make sure to follow the instructions on the patient information sheet that was provided with your medication, or contact your provider or pharmacist. Also, ask them if you need to use another method of birth control to prevent pregnancy during this time.
              GoodRxEducationalIcon

              How to save using GoodRx

              Compare Prices
              1. Compare PricesSpecify your dosage and quantity to find out exactly how much you can save.
              Select your free coupon
              2. Select your free couponYou can use the displayed coupon, or compare prices at other pharmacies near you.
              Show coupon to your pharmacist
              3. Show coupon to your pharmacistPresent your printed or electronic coupon when you pick up your prescription.
              Get free couponLearn more
              warings-icon

              What are the risks and warnings for Junel 1/20?

              Junel 1/20 can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

              risk-warning

              Cigarette smoking and serious heart problems

              • Risk factors: Females over 35 years old who smoke cigarettes

                If you smoke cigarettes, using combined oral contraceptives (COCs), like Junel 1/20, raises your risk for serious health problems, such as strokes, heart attacks, and blood clots. Females age 35 years and older who smoke are at even higher risk for these problems. If you smoke, talk with your provider about safer birth control alternatives.

                risk-warning

                Blood clots and strokes

                • Risk factors: Females over 35 years old who smoke | Females over 40 years old who don't smoke | Recent surgery with a long period of bed rest | Starting Junel 1/20 less than a month after childbirth | High blood pressure | People identified as obese | High cholesterol | Diabetes | Higher dose of estrogen

                  Junel 1/20 raises your risk of blood clots. These clots can occur anywhere in your body, including your lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE), legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT), brain (stroke), and heart (heart attack). Get emergency help right away if you have any signs of a blood clot:

                  • Brain: weakness or numbness in your arms, legs, or face on one side of the body, trouble speaking, blurred vision, dizziness, loss of balance, trouble walking, or confusion

                    • Eyes: trouble seeing, bulging eye, double vision

                      • Heart: chest pain, sweating, nausea, or dizziness

                        • Lungs: trouble breathing, chest pain, or cough

                          • Legs: cramps, swelling, pain, or muscle tightness

                            If you need to have surgery, tell your provider you're taking Junel 1/20. They might have you stop taking it 4 weeks before until 2 weeks after your surgery to lower your risk of blood clots. If you recently delivered a baby, you shouldn't start Junel 1/20 until 4 to 6 weeks after delivery if you're not breastfeeding your child.

                            risk-warning

                            Irregular bleeding

                            People who take Junel 1/20 can sometimes experience irregular bleeding and spotting, especially during the first 3 months of taking this medication. Irregular bleeding can vary from slight staining to bleeding similar to a regular period. This problem might be temporary, so continue taking your medication as directed. Let your provider know if the bleeding is a problem for you and they can change your birth control. If you miss your period, make sure you get a pregnancy test to make sure you're not pregnant or contact your provider.

                            risk-warning

                            High blood pressure

                            • Risk factors: Older age | Using COCs for a long time | High blood pressure | Kidney problems

                              Junel 1/20 can raise your blood pressure, so make sure you monitor your blood pressure while you're taking this medication. Speak to your provider if you have high blood pressure or kidney problems, and they can help you pick a different method of birth control that's safer for you. Your blood pressure can return to normal after stopping your oral contraceptives.

                              risk-warning

                              High blood sugar and cholesterol

                              • Risk factors: Prediabetes or diabetes | High triglycerides

                                Junel 1/20 can raise your blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels. Speak with your provider before starting oral contraceptives if you have diabetes, prediabetes, or high cholesterol. If you choose to take Junel 1/20 with those health conditions, your provider will monitor you regularly.

                                risk-warning

                                Headache

                                Let your provider know if you experience new or worsening migraines or headaches while taking Junel 1/20. You will have to stop your medication if your migraine or headache doesn't go away or becomes severe.

                                risk-warning

                                Risk of breast and cervical cancer

                                • Risk factors: History of breast or cervical cancer | Taking COCs for a long time

                                  Study results are mixed, but there's a possibility that Junel 1/20 and other COCs can raise your risk for breast and cervical cancer.

                                  Don't take Junel 1/20 if you currently have or have had breast cancer because some breast cancers grow faster in the presence of estrogen. You can examine your breasts regularly at home or get yearly breast exams with your healthcare provider to help with early breast cancer detection. Let your provider know if you notice any new or abnormal lumps, pain, or swelling in your breasts.

                                  Make sure you follow up with your provider to get proper screenings for cervical cancer. Report any signs of vaginal bleeding or discharge that's not normal.

                                  risk-warning

                                  Interactions with other medications

                                  Certain medications can make Junel 1/20 get broken down faster in your body, making it less effective and can lead to pregnancy. Some examples include carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin). Use a back-up method or other form of birth control for at least 28 days after stopping any of these medications. Other medications can raise the amount of Junel 1/20 in your body, which can lead to more side effects. Make sure to tell your provider or pharmacist all of your medications so they can make sure they don't interact with Junel 1/20.

                                  If you have hepatitis C and need to be treated with Viekira Pak (dasabuvir / ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir), let your provider know right away that you're taking a COC. You'll need to stop Junel 1/20 before starting Viekira Pak because taking them together can cause liver problems. You can start Junel 1/20 again 2 weeks after you stop Viekira Pak.

                                  dosage

                                  Junel 1/20 dosage forms

                                  The average cost for 4 packages of 21 tablets of Junel 1/20 is $29.52 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 65.64% off the average retail price of $85.91.
                                  package
                                  Package
                                  DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                                  21 tablets4 packages$29.52$7.38

                                  Typical dosing for Junel 1/20

                                  Your medication might look different and have slightly different directions depending on which branded generic your provider prescribes. Please take the medication as instructed by your provider. In general:

                                  Junel 1/20 (and its branded generics) comes in a 21-day pack. Each tablet contains 1 mg norethindrone acetate and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol.

                                  • The typical dose is to take 1 tablet by mouth daily for 21 days, followed by 7 days off (not taking any tablets).

                                  Junel Fe 1/20 (and its branded generics) comes in a 28-day pack. There are 21 active tablets and they each contains 1 mg norethindrone acetate and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol. There are 7 placebo tablets and they each contains 75 mg of ferrous fumarate.

                                  • The typical dose is to take 1 active tablet by mouth daily for 21 days, followed by 1 placebo tablet daily for the remaining 7 days.

                                  interactions

                                  Interactions between Junel 1/20 and other drugs

                                  Junel 1/20 may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Junel 1/20. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                                  drug-cost

                                  How much does Junel 1/20 cost?

                                  To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
                                  Loestrin 1/20 (brand)
                                  GoodRx lowest price

                                  $29.52

                                  0
                                  Junel 1/20 (generic)
                                  GoodRx lowest price

                                  $29.52

                                  (save 65.64%)
                                  View prices & coupons
                                  contraindications-icon

                                  Junel 1/20 contraindications

                                  Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Junel 1/20 will not be safe for you to take.

                                  • Current or history of blood clots

                                  • Health condition that makes it more likely for your blood to clot

                                  • Cerebral vascular disease (problems with the blood flow to your brain)

                                  • Coronary artery disease (problems with the blood flow to your heart)

                                  • Current or history of breast cancer

                                  • Unexplained vaginal bleeding that hasn't been diagnosed

                                  • Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or during previous use of birth control pills

                                  • Liver tumors or cancer

                                  • Pregnancy

                                  • Taking hepatitis C medication with ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir

                                  alternatives

                                  What are alternatives to Junel 1/20?

                                  There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Junel 1/20. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                                  Junel 1/20
                                  Used for:

                                  • To prevent pregnancy

                                  $29.52 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                                  Vienva
                                  Used for:

                                  • To prevent pregnancy

                                  $24.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                                  Junel Fe 24
                                  Used for:
                                  $39.29 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                                  images

                                  Junel 1/20 images

                                  Yellow Round 977 And B - Junel 1 / 20 21-Day Tablet
                                  This medicine is Yellow, Round Package Imprinted With "B" And "977".Yellow Round 977 And B - Junel 1 / 20 21-Day Tablet

                                  Get savings updates for Junel 1/20

                                  Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Junel 1/20 and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.

                                  By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.

                                  Browse medications

                                  View All

                                  Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.