Why was Necon 10/11 discontinued?

It's not clear why Necon 10/11 was discontinued. The Ortho-Novum brand wasn't [taken off the market](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=018354) due to safety reasons or because it didn't work well.

What else can I take instead of Necon 10/11?

If you've taken Necon 10/11 in the past, speak to your provider about other [birth control pills](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/birth-control/birth-control-pill) to see which one would be right for you. There are other biphasic birth control pills available on the market today, and many other options to prevent pregnancy.

necon 10/11

Generic Ortho Novum 10/11

Used for Birth Control

Necon 10/11 is a type of birth control called a combined oral contraceptive (COC) that contains both estrogen and progesterone hormones. This birth control is biphasic, which means it contains two different phases of hormone doses to better mimic your body's natural hormone levels. Necon 10/11 has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States.

Reviewed by:

Yen Nguyen, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on July 26, 2022

What is Necon 10/11?

What is Necon 10/11 used for?

To prevent pregnancy

Are you looking for information on Necon 7/7/7 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) triphasic instead?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Necon 10/11, Ortho-Novum 10/11(brands no longer available)
Drug Class	Estrogen / Progestin combined contraceptive
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Discontinued

Common Brands

Necon 10/11, Ortho-Novum 10/11(brands no longer available)

Drug Class

Estrogen / Progestin combined contraceptive

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Discontinued

Common questions about Necon 10/11

Necon 10/11 is a combination birth control that contains two hormones, norethindrone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen), that work together to prevent pregnancy. Necon 10/11 works by 1) preventing your ovaries from releasing eggs, 2) changing the mucus in your cervix to make it harder for the sperm to enter the uterus (womb), and 3) changing the lining of the uterus so it's more difficult for a fertilized egg to implant. It contains 10 pills with 0.5 mg of norethindrone and 35 mcg of ethinyl estradiol, followed by 11 pills with 1 mg of norethindrone and 35 mcg of ethinyl estradiol, and then 7 inactive (hormone-free) pills.

No, Necon 10/11 has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States.

It's not clear why Necon 10/11 was discontinued. The Ortho-Novum brand wasn't taken off the market due to safety reasons or because it didn't work well.

If you've taken Necon 10/11 in the past, speak to your provider about other birth control pills to see which one would be right for you. There are other biphasic birth control pills available on the market today, and many other options to prevent pregnancy.