Is Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) still available?

No, Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States as of [2017](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/06/21/2017-12908/wyeth-pharmaceuticals-inc-et-al-withdrawal-of-approval-of-121-new-drug-applications-and-161). It's not clear why it was discontinued by the manufacturer, but it [wasn't](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=017576) because of safety reasons or because it didn't work well.

What else can I take instead of Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol)?

If you've taken Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) 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 monophasic birth control pills and many other different options to prevent pregnancy that are currently available.

Ovcon 50

Q: What is Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol)?

Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) is a combination of two hormones, norethindrone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). These hormones work together to help prevent pregnancy in three ways. __1)__ They prevent ovulation, or the release of an egg from the ovary. __2)__ The hormones thicken the cervical mucus (fluid from the cervix), which makes it harder for sperm to move and fertilize an egg. __3)__ They change the lining of the uterus (womb) so it's harder for a fertilized egg to attach onto and grow. Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) contains 21 pills with 1 mg of norethindrone and 50 mcg of ethinyl estradiol, and then 7 inactive (hormone-free) pills.

norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol

Used for Birth Control

Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) is a type of combined oral contraceptive (COC), or birth control, that contains both estrogen and progesterone hormones. It's monophasic, which means that the amounts of hormones in all of the active tablets are the same. Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States.

Reviewed by:

Ally Tsai, PharmD

Cydnee Ng, PharmD

Last reviewed on October 26, 2022

What is Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol)?

What is Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) used for?

To prevent pregnancy

Are you looking for information on Balziva (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) monophasic instead?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Ovcon 50(brand 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

Ovcon 50(brand 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 Ovcon 50

Ovcon 50 is a combination of two hormones, norethindrone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). These hormones work together to help prevent pregnancy in three ways. 1) They prevent ovulation, or the release of an egg from the ovary. 2) The hormones thicken the cervical mucus (fluid from the cervix), which makes it harder for sperm to move and fertilize an egg. 3) They change the lining of the uterus (womb) so it's harder for a fertilized egg to attach onto and grow. Ovcon 50 contains 21 pills with 1 mg of norethindrone and 50 mcg of ethinyl estradiol, and then 7 inactive (hormone-free) pills.

No, Ovcon 50 has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States as of 2017. It's not clear why it was discontinued by the manufacturer, but it wasn't because of safety reasons or because it didn't work well.

If you've taken Ovcon 50 in the past, speak to your provider about other birth control pills to see which one would be right for you. There are other monophasic birth control pills and many other different options to prevent pregnancy that are currently available.

Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) dosage

Typical dosage for Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol)

What are alternatives to Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol). Compare a few possible alternatives below.

Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol)

Used for:

To prevent pregnancy

View prices

Balziva

Used for:

To prevent pregnancy

$16.65Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

Junel 1.5/30

Used for:

To prevent pregnancy

$13.24Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

What is Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol)?

What is Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) used for?

Are you looking for information on Balziva (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) monophasic instead?

Drug facts

Common questions about Ovcon 50

What is Ovcon 50?

Is Ovcon 50 still available?

What else can I take instead of Ovcon 50?

Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) dosage

Typical dosage for Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol)

What are alternatives to Ovcon 50 (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol)?

Common questions about Ovcon 50

What is Ovcon 50?

Is Ovcon 50 still available?

What else can I take instead of Ovcon 50?