About Opill

See why Opill may be the right choice for your patients.
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Opill is available over the counter at retailers nationwide, online and via subscription.

A contraceptive option that fits your patient’s lifestyle

Opill is a progestin-only, estrogen-free contraceptive pill making it suitable for most* people of reproductive age, including those who12:

  • Are breastfeeding
  • Are smokers
  • Have a history of migraines


*Do not use Opill® if you have or ever had breast cancer. See Opill® label for list of warnings.

Woman checking watch

Simple to use

Opill is dosed once daily at the same 0.075 mg norgestrel dose.3 For maximum contraceptive effect, Opill should be taken no later than three hours from the time the tablet was taken the day before.3

People who take Opill more than three hours late or miss one or more tablets should3:

  • Take one tablet immediately, then resume Opill on their regular schedule
  • Use a condom or other barrier method every time they have sex during the 48 hours after restarting Opill
  • Take a pregnancy test or talk to their healthcare provider if their period is late after missing any tablets in the last month, or if they suspect they may be pregnant

How Opill works

Watch this video to learn more about Opill's mechanism of action and see why Opill can be an excellent birth control option for your patients.

Progestin-only pills like Opill work by: 

  • Increasing cervical mucus viscosity to inhibit sperm penetration3,10
  • Suppressing ovulation in some cycles3,11

Suppresses or disrupts ovulation in some cycles

Increasing cervical mucus viscosity to inhibit sperm penetration

Opill efficacy

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Opill is the most effective contraceptive available OTC.*1,2

It is 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when used as directed.3

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Opill starts working 48 hours after initiation.*3

It can be initiated any day of the menstrual cycle — no need to wait for menses.3

Opill does NOT protect individuals from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. It is NOT an emergency contraceptive and does not prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.

*When used as directed.

Opill safety

A well-established safety profile supported by decades of real-world experience2

Side effects vary by individual, but Opill is generally well tolerated.13 The most frequently reported side effect is irregular bleeding.2,3

Ectopic pregnancy

Use of effective contraception decreases the risk of pregnancy and the risk of ectopic pregnancy overall.14 According to a recent US study, the risk of ectopic pregnancy with any oral contraceptive use is lower than with nonuse.14 Opill is not contraindicated for use in those with a history of ectopic pregnancy.12

No examinations or tests needed before initiating or continuing Opill4

Pelvic and breast examinations, cervical cancer screening and sexually transmitted infection screening are not required before initiating hormonal contraception.4,9 Studies have shown that individuals can use self-screening tools to determine their eligibility for hormonal contraceptive use.9 For further information, consult the US Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use and the US Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use.

Who should not use Opill?

For further information about using progestin-only contraception in these situations, please refer to the CDC MEC.12

Opill should not be used by people who3:

  • Have or ever had breast cancer
  • Have allergies to this product or any of its ingredients, such as the color additive FD&C yellow No.5 (tartrazine)
  • Are currently using another birth control pill, vaginal ring, patch, implant, injection or intrauterine device (IUD)
  • Are pregnant or think they may be pregnant
  • Are male

Consumers should talk to a physician before starting Opill if they3:

  • Currently have vaginal bleeding between periods and have not already talked to a physician
  • Have liver tumors or liver disease
  • Have or ever had any cancer

Patient and consumer resources

Use these guides to prepare for discussions about Opill with your patients and customers.

Group of Women

References

1. Trussell J, Aiken ARA, Micks E, Guthrie KA. Efficacy, safety, and personal considerations. In: Hatcher RA, Nelson AL, Trussell J, Cwiak C, Cason P, Policar MS, Edelman A, Aiken ARA, Marrazzo J, Kowal D, eds. Contraceptive technology. 21st ed. New York, NY: Ayer Company Publishers, Inc., 2018.
2. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves first nonprescription daily oral contraceptive. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-nonprescription-daily-oral-contraceptive. Accessed October 13, 2023.
3. US Food and Drug Administration. Opill® label. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/017031s041lbl.pdf. Accessed October 13, 2023.
4. Curtis KM, et al. U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2016. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2016;65(4):1-66.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Survey of Family Growth 2017-2019. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nsfg/nsfg_2017_2019_puf.htm. Accessed July 26, 2023.
6. Data on file. HRA Pharma. Unpublished analysis of the NSFG data by Pinney Associates 2023.
7. Finer LB, Zolna MR. Declines in unintended pregnancy in the United States, 2008–2011. N Engl J Med. 2016;374(9):843-852.
8. Biggs MA, et al. Unprotected intercourse among women wanting to avoid pregnancy: attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs. Womens Health Issues. 2012;22(3):e311-e318.
9. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG Committee Opinion Number 788: over-the-counter access to hormonal contraception. Obstet Gynecol. 2019;134(4):e96-e105.
10. Han L, et al. Mechanism of action of a 0.075 mg norgestrel progestogen-only pill 2. Effect on cervical mucus and theoretical risk of conception. Contraception. 2022;112:43-47.
11. Glasier A, et al. Mechanism of action of norgestrel 0.075 mg a progestogen-only pill. I. Effect on ovarian activity. Contraception. 2022;112:37-42.
12. Curtis KM, et al. U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2016. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2016;65(3):1-104.
13. US Food and Drug Administration. Opill (0.075mg oral norgestrel tablet) information. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/opill-0075mg-oral-norgestrel-tablet-information. Accessed October 13, 2023.
14. Raine-Bennett T, et al. Ectopic pregnancy prevention: further evidence of benefits of prescription contraceptives. Contraception. 2022;105:19-25.
15. Frederiksen B, et al. Women’s sexual and reproductive health services: key findings from the 2020 KFF Women’s Health Survey. Available at: https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/womens-sexual-and-reproductive-health-services-key-findings-from-the-2020-kff-womens-health-survey. Accessed May 25, 2023.
16. Key K, et al. Challenges accessing contraceptive care and interest in over-the-counter oral contraceptive pill use among Black, Indigenous, and people of color: an online cross-sectional survey. Contraception. 2023;120:109950.
17. Grindlay K, Grossman D. Prescription birth control access among U.S. women at risk of unintended pregnancy. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2016;25(3):249-254.
18. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Committee Opinion Number 615: access to contraception. Obstet Gynecol. 2015;125(1):250-255.
19. Power to Decide. Tip sheet: understanding contraceptive deserts. Available at: https://powertodecide.org/what-we-do/information/resource-library/understanding-contraceptive-deserts. Accessed April 26, 2023.
20. Grindlay K, et al. Interest in continued use after participation in a study of over-the-counter progestin-only pills in the United States. Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle). 2022;3(1):904-914.
21. Long M, et al. Interest in using over-the-counter oral contraceptive pills: findings from the 2022 KFF Women’s Health Survey. Available at: https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/interest-using-over-the-counter-oral-contraceptive-pills-findings-2022-kff-womens-health-survey. Accessed November 16, 2023..
22. Cheng D, et al. Unintended pregnancy and associated maternal preconception, prenatal and postpartum behavior. Contraception. 2009;79(3):194-198.
23. Dibaba Y, et al. The effects of pregnancy intention on the use of antenatal care services: systemic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Health. 2013;10:50.
24. Lindberg L, et al. Pregnancy intentions and maternal and child health: an analysis of longitudinal data in Oklahoma. Matern Child Health J. 2015;19(5):1087-1096.
25. Mohllajee AP, et al. Pregnancy intention and its relationship to birth and maternal outcomes. Obstet Gynecol. 2007;109(3):678-686.
26. Kost K, Lindberg L. Pregnancy intentions, maternal behaviors, and infant health: investigating relationships with new measures and propensity score analysis. Demography. 2015;52(1):83-111.
27. Maxson P, Miranda ML. Pregnancy intention, demographic differences, and psychosocial health. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2011;20(8):1215-1223.
28. Fellenzer JL, Cibula DA. Intendedness of pregnancy and other predictive factors for symptoms of prenatal depression in a population-based study. Matern Child Health J. 2014;18(10):2426-2436.
29. Abajobir AA, et al. A systemic review and meta-analysis of the association between unintended pregnancy and perinatal depression. J Affect Disord. 2016;192:56-63.
30. Grindlay K, et al. Prescription requirements and over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives: a global review. Contraception. 2013;88(1):91-96.
31. Joint Meeting of the Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee and the Obstetrics, Reproductive, and Urologic Drugs Advisory Committee. Laboratoire HRA presentations. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/media/167980/download. Accessed June 5, 2023.
32. American Medical Association. AMA urges FDA to make oral contraceptive available over-the-counter. Available at: https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-urges-fda-make-oral-contraceptive-available-over-counter. Accessed November 2, 2023.
33. Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. SAHM statement: over-the-counter status for oral contraceptives. Available at: https://www.regulations.gov/comment/FDA-2022-N-1959-0557. Accessed November 2, 2023.
34. North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. NASPAG statement to FDA on over the counter OCPs 2022. Available at: https://naspag.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/NASPAG%20Statement%20to%20FDA%20Over%20the%20Counter%20OCPs.pdf. Accessed October 20, 2023.
35. US Food and Drug Administration. Opill tablets. Prescribing information. Laboratoire HRA Pharma; 2017. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/017031s035s036lbl.pdf. Accessed October 13, 2023.