Birth control without prescription hits shelves this month. What is Opill?
Eight months after the country’s first over-the-counter daily birth control pill was approved by the Food and Drug Administration, it is set to hit shelves across the country later this month.
Perrigo Company, the Dublin-based pharmaceutical manufacturer, announced its birth control pill Opill has been shipped to major retailers and pharmacies across the U.S. and will be available for purchase in the coming weeks, according to a March 4 news release.
Pre-orders for the medication begin as early as this week, the company said. Here is what you need to know.
What is Opill?
Opill, also known by its active ingredient norgestrel, is a once-a-day, progestin-only hormonal birth control pill, according to the company.
Progestin-only pills, also known as POPs or the mini pill, are free of estrogen and cause the inner lining of the cervix and uterus to thicken, thereby blocking sperm from reaching the egg and preventing pregnancy, the company said.
POPs have also been known to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg in the first place, also preventing a person from becoming pregnant after intercourse, according to Perrigo.
Opill is 98% effective when taken at the same time every day, the company said, and starts working within 48 hours after taking the first pill.
Opill, and other forms of hormonal birth control, do not prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms are still recommended to prevent infection, or if you miss a pill or are late taking one.
What are the risks of taking Opill?
Opill, like any other hormonal birth control pill, has risks.
No birth control pill is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy, according to the Cleveland Clinic, and about 9 out of every 100 people on the pill will become pregnant per year.
Hormonal pills also have an impact on the body, and can include side effects like nausea, headaches, irritability, tenderness of the breasts, and spotting between periods, the Cleveland Clinic says.
In rare cases, hormonal birth control pills can lead to blood clots, heart attack and stroke.
Opill was approved by the FDA in July for sale over-the-counter, and norgestrel has been deemed safe to use since 1973.
“Opill should not be used together with other hormonal birth control products such as another oral contraceptive tablet, a vaginal ring, a contraceptive patch, a contraceptive implant, a contraceptive injection or an intra-uterine device (IUD),” the FDA said when the drug was approved.
It is important to discuss birth control options with a healthcare provider.
Do you need a prescription for Opill?
No. Opill will be available without a prescription from a doctor, making it the first of its kind in the U.S., Perrigo said.
Nearly one-third of all women who have tried to get a prescription for hormonal birth control or refill their current prescription reported “having problems” getting it, according to study published in the Journal of Women’s Health in 2016.
“The availability of an oral contraceptive without a prescription is a truly groundbreaking milestone in reproductive health,” obstetrician-gynecologist Melissa J. Kottke said in the release. “Progestin-only pills have been a trusted contraceptive option for decades, yet obtaining a prescription for birth control pills creates unnecessary barriers for many. Creating additional opportunities for contraceptive access is critical in helping people reach their reproductive goals.”
How much does Opill cost?
“Consumers will have the opportunity to purchase Opill in a variety of sizes in stores to best meet their needs, including one-month and three-month packs, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $19.99 and $49.99 respectively,” the company announced. “Additionally, Opill will be available for purchase at Opill.com at a price of $49.99 for a three-month supply and $89.99 for a six-month supply.”
The company also said it is starting a “cost-assistance program” in the next few weeks that would allow “qualified low-income, uninsured individuals” to purchase Opill at a reduced price or get the pills for free.
Over-the-counter drugs can also be paid for or reimbursed through flexible spending or health savings accounts, the company said, and may be available through employers.
The pills will be available at “most major retailers nationwide,” online at Opill.com, or you can sign up for a subscription through the website.
COVID booster shots coming again, CDC says — but not everyone needs one. What to know
Smartwatches and rings can’t be used to track this vital sign, FDA warns. What to know
Study finds marijuana can kill skin cancer cells — but there are some big caveats
‘Persistent’ COVID infections may be creating new variants, study says. What to know
