Is Sprintec Still on the Market? A 2025 Comprehensive Review

October 10, 2025 •

3 min read

With millions of women relying on oral contraceptives, a common question is: Is Sprintec still on the market? The answer is yes; Sprintec and its many generic versions remain widely available and prescribed for pregnancy prevention as of 2025 [1.2.1, 1.5.2].

Quick Summary

A detailed look at the combination birth control pill Sprintec, confirming its current market availability. The overview covers its mechanism, uses, side effects, cost, and a comparison with other common contraceptive options.

Key Points

Still on the Market: Yes, Sprintec and its numerous generic equivalents are widely available in 2025 with a prescription [1.2.1, 1.5.1].
How It Works: It's a combination pill with norgestimate (progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) that primarily prevents ovulation [1.4.1, 1.4.2].
Monophasic Formula: All 21 active pills in a Sprintec pack contain a consistent, single-phase dose of hormones [1.2.3].
Key Risk Factor: The risk of serious side effects like blood clots increases significantly for women over 35 who smoke [1.9.1].
Affordability: As a generic, Sprintec is low-cost and is often covered by insurance with no copay under the ACA [1.8.2, 1.8.3].
Generic Alternatives: If Sprintec isn't stocked, identical formulations are sold under names like Estarylla, Mili, and Mono-Linyah [1.5.1, 1.5.2].

Is Sprintec Still on the Market in 2025?

Yes, Sprintec is still available and can be found at most pharmacies with a prescription [1.2.1]. It is a generic version of the discontinued brand-name drug Ortho-Cyclen [1.5.2]. Due to its status as a generic, it is an affordable option for many [1.2.1]. The active formulation is also available under many other generic names, including Estarylla, Mili, Mono-Linyah, and Previfem, ensuring wide accessibility [1.5.1, 1.5.2]. While the brand name Ortho-Cyclen was discontinued, the medication itself remains a common choice for contraception [1.5.2].

How Does Sprintec Work?

Sprintec is a combination oral contraceptive, meaning it contains two types of synthetic hormones: a progestin (norgestimate 0.250 mg) and an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol 0.035 mg) [1.4.1, 1.4.3]. These hormones work together in three primary ways to prevent pregnancy:

Preventing Ovulation: It stops the ovaries from releasing an egg each month [1.2.1, 1.4.2].
Thickening Cervical Mucus: It makes the mucus in the cervix thicker, which blocks sperm from reaching an egg [1.2.1, 1.4.2].
Altering Uterine Lining: It thins the lining of the uterus, making it difficult for a fertilized egg to implant [1.4.2, 1.4.3].

Sprintec is a monophasic pill, which means each of the 21 active pills in a pack contains the same dose of hormones [1.2.3, 1.6.2]. This is followed by 7 inactive (placebo) pills, during which a withdrawal bleed (period) typically occurs [1.4.3].

Common and Serious Side Effects

Like all medications, Sprintec can cause side effects. Many are mild and may decrease after the first few months of use.

Common Side Effects:

Headache or migraine [1.7.4]
Nausea and vomiting [1.7.4]
Breast tenderness or pain [1.2.4]
Irregular bleeding or spotting, especially in the first three months [1.2.4, 1.7.4]
Mood changes [1.7.3]
Weight changes or fluid retention [1.2.4]

Serious Risks and Warnings: A critical warning associated with all combination birth control pills, including Sprintec, is the increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, particularly blood clots, stroke, and heart attack [1.7.3, 1.9.4]. This risk is significantly higher for women who smoke, especially those over the age of 35 [1.9.1, 1.9.2].

Do NOT use Sprintec if you have a history of:

Blood clots (e.g., DVT, pulmonary embolism) [1.9.1]
Stroke or heart attack [1.9.1]
Uncontrolled high blood pressure [1.9.1]
Certain types of cancer (breast, uterine) [1.9.1]
Liver disease or tumors [1.9.1]
Severe migraine headaches, especially with aura [1.9.1]

Sprintec vs. Alternatives: A Comparison

Choosing a birth control pill depends on individual health needs, sensitivity to hormones, and desired benefits beyond contraception. Here’s how Sprintec compares to other popular options:


Feature	Sprintec	Tri-Lo-Sprintec	Lo Loestrin Fe
Hormone Type	Monophasic [1.2.3]	Triphasic [1.6.5]	Biphasic [1.6.1]
Primary Use	Pregnancy Prevention [1.2.1]	Pregnancy Prevention [1.3.1]	Pregnancy Prevention [1.6.1]
Estrogen Dose	Moderate (35 mcg) [1.4.3]	Lower (25 mcg) [1.6.5]	Very Low (10 mcg) [1.6.1]
Progestin	Norgestimate [1.4.1]	Norgestimate [1.6.5]	Norethindrone Acetate [1.6.1]
FDA-Approved for Acne?	No, but its triphasic version (Tri-Sprintec) is [1.11.2, 1.11.4]	No [1.6.5]	No
Generic Available?	Yes [1.5.1]	Yes [1.3.5]	No [1.6.1]

How to Use Sprintec Correctly

To ensure maximum effectiveness (over 99% with perfect use), take one pill at the same time every day [1.2.1, 1.10.1]. The typical pack contains 21 active (blue) pills and 7 inactive (white) reminder pills [1.4.1, 1.10.3].

Starting: You can start on the first day of your period ("Day 1 Start") or the first Sunday after your period begins ("Sunday Start") [1.10.3]. If using a Sunday Start, use a backup method of birth control (like condoms) for the first 7 days [1.10.3].
Missed Pills: Instructions for missed pills vary depending on how many are missed and in which week. If you miss one active pill, take it as soon as you remember. If you miss two or more, consult the medication's instructions or your doctor, and use backup contraception [1.10.2, 1.10.3].

Cost and Insurance Coverage

As a generic medication, Sprintec is generally affordable. Without insurance, a one-month pack costs on average around $11.51, but prices can be lower with pharmacy coupons [1.8.2]. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover FDA-approved contraceptives like Sprintec with no copay [1.8.2, 1.8.4].

Conclusion

As of 2025, Sprintec remains a widely available, effective, and affordable monophasic combination birth control pill. Its availability is bolstered by numerous other generic versions with the same active ingredients. While it offers reliable pregnancy prevention, it carries risks, most notably for cardiovascular events in smokers over 35. A thorough discussion with a healthcare provider is essential to weigh the benefits and risks and determine if Sprintec or one of its alternatives is the best choice for an individual's health needs.

For official drug information, consult the National Library of Medicine's DailyMed database.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Sprintec is a monophasic pill, meaning the hormone dosage is the same in every active pill. Tri-Sprintec is triphasic, meaning the hormone levels change three times throughout the 21 active pills [1.6.2, 1.6.5].

While some combination birth control pills help with acne, the triphasic version, Tri-Sprintec, is specifically FDA-approved to treat moderate acne in eligible patients who also want contraception [1.11.2, 1.11.4].

The average out-of-pocket cost for a 28-day pack of Sprintec is about $11.51, though prices can vary by pharmacy and may be lower with coupons [1.8.2].

If you miss one active pill, take it as soon as you remember. If you miss two or more, you should take the two most recently missed pills and use a backup birth control method, like condoms, for the next seven days [1.10.3].

While some women report changes in weight, it is often attributed to fluid retention rather than an increase in fat. Studies have not established a direct causal link for most users [1.2.1, 1.2.3].

When taken correctly and consistently every day, Sprintec is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. With typical use, its effectiveness is around 93% [1.2.1].

You should not take Sprintec if you are over 35 and smoke, or if you have a history of blood clots, stroke, heart attack, certain cancers (like breast cancer), uncontrolled high blood pressure, or liver tumors [1.9.1, 1.9.2].