Contraceptive Pill Brands Explained  

Choosing a contraceptive pill can feel daunting. There are dozens of brand names, each with different advantages, making them suitable for different people. 

We’re here to help you navigate the birth control pill brands available, work out which suits your needs best, and whether it’s available on the free NHS contraception service.  

Three key takeaways  

• There are many different brands of contraceptive pills available for free on the NHS, which means you’re more likely to find a pill that suits your needs.  
• Different names of pills contain varying levels of active ingredients. You can choose from high or lower dose, combined pills or progestogen-only (mini) pills.  
• If other forms of contraception fail, there’s the option to get the morning after pill on the NHS with Chemist4U.  

Combined pill brands  

The combined contraceptive pill contains synthetic oestrogen and progestogen.  There are three basic kinds of combined pills, which are taken in different ways. 

Monophasic pill brands  

Each monophasic contraceptive pill contains the same amount of oestrogen and progestogen. You take 21 pills followed by a seven-day break. 

Brand name	Active ingredient(s)	Available free on the NHS with prescription?
Levest Microgynon 30 Ovranette Rigevidon	30mcg ethinylestradiol / 150mcg levonorgestrel	Yes
Lucette Yacella Yasmin	30mcg ethinylestradiol / 3mg drospirenone	Yes
Gedarel 20/150  Mercilon Sunya	20mcg ethinylestradiol / 150mcg desogestrel)	Yes
Femodene Millinette  Femodette	Gestodene 75mcg/ ethinyldestradiol 30mcg  Gestodene 75mcg/ ethinyldestradiol 20mcg	Yes
Brevinor Norimin	Norethisterone/ ethinylestradiol	Yes
Eloine	20mcg ethinylestradiol and 3mg drospirenone	Yes

Every day combined pill brands  

Packs of every day or ED contraceptive pills contain a number of pills, each with the same dosage, alongside a run of placebo pills. The placebo pills make it easier to remember to take your medication – you take a pill every day, with no breaks. 

Brand name	Active ingredient(s)	Available free on the NHS with prescription?
Microgynon 30 ED	Levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol	Yes
Femodene ED	Gestodene and ethinylestradiol	Yes
Logynon ED	Levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol. There are four different strength pills in each pack.	Yes

Multiphasic pill brands  

Each pack of multiphasic birth control pills has two or three sections of tablets in different strengths. They are less commonly prescribed in the UK.  

Brand name	Active ingredient(s)	Available free on the NHS with prescription?
Synphase	Norethisterone and ethinylestradiol	Yes
Logynon Logynon ED	Levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol	Yes
TriRegol	Levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol	Yes

Pros and cons of the combined pill  

Advantages of the combined pill 

• Can stop you having periods if required. Taking packs continuously is safe.  
• Reduces the risk of ovarian, uterine and bowel cancers.  
• Is a very reliable form of contraception – 99% effective if used exactly as directed, 91% with everyday use.  
• Can help prevent acne. Brands like Yasmin and Lucette help reduce flare-ups.  
• Can reduce symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis when taken back-to-back.  

Disadvantages of the combined pill 

• May cause high blood pressure. 
• Is more likely to cause side effects than the mini pill.  
• Is less suitable for smokers over 35.  
• Very slightly increases users’ risk of breast cancer.  
• Needs consistency with timing.  
• Doesn’t protect against STIs.  
• Slightly raises your risk of ectopic pregnancy.
• Slightly increases the risk of blood clots.  
• Can work less effectively if you vomit or have diarrhoea.
• Shouldn’t be taken if you get regular migraines.  

Mini pill brands  

The mini pill only contains progestogen and is taken at the same time every day with no break between packs.  

Brand name	Active ingredient(s)	Available free on the NHS with prescription?
Cerazette Cerelle Desogestrel Desomono Hana Lovima Zelleta	75mcg desogestrel	Yes
Norgeston	30mcg levonorgestrel	Yes
Noriday	350mcg norethisterone	Yes
Slynd	4mg drospirenone	Yes

Pros and cons of the mini pill  

Advantages of the mini pill 

• Has fewer side effects than the combined pill. 
• Is suitable for more people – smokers aged over 35 can take it safely.  
• Can be taken if you get migraines.  
• Is highly unlikely to cause raised blood pressure.  
• May make your periods lighter.  
• Is a very effective form of contraception – 99% effective if used exactly as directed, 91% with everyday use.  
• Doesn’t increase your chance of getting blood clots.   
• Might help to reduce your risk of endometrial cancer.  
• Can reduce symptoms of (PCOS) and endometriosis.  

Disadvantages of the mini pill 

• Can work less effectively if you vomit or have diarrhoea. 
• Doesn’t protect against STIs. 
• Very slightly increases users’ risk of breast cancer. 
• Needs consistency with timing. 
• Slightly raises your risk of ectopic pregnancy. 

Low dose pill brands  

Low-dose combined birth control pills contain 20-35mcg of ethinylestradiol (oestrogen) rather than 30-50mcg. This lower dose reduces the risk of side effects. They are more commonly prescribed than high dose options.  

Brand name	Active ingredient(s)	Available free on the NHS with prescription?
Gedarel 20/150 Mercilon	20mcg ethinylestradiol / 150mcg desogestrel	Yes
Femodette Millinette 20/75 Sunya 20/75	20mcg ethinylestradiol / 75mcg gestodene	Yes
Eloine	20mcg ethinylestradiol and 3mg drospirenone	Yes

Pros and cons of low dose pills  

Advantages of low dose pills 

In addition to the benefits of combined pills above, low dose pills:  

• have fewer hormone-related side effects like bloating, nausea, breast tenderness and headaches 
• often mean lighter periods 
• generally mean a faster return to fertility after you stop taking them
• are safer for women who are breastfeeding 
• are less risky for those who have high blood pressure or a history of blood clots 

Disadvantages of low dose pills 

However, low dose pills are more likely to cause menstrual changes and breakthrough bleeding.  

Morning after pill brands  

If your contraception has failed or you had sex without using birth control, emergency contraception can stop you getting pregnant. However, the morning after pill isn’t intended to be used regularly or in place of long-term contraception. 

Brand name	Active ingredient(s)	Available free on the NHS with prescription?
ellaOne	30mg ulipristal acetate	Yes
Levonelle Levonorgestrel LoviOne	1500 mcg levonorgestrel	Yes

Pros and cons of the morning after pill  

Advantages of the morning after pill 

• Can provide protection from pregnancy if other methods have failed, or if you have had unprotected sex.  
• Is available over the counter from some pharmacies. 
• Is very effective.  
• Is very safe and serious side effects are rare.  

Disadvantages of the morning after pill 

• There are morning after pill side effects, like vomiting, dizziness, aches and fatigue.  
• Must be taken soon after sex to be effective.  
• Does not make a satisfactory, long-term form of birth control.  
• Can cause disruption to your next period.  

Free contraception with Chemist4U  

“Chemist4U can help with your free NHS contraception without the need to book an appointment with a GP.  

“Fill in a quick online consultation and book a call with one of our clinicians. We can then answer your questions, ask if you have any specific requirements, and find the best contraceptive pill for your needs.” 

Hanna Yusuf, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U  

Frequently asked questions about contraceptive pill brands  

What is the most popular contraceptive pill?  

The most widely prescribed brand of combined birth control pill in the UK is Microgynon 30, or it’s equivalents Rigevidon and Ovranette. Yasmin is also very popular. The most popular progesterone-only pills are Cerazette, Cerelle and Hana.   

Can I take desogestrel while breastfeeding?  

Yes, the NHS advice is clear. If you’ve just had a baby, you can start taking the mini pill immediately, and it’s safe to use when breastfeeding.  

Sources  

• Drug Tariff NHS. [Accessed 4 February 2026]. 
• Combined pill NHS. [Accessed 4 February 2026].  
• Progestogen-only pill NHS. [Accessed 4 February 2026].  
• Contraception: Combined pill NHS Inform. [Accessed 4 February 2026]. 
• Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk  National Cancer Institute. [Accessed 4 February 2026]. 
• Does the contraceptive pill increase risk of cancer? Cancer Research UK. [Accessed 4 February 2026]. 
• Hormone treatments Endometriosis UK. [Accessed 4 February 2026].