Generic Brevicon

There are generic versions of Brevicon available that are sold under the names Necon 0.5/35 and Nortrel 0.5/35. The FDA has assigned these generic Brevicon products an "AB" rating, meaning that the generics are as good as Brevicon (although the generic products may have different inactive ingredients). Modicon is a birth control pill that is equivalent to and interchangeable with Brevicon.

 

Is Generic Brevicon Available?

Brevicon® (norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol) is a prescription birth control pill (also known as an oral contraceptive). Brevicon is currently made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, although it was first made by G.D. Searle. The patents for Brevicon have expired, and generic versions are currently available.
 

Brevicon Generic Names

The generic names of birth control pills can be very confusing -- the names are long, and several products can have the same generic name, even though they are very different. To avoid confusion, manufactures of generic birth control pills give their versions a "brand name," instead of using the standard generic name. These products are still generics, even though they seem like brand-name products, due to their names. Generic Brevicon is sold under the names Necon® 0.5/35 (made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the same company that makes Brevicon) and Nortrel® 0.5/35 (made by Barr Pharmaceuticals).
 

What About Modicon?

Modicon® is a brand-name birth control pill that is equivalent to Brevicon. It is made by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals. Modicon and Brevicon are interchangeable.
 

Is Generic Brevicon as Good as Brand-Name Brevicon?

All generic medications must undergo certain tests to compare them to brand-name medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) then looks at these tests to decide if the generics are equivalent to the brand-name medications, and assigns each generic a rating. An "AB" rating means that the FDA has determined that a generic medication is equivalent to a brand-name medication. All of the generic Brevicon versions currently available have an "AB" rating, meaning they should be equivalent to Brevicon.
 
However, generic medications are allowed to have different inactive ingredients than the brand-name medication. This might include fillers, dyes, or other ingredients that may cause problems for people with allergies or sensitivities.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;