Is Generic Kelnor Available?
Kelnor™ (ethynodiol diacetate/ethinyl estradiol) is a prescription
birth control pill (also known as an
oral contraceptive). It is classified as both a monophasic oral contraceptive and a combined oral contraceptive. It is a "combined" oral contraceptive because it contains two different hormones, and "monophasic" because it only contains one strength of hormones in each pack (unlike biphasic and triphasic pills, which have different phases of pills that have different strengths of hormones).
Kelnor is made by Barr Pharmaceuticals. Technically, it is a generic version of Demulen®, a birth control pill that is no longer manufactured. Demulen was available in two different strengths: 1/50 and 1/35. Kelnor is only available in the lower strength (1/35).
Zovia® (made by Watson Pharmaceuticals) is another
generic birth control pill that is equivalent to Kelnor. Zovia is not a generic version of Kelnor (or the other way around). Instead, both Zovia and Kelnor are generic versions of Demulen, which is no longer available. The generic names of birth control pills can be confusing -- the names are long, and several different products can have the same generic name, even though they have different strengths. To help avoid confusion, manufacturers of generic birth control pills give their versions a "brand name." These products are still generics, however, even though they seem like brand-name products, due to their names.
