Is Generic Lo/Ovral Available?
Lo/Ovral® (norgestrel/ethinyl estradiol) is one of the many
birth control pills available. It belongs to a group of medications known as combined
oral contraceptives, named because they contain a combination of two different types of hormones (an estrogen and a progestin).
Lo/Ovral is made by Akrimax Pharmaceuticals (although it was previously made by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc.). Generic Lo/Ovral is available, although it is sold under what looks like other brand names, not the typical "generic" names that most other types of medications use.
Names of Generic Birth Control Pills
At this time, three different forms of generic Lo/Ovral are available, sold under the names
Cryselle® (made by Barr Laboratories), Elinest™ (made by Novast Laboratories), and
Low-Ogestrel® (made by Watson Laboratories). The generic names of birth control pills can be confusing. The names are long, and different products can have the same generic name, even though they may be quite different.
To avoid confusion, manufacturers 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. It can be difficult to tell if a particular birth control pill is generic or brand-name, although the price is often a good indication (generics usually cost significantly less).