Generic Ovcon

There is a generic version of Ovcon 35 (but not of Ovcon 50) available that is sold under the name Balziva. The FDA has assigned generic Ovcon 35 an "AB" rating, meaning that this generic product is as good as the brand-name contraceptive. Generic medications, however, are allowed to have different inactive ingredients (such as fillers or dyes), which can cause problems for people with allergies or sensitivities.

 

Is Generic Ovcon Available?

Ovcon® (norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol) is a birth control pill (oral contraceptive). It is a monophasic combined oral contraceptive. It is called a "combined" oral contraceptive because it contains two different hormones, and "monophasic" because it contains only one strength of hormones in each pack (unlike biphasic and triphasic pills, which have different phases of pills that contain different strengths of hormones in each pack).
 
Ovcon is made by Warner Chilcott Company, Inc. It comes in two different strengths, Ovcon 35 and Ovcon 50, but only Ovcon 35 is available as a generic. Generic Ovcon 35 is sold under a name that looks like a brand name (rather than the usual "generic" name).
 

Generic Ovcon Naming

At this time, generic Ovcon 35 is sold under the names Balziva™ (made by Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc.). The generic names of birth control pills can be very confusing -- the names are long, and many different products can have the same generic name (even though they are very different products). To help avoid confusion, manufacturers of generic birth control pills give their versions a "brand name." These products are still generics, even though they seem like brand-name products, due to their names.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;