The combined contraceptive pill is the most popular prescribed form of birth control in the UK, with recent studies finding that over 1.7 million women had been given this type of pill during 2017/18. But why is the combined pill so popular? And which one is right for me?
In this guide, we compare a wide range of different types of combined pills in order to help you decide which one may be suitable for you. We reveal how popular each combined pill is, alongside information about how they should be taken, their active ingredients, prices and more.
| Brevinor | Cilest | Cimizt | Dianette | Eloine | |
| Form | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet |
| Active substance | Ethinylestradiol & Norethisterone | Ethinylestradiol & Norgestimate | Ethinylestradiol & Desogestrel | Ethinylestradiol &
Cyproterone Acetate |
Ethinylestradiol & Drospirenone |
| How it works | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Stops Androgens affecting the skin & reduces the amount of Androgens produced. Manipulates the body’s hormones to prevent pregnancy. | Prevents ovulation from occurring each month. Prevents sperm from reaching the womb. |
| Price | £17.99 -
3 months supply |
£21.99 -
3 months supply |
£33.00 -
3 months supply |
£21.99 -
3 months supply |
£21.99 -
3 months supply |
| Femodene | Femodene ED | Femodette | Gedarel | Katya | |
| Form | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet |
| Active substance | Ethinylestradiol & Gestodene | Ethinylestradiol & Gestodene | Ethinylestradiol & Gestodene | Ethinylestradiol & Desogestrel | Ethinylestradiol & Gestodene |
| How it works | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. |
| Price | £21.99 -
3 months supply |
£21.99 -
3 months supply |
£24.99 -
3 months supply |
£19.99 -
3 months supply |
£19.99 -
3 months supply |
| Levest | Lizinna | Loestrin 20 | Loestrin 30 | Logynon | |
| Form | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet |
| Active substance | Ethinylestradiol & Levonorgestrel | Ethinylestradiol & Norgestimate | Ethinylestradiol & Norethisterone Acetate | Ethinylestradiol & Norethisterone Acetate | Ethinylestradiol & Levonorgestrel |
| How it works | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. |
| Price | £16.99 -
3 months supply |
£34.00 -
3 months supply |
£19.99 -
3 months supply |
£19.99 -
3 months supply |
£19.99 -
3 months supply |
| Logynon ED | Lucette | Marvelon | Mercilon | Microgynon 30 | |
| Form | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet |
| Active substance | Ethinylestradiol & Levonorgestrel | Ethinylestradiol & Drospirenone | Ethinylestradiol & Desogestrel | Ethinylestradiol & Desogestrel | Ethinylestradiol & Levonorgestrel |
| How it works | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation from occurring each month. Prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation, prevents sperm reaching the womb & prevents eggs from growing in the womb |
| Price | £19.99 -
3 months supply |
£24.99 -
3 months supply |
£22.99 -
3 months supply |
£24.99 -
3 months supply |
£19.99 -
3 months supply |
| Microgynon 30 ED | Millinette | Norimin | Norinyl-1 | NuvaRing | |
| Form | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet | Vaginal Ring |
| Active substance | Ethinylestradiol & Levonorgestrel | Ethinylestradiol & Gestodene | Ethinylestradiol & Norethisterone | Mestranol & Norethisterone | Ethinylestradiol & Etonogestrel |
| How it works | Prevents ovulation, prevents sperm reaching the womb & prevents eggs from growing in the womb. | Prevents ovulation, prevents sperm reaching the womb & prevents eggs from growing in the womb. | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Stops eggs from being released into the ovaries and fertilised by the sperm. | Prevents the release of an egg cell from the ovaries. |
| Price | £19.99 -
3 months supply |
£19.99 -
3 months supply |
£17.99 -
3 months supply |
£17.99 -
3 months supply |
£64.00 -
3 rings (3 months) |
| Ovranette | Qlaira | Rigevidon | Sunya | Synphase | |
| Form | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet |
| Active substance | Ethinylestradiol & Levonorgestrel | Estradiol Valerate & Dienogest | Ethinylestradiol & Levonorgestrel | Ethinylestradiol & Gestodene | Ethinylestradiol & Norethisterone |
| How it works | Prevents ovulation, prevents sperm reaching the womb & prevents eggs from growing in the womb. | Stops eggs from being released into the ovaries and fertilised by the sperm. | Stops eggs from being released into the ovaries and fertilised by the sperm. | Stops eggs from being released into the ovaries and fertilised by the sperm. | Stops eggs from being released into the ovaries and fertilised by the sperm. |
| Price | £17.99 -
3 months supply |
£41.99 -
3 months supply |
£17.99 -
3 months supply |
£22.99 -
3 months supply |
£19.99 -
3 months supply |
| Triadene | TriRegol | Yasmin | Zoely | |
| Form | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet |
| Active substance | Ethinylestradiol & Gestodene | Ethinylestradiol & Levonorgestrel | Ethinylestradiol & Drospirenone | Estradiol & Nomegestrol Acetate |
| How it works | Stops eggs from being released into the ovaries and fertilised by the sperm. | Stops eggs from being released into the ovaries and fertilised by the sperm. | Prevents ovulation from occurring each month. Prevents sperm from reaching the womb. | Prevents ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the womb. |
| Price | £27.99 -
3 months supply |
£17.99 -
3 months supply |
£29.99 -
3 months supply |
£34.99 -
3 months supply |
Brevinor
Over the last 12 months (ending August 2019), Brevinor was prescribed 22,403 times by NHS England. This combined oral contraceptive pill is designed to be taken at the same time every day for 21 days, followed by a pill-free week, where no pills should be taken for 7 days. You should then continue with this cycle. Always take Brevinor exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. For more information about this medication’s side effects, interactions, active substances and more visit the Brevinor patient information leaflet.
Three months' supply of Brevinor costs £17.99 from Doctor 4 U, making Brevinor one of the most affordable options when compared with other combined contraceptive pills.
Cilest
From September 2018 to August 2019, Cilest was prescribed 186,810 times by the NHS in England. Cilest should be taken in the same way as Brevinor (above). Take one pill at the same time each day for 21 days followed by 7 pill-free days. Make sure you always take Cilest exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist, and for more details see the Cilest patient information leaflet.
Three packets of Cilest are £21.99 on the Doctor 4 U website and will last for 3 months.
Cimizt
In the last year ending August 2019, Cimizt appeared on 3,956 prescriptions from NHS England. This medication should be taken in the following way: Take Cimizt at around the same time each day for 21 days, stop taking Cimizt for 7 days, and on the 8th day start another packet again. Detailed instructions on how to take Cimizt, alongside more information about the drug and its side effects can be found in the Cimizt patient information leaflet.
The price for 3 boxes of Cimizt is £33.00, and these will last for 3 months if taken as instructed.
Dianette
Over the last year (Sept 2018 - August 2019), NHS England has prescribed Dianette 25,036 times. This combined contraceptive pill should be taken at the same time every day for 21 days, before taking a 7-day break (where no pills are taken). This process should then be repeated after the 7 days are up. The Dianette patient information leaflet outlines important information about this drug, including possible side effects, interactions, and more. Always take Dianette as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist.
Three months' supply of Dianette costs £21.99 on the Doctor 4 U website, which also includes a free consultation with a regulated doctor.
Eloine
Between September 2018 and August 2019, Eloine featured on 8,018 of NHS England’s prescriptions. This medication comes in blister strips that contain 28 pills in total; 24 active light pink tablets and 4 white placebo pills. You should take 1 active light pink tablet at the same time every day for 24 days, then over the next 4 days, take the white placebo pills (one a day). You must then start a new packet of pills without taking a break. These instructions and more information about this drug can be seen in the Eloine patient information leaflet. Always take Eloine as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
At Doctor 4 U, three month’s supply of Eloine costs £21.99, and as with all medicines on the Doctor 4 U website, it includes an online doctor consultation.
Femodene
From September 2018 to August 2019, 41,669 Femodene prescriptions were dispensed by NHS England. Femodene is similar to many other combined contraceptive pills as it should be taken for 21 days in a row, followed by a pill-free week. The Femodene patient information leaflet provides details of this and other important factors you should take into consideration before starting Femodene. However, we recommend always following your doctor’s advice if you’re unsure.
The price for 3 months supply of Femodene is £21.99, which is less than the average cost of the contraceptive pills in this comparison guide.
Femodene ED
In this comparison of combined contraceptive pills, we also include the ED versions of pills where available. The difference between Femodene and Femodene ED is that the ED version contains 7 inactive or ‘dummy’ pills which should be taken instead of having a 7-day break. In the last year (ending August 2019) NHS England prescribed Femodene ED 3,346 times.
The price of Femodene ED is the same as Femodene (£21.99 for 3 months).
Femodette
In the last 12 months (ending August 2019) NHS England wrote 21,084 prescriptions for Femodette. Femodette is a combined contraceptive pill which should be taken for 21 days, followed by 7 pill-free days. As with all other combined contraceptive medications, you should take Femodette exactly as you’ve been instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. More details can be found in the Femodette patient information leaflet.
The cost of Femodette for 3 months is £24.99 from the Doctor 4 U website, which includes a consultation with a regulated online doctor.
Gedarel
Gedarel is a combined hormonal contraceptive pill that was prescribed by NHS England 90,101 times between August 2018 and September 2019. To ensure effective contraception, Gedarel should be taken once at around the same time each day for 21 days. You should then have a 7-day break from the pill and resume taking your next pack on the 8th day. Check the Gedarel patient information leaflet for all information.
The price of Gedarel for 3 months is £19.99.
Katya
Katya is a form of combined contraceptive pill that’s frequently prescribed in the UK as a form of birth control. It should be taken for 21 days at around the same time each day and then stopped for 7 days, before continuing (on the 8th day) with the next pill packet. For important dosage information and details of side effects, active substances and more, see the Katya patient information leaflet.
Three month's supply of Katya costs £19.99, which includes a consultation with a registered online doctor.
Levest
The combined contraceptive pill Levest was prescribed 165,452 times by NHS England in the last 12 months (ending August 2019). This medication should be taken for 21 days (at around the same time each day), followed by a 7-day pill-free week for effective birth control. The Levest patient information leaflet provides detailed information about this drug's side effects, uses and more.
Levest is one of the most affordable options in this combined pill comparison guide, with 3 months of medication costing just £16.99.
Lizinna
Lizinna is a form of combined hormonal contraceptive pill that was prescribed 12,086 times by NHS England between September 2018 and August 2019. As with many of the other pills in this guide, Lizinna should be taken for 21 days and stopped for the next 7 days before resuming the medication from the next packet. For more details see the Lizinna patient information leaflet.
A 3 month supply of Lizinna costs £34.00 from Doctor 4 U, which also includes a free online consultation with a doctor.
Loestrin 20
Between September 2018 and August 2019, NHS England prescribed 104,602 items of Loestrin 20. This combined contraceptive medication should be taken for 21 days followed by days where no pills are taken. Information about this drug can be found on the Loestrin 20 patient information leaflet.
3 months of Loestrin 20 is priced at £19.99 on the Doctor 4 U site, which includes a consultation with a registered doctor.
Loestrin 30
Loestrin 30 contains the same active substances as Loestrin 20, but is slightly stronger, meaning that it may be more likely to cause side effects than it’s weaker version. The dosage instructions for Loestrin 30 are the same as those mentioned above for Loestrin 20, but more detailed information can be found on the Loestrin 30 patient information leaflet. NHS England prescribed 75,595 Loestrin 30 items in the year ending August 2019.
It costs just £19.99 for a 3 month supply of Loestrin 30 and a free online doctor consultation.
Logynon
Logynon featured in 30,916 of NHS England’s prescriptions last year (ending August 2019). It is designed to be taken once a day at approximately the same time each day for 21 days. You should then stop taking these pills for 7 days and then start your next strip. For further information about this pill including side effects, precautions, what to do if you missed a Logynon pill and more, see the Logynon patient information leaflet. As with any of the pills in this combined pill comparison guide, make sure you always take Logynon as your doctor has told you.
Doctor 4 U can provide you with a 3 month supply of Logynon and a doctor's consultation for just £19.99.
Logynon ED
Over the past 12 months (September 2018 - August 2019), NHS England prescribed Logynon ED 4,338 times. The difference between Logynon and Logynon ED is that Logynon ED is designed to be taken every day for 28 days, with no pill-free week. Instead, it contains 7 inactive or ‘dummy’ pills which should be taken after 21 days of taking the active pills. Logynon ED is suitable for those who struggle to remember to restart taking their pills after a pill-free week. For more information, visit the Logynon ED patient information leaflet.
A 3 month supply of Logynon ED costs £19.99 from the Doctor 4 U online pharmacy.
Lucette
159,845 prescriptions for Lucette were written by NHS England between September 2018 and August 2019. Similarly to many of the other combined pills in this list, Lucette should be taken once daily for 21 days and then stopped for 7 days before starting the next strip. Details of how to take Lucette, side effects associated with this drug and more can be found in the Lucette patient information leaflet.
The cost of 3 months worth of Lucette is £24.99 from Doctor 4 U, which includes a free online consultation with a doctor.
Marvelon
Marvelon is a combined contraceptive that was prescribed 63,970 times throughout the last year (ending August 2019). It’s recommended that you take Marvelon at the same time each day for 21 days, then take a 7-day break and restart the next strip. Information about this drug can be found in the Marvelon patient information leaflet, and it’s important to take this medication exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has advised you.
A 3 month supply of Marvelon costs £22.99.
Mercilon
Between September 2018 and August 2019, NHS England prescribed Mercilon 38,364 times. As with the majority of the combined contraceptive pills in this comparison, Mercilon should be taken for 21 days, followed seven pill-free days. You should then restart with the next strip of this medication. More details of how Mercilon should be taken and other important information can be found in the Mercilon patient information leaflet.
The price for 3 months of Mercilon is £24.99 from Doctor 4 U, including a free online doctor consultation.
Microgynon 30
665,123 items containing Microgynon 30 were prescribed between September 2018 and August 2019, making it one of the most popular combined contraceptive pills in this comparison. Microgynon 30 should be taken for 21 days followed by a 7-day break where no pills should be taken. After the break you should resume the medication, starting with the next pill blister pack. Always take this medication exactly how your doctor or pharmacist has told you, and see the Microgynon patient information leaflet for more information.
A 3 month supply of Microgynon 30 costs £19.99 which includes a free online consultation with a doctor.
Microgynon 30 ED
Microgynon 30 and Microgynon 30 ED are the same drugs, the only difference is that Microgynon 30 ED contains 7 inactive ‘dummy’ pills that should be taken during the 7 day break period. This may be useful for those who have previously struggled to remember to start taking their pill again after having a 7-day break. More detailed information about how to take this combined contraceptive pill can be found in the Microgynon 30 ED patient information leaflet. This medication was prescribed 83,520 times by NHS England in the year ending August 2019.
Microgynon 30 ED is the same price as Microgynon 30, costing just £19.99 for a doctor's consultation and 3 months' worth of the pills.
Millinette
Millinette is a type of combined contraceptive pill that was prescribed 37,760 times by NHS England in the last 12 months (ending August 2019). This mediation should be taken for 21 days at around the same time each week. You should then stop taking Millinette for the next 7 days, before restarting a new strip on the 8th day. Details of how to take this medication, side effects of this drug and more can be found in the Millinette patient information leaflet. When taking any combined contraceptive pill, you should always follow instructions from your doctor or pharmacist.
Millinette costs £19.99 for 3 months supply of pills and a doctor's consultation.
Norimin
6,886 prescriptions for Norimin were completed between September 2018 and August 2019 by the NHS England. This medication should be taken for 21 days at around the same time each day, followed by a 7-day break where no pills should be taken. The Norimin patient information leaflet contains important information about this combined contraceptive pill, although you should always follow your doctor’s advice when taking any medication.
Norimin is one of the most affordable types of combined contraceptive pills. A 3 month supply and a free online doctor consultation costs just £17.99 from the Doctor 4 U site.
Norinyl-1
Norinyl-1 can be compared to many of the other combined contraceptive pills in this comparison guide, as it should be taken at around the same time each day for 21 days then stopped for 7 days. You should then start the next blister strip and carry on in this pattern. Details outlining side effects, interactions, and contents of this medication can be viewed on the Norinyl-1 patient information leaflet. Always take this medication exactly as you’ve been instructed by your doctor or pharmacist.
3 months' worth of Norinyl-1 costs just £17.99 from the Doctor 4 U website.
NuvaRing
This form of combined contraception is very different from the other types mentioned in this guide as it comes in the form of a ring as opposed to an oral tablet. The NuvaRing is designed to be put inside the vagina on a specific day during your cycle and then left inside for 3 weeks. After the 3 weeks, you should take the NuvaRing out for 7 days and dispose of it. Once the 7 days are up you should insert another new NuvaRing and continue with this cycle. This form of combined contraception was prescribed 16,010 times by NHS England in the year ending August 2019.
At Doctor 4 U, 3 NuvaRings (lasting a total of 3 months) costs £64.00. This also includes an online consultation with a doctor.
Ovranette
Ovranette was prescribed 30,589 times by NHS England in the 12 months leading up to August 2019. It’s similar to other contraceptive pills in that it should be taken at around the same time every day for 21 days, before having a 7-day break and then continuing with the next strip. You should always take Ovranette exactly as your GP or pharmacist has advised you. For more information about this combined contraceptive pill see the Ovranette patient information leaflet.
This contraceptive pill costs £17.99 for a box that will last for 3 months.
Qlaira
Qlaira is a type of combined contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. NHS England prescribed Qlaira 9,450 times between September 2018 and August 2019. Qlaira is slightly different from other combined contraceptive medications as it contains 26 active tablets and 2 inactive ‘dummy’ pills. You should take this medication around the same time every day. More information on how you should take Qlaira can be found in the Qlaira patient information leaflet but you should always take this medication exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
3 x 1 month packs of Qlaira cost £41.99 at Doctor 4 U and will last 3 months in total.
Rigevidon
1,023,779 prescriptions for Rigevidon were written in the last year (ending August 2019) by the NHS in England, making it the most prescribed form of combined contraceptive pill on our list. This medication contains 21 active pills which should be taken at around the same time each day. After 21 days you should then have a 7-day break between finishing your last blister strip and starting a new one. See the Rigevidon patient information leaflet for more information about this drug and always take as directed by your doctor.
A 3 month supply of Rigevidon costs just £17.99.
Sunya
655 prescriptions for Sunya were written in the last 12 months (ending August 2019) by the NHS in England. This form of birth control should be taken for 21 days, followed by a 7-day pill-free break. The Sunya patient information leaflet contains important information about how this drug should be taken, what side effects it may cause and the possible interactions associated with this drug. As with any medication, you should always take Sunya as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
The Sunya combined contraceptive pill costs £22.99 for a 3 month supply at Doctor 4 U. This also includes a free online consultation with a doctor to assess your suitability to this medication.
Synphase
The NHS in England prescribed Synphase 1,298 times between September 2018 and August 2019. As with many combined pills, Synphase should be taken for 21 days at about the same time each day for full effectiveness. You should then have a 7-day break from the pill and start it again on the 8th day. You’ll be protected from pregnancy throughout the entire month as long as you take Synphase as instructed. The Synphase patient information leaflet will provide more information about this drug, but always remember to take the medication exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
At Doctor 4 U, the price for 3 months of Synphase is £19.99, which includes a free consultation with one of our doctors.
Triadene
Triadine is an oral combined contraceptive, commonly used for birth control in women. This drug should be taken for 21 days and then stopped for 7 days before starting a new blister pack on the 8th day. The Triadene patient information leaflet contains important information about who this medication is and isn’t suitable for, what side effects this drug may have and more. Before taking Triadene, make sure you read this leaflet as well as taking advice from a doctor or pharmacist.
A 3 month supply of Triadene £27.99 and includes a consultation with a regulated online doctor.
TriRegol
9,766 Triregol prescriptions were written in the last 12 months (ending August 2019) by the NHS in England. This medication should be taken for 21 days at around the same time each day and then stopped for 7 days while you have a ‘pill-free week’. You should then start a new strip of TriRegol and continue in this pattern to ensure full protection. More information about this drug can be found on the TriRegol patient information leaflet, but you should also make sure that you speak to a doctor or pharmacist and follow their instructions on how this pill should be taken.
The price for a 3-month pack of TriRegol is £17.99, which also includes a free consultation with an online doctor.
Yasmin
In the last year ending August 2019, NHS England wrote 208,893 prescriptions for the combined oral contraceptive pill Yasmin. This pill should be taken at around the same time each day for 21 days and then stopped for 7 days before starting the next strip. Details of this drug’s side effects, interactions, and dosage instructions are available in the Yasmin patient information leaflet, but you should always follow your doctor's advice and instructions when taking this medication.
Yamin costs £29.99 for a 3 month supply, which also includes a free online consultation with one of Doctor 4 U’s doctors.
Zoely
2,265 prescriptions for Zoely were written in the last year (ending August 2019) by the NHS in England. This medication is different from the majority of the combined contraceptive pills in this comparison as it should be taken every day for 28 days with no break. However, the last 4 pills in the packet are inactive and are coloured yellow so that you can tell the difference. Full instructions on how Zoely should be taken can be found in the Zoely patient information leaflet, as can more information about this drug such as its side effects and precautions. You should always take Zoely exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
A 3 month supply of Zoely costs £34.99 from the Doctor 4 U site and includes a free online consultation with a doctor.
A graph to show the 10 Most Popular Combined Contraceptive Pills (England)
These figures are based on how many items of each drug were prescribed by the NHS in England between September 2018 and August 2019. The prescription data mentioned throughout this article was obtained from openprescribing.net. Unfortunately, we were unable to collect prescription statistics from certain forms of contraception, as some of the data was too limited.
We hope this article has helped you to compare the similarities and differences between some of the most widely prescribed combined contraceptive medications. If you’re still unsure as to which contraception is best for you, why not speak to one of our online doctors? They’re fully registered and offer confidential advice as well as providing you with a prescription for the contraceptive pill that suits you best.
