First Oral Contraceptive Medication Available Without Prescription in the US

Opill, the first over-the-counter contraceptive pill available in the US, shipped out in early March to national drugstores, convenience stores, and supermarkets. The pill is also available online in 3- and 6-month supplies through the company’s website and Amazon. 

Opill is a progestin-only pill meant to be taken daily. This form of contraception was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1973 and, when taken correctly, is 98% effective as soon as 48 hours after a first dose. Headaches, bloating, and cramping are all reported potential side effects. 

"We have been working on it for nine years and got approval in July 2023 from the FDA to move forward,” said Triona Schmelter, an executive at Perrigo, which manufactures Opill. "The progestin-only pill has an extremely high safety profile, and virtually no one can have a health concern using a progestin-only pill," Dr Sarah Prager, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, told NPR in July when Opill was first approved by the FDA.

Perrigo has a patient assistance program to help people without insurance who can't afford Opill. A month’s supply of pills has a recommended retail price of $19.99 and it may be more affordable to buy in bulk. 

CVS says Opill will be available in 7,500 of its pharmacy stores in early April, according to reporting by NPR. 

Reference
Lupkin S. First over-the-counter birth control pill now for sale online. NPR. Published March 18, 2024. Accessed March 28, 2024. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/03/04/1235404522/opill-over-counter-birth-control-pill-contraceptive-shop