Levonorgestrel + Ethinylestradiol (combined pill) 0.15 mg + 0.03 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Regular contraception (the combined oral pill) – prevents pregnancy mainly by stopping ovulation; Making periods lighter, more regular and less painful.
Listed MRPs range from ₹0.18 to ₹3.24 per tablet across 8 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethinylestradiol 0.03mg and Levonorgestrel 0.15mg Tablets IPJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 21 | ₹35.00 | ₹1.67 | 19 October 2026 |
| Mala D | Deys Medical | 28 | ₹5.00 | ₹0.18 | 19 October 2026 |
| Bandhan | Zydus Cadila | 21 | ₹20.80 | ₹0.99 | 19 October 2026 |
| Suvida | Eskag Pharma Pvt Ltd | 28 | ₹43.00 | ₹1.54 | 19 October 2026 |
| T-Pill 21 | BestoChem Formulations India Ltd | 21 | ₹57.30 | ₹2.73 | 19 October 2026 |
| Unwanted 21 Days | Mankind Pharma Ltd | 21 | ₹67.00 | ₹3.19 | 19 October 2026 |
| Ovipauz L | Maneesh Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 21 | ₹67.73 | ₹3.23 | 19 October 2026 |
| Ovral L | Pfizer Ltd | 21 | ₹68.08 | ₹3.24 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Regular contraception (the combined oral pill) – prevents pregnancy mainly by stopping ovulation.
- Making periods lighter, more regular and less painful.
- Some cases of endometriosis, PCOS-related irregular periods and acne, when a doctor prescribes it.
How to take it
Take one tablet at the same time every day, with or without food. A 21-day pack is taken for 21 days followed by a 7-day gap during which you get a withdrawal bleed; a 28-day pack (like Mala D) has 7 iron or placebo tablets so you take one tablet every day without a gap. Start on the first day of your period for immediate protection; if you start on any other day use condoms for the first 7 days. If you vomit within a few hours or have severe diarrhoea, the pill may not be absorbed – use a backup method. Do not stop in the middle of a pack. The pill does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. See a doctor before starting if you smoke, are over 35, have migraines with aura, high blood pressure, or a history of blood clots.
Side effects
Common
- Nausea, headache, breast tenderness.
- Spotting or bleeding between periods in the first months.
- Mood changes, bloating, slight weight change.
- Dark patches on the face (melasma) – use sun protection.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Blood clot – sudden chest pain, breathlessness, swelling or pain in one leg – emergency.
- Stroke signs – sudden severe headache, weakness or numbness on one side, trouble speaking or seeing.
- Liver problems – yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, severe stomach pain.
- A new breast lump, or very heavy bleeding lasting more than 7 days.
Safety information
Alcohol
Alcohol does not reduce the pill's effect, but vomiting after heavy drinking can. If you vomit within a few hours of a tablet, treat it as a missed pill.
Pregnancy
Do not take it if you are already pregnant – stop and see a doctor if you think you are. It is generally avoided in the first 6 weeks after delivery and while breastfeeding; progestogen-only options are preferred then.
Kidney problems
Tell your doctor about kidney disease, especially with high blood pressure.
Liver problems
Do not use with active liver disease or liver tumours. Tell your doctor about jaundice in the past.
Children
For use after periods have started, when prescribed; not for girls before puberty.
Missed dose
If you miss one tablet, take it as soon as you remember (even two in one day) and continue. If you miss two or more, take the last missed one, continue the pack, use condoms for 7 days and ask your doctor or pharmacist about emergency contraception if you had sex in the previous days.
Interactions
- Rifampicin and rifabutin (TB medicines) – make the pill fail; use another method.
- Epilepsy medicines – carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, topiramate – reduce the pill's effect.
- Some HIV medicines – may reduce effectiveness.
- St John's wort – reduces effectiveness; avoid.
- Antibiotics like amoxicillin do not reduce the pill's effect, but vomiting or diarrhoea from them can.
- Lamotrigine – the pill lowers its levels; tell your neurologist.
Frequently asked questions
How do I take Ovral L for the first time?
Start on the first day of your period and take one tablet daily for 21 days, then stop for 7 days during which you bleed, and begin the next pack on the 8th day. If you start on another day, use condoms for the first 7 days.
Is Ovral L the same as an i-pill?
No. Ovral L is a regular daily contraceptive pill. The i-pill or Unwanted 72 is a single emergency dose of levonorgestrel taken after unprotected sex. Do not use Ovral L as an emergency pill on your own.
What if I miss one Ovral L tablet?
Take it as soon as you remember, even if that means two tablets in one day, and carry on. Missing two or more tablets means you may not be protected – use condoms for 7 days and ask a doctor or pharmacist about emergency contraception.
Mala D vs Ovral L – what is the difference?
Both contain levonorgestrel 0.15 mg and ethinylestradiol 0.03 mg. Mala D is the government-programme 28-day pack with 7 iron tablets so you take one every day; Ovral L is a 21-day pack followed by a 7-day gap.
Does the combined pill cause weight gain?
Some women notice bloating or a small change in weight in the first months, but studies have not shown large weight gain from the pill. Talk to your doctor if it is troubling you.
Can I take Ovral L if I smoke?
Smoking with the combined pill raises the risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke, especially over 35. Tell your doctor; a progestogen-only method may be safer.
Can I take Unwanted 21 Days with alcohol?
Alcohol itself does not reduce the pill's effect. But if you vomit within a few hours of taking the tablet, it may not be absorbed – treat it as a missed pill.
Can I use the pill while breastfeeding?
Combined pills are usually avoided in the first 6 weeks after delivery and while breastfeeding because the oestrogen can reduce milk. Ask your doctor about progestogen-only pills or other methods.
Can I skip my period with Ovral L?
Some women take packs back to back without the 7-day gap to delay a period, for example during travel or exams. Ask your doctor first, and expect some spotting.
Is Ovral L available without prescription in India?
It is a Schedule H medicine and should be started after a doctor checks your blood pressure and medical history, though it is widely dispensed at chemists. A check-up before starting is strongly advised.
Sources
- MedlinePlus – Estrogen and Progestin (Oral Contraceptives) (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms