Briellyn is a combined birth control pill. It’s got both estrogen and progestin so if you’re looking for a progestin-only pill, the mini pill might be a better option for you.
Take Briellyn every day. It comes with three weeks of active pills containing hormones and one week of inactive pills, keeping you in your daily habit. When taken consistently, Briellyn is very effective at preventing pregnancy.
Is Briellyn generic?
Yes, Briellyn is a generic version of Ovcon 35 and is made by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. Briellyn and Ovcon 35 are bioequivalent, which is a fancy way of saying they’ve got the same active ingredients in the same amounts. That means they’re both equally effective at preventing pregnancy and have the same interactions and possible side effects.
Since the company that makes them is different, you’re likely to see different packaging and pill colors. The price will also likely be different — generic medications are generally cheaper than their brand-name counterparts.
How Briellyn works
Briellyn changes your hormone levels, which changes how your body prepares for pregnancy every month. The two hormones it contains, norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol, are synthetic versions of the progesterone and estrogen you already have in your body.
When you take hormonal birth control, you’ll be protected from pregnancy in three ways. The hormones stop ovulation, the once-monthly action where your ovaries release an egg. They also impact the lining of your uterus, which normally becomes thicker every month in preparation for the egg. Keeping the lining thin has the bonus effect of making your periods lighter and shorter. Thirdly, the hormones create a physical barrier against sperm by changing the consistency of your cervical fluid to something more difficult to swim through. Hey, whatever works, right?
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
BriellynNorethindrone Acetate/Ethinyl Estradiol
How to take Briellyn
To keep your protection level as high as possible, you’ll want to take Briellyn at the same time every day. Pick out a time that’s convenient for you before starting your pack, so you’re not having to use a back-up birth control like condoms to adjust the time. Noon can be a good time — chances are you’re awake (early-morning pills are a bummer on weekends) and hopefully not too busy. You can take Briellyn with food but you don’t need to. Water is fine. It’s possible you’ll experience a bit of nausea when starting to take hormonal birth control, though, so try Briellyn with a small meal or a snack if that happens to you. Your pack has three weeks of active pills and one week of inactive pills, which will be different colors. Take the whole pack before starting a new one.
What is the effectiveness of Briellyn?
Briellyn is around 99% effective when taken “perfectly,” which means at the same time, every day. Taking your pill late or missing a pill lowers how protected you are, which is why it’s so important to pick a schedule that works for you and stick with it. Don’t fancy taking a pill every day? We carry other hormonal birth control methods like the ring and the patch, which require a bit less maintenance. (Once a month and once a week, respectively.)
I missed a Briellyn pill. Now what?
It happens to the best of us. If you miss a pill, it’s important that you get back on track as quickly as possible. That can mean taking two pills in a day or using a back-up method of birth control like condoms until your protection is restored. Instructions on what to do if you miss a pill are in the package insert that comes with your medication. If you’ve missed a pill and are worried, you can also get in touch with a doctor through the chat feature in your Treated account.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
BriellynNorethindrone Acetate/Ethinyl Estradiol
BriellynNorethindrone Acetate/Ethinyl Estradiol
Briellyn: FAQ
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
What dosage is Briellyn?
Answer:
Briellyn contains .4mg of norethindrone acetate (a progestin) and .035mg of ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). You might also see the second number written as 35mcg, or micrograms. The last seven pills are inactive and don’t contain any hormones.
There are other birth control pills which have these same ingredients as Briellyn in the same amounts. They include Balziva, Ovcon 35, Zenchent, Philith, Gildagia and Vyfemia.
There are also a lot of birth control pills that contain norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol, but in different amounts. Some well-known names from this list include Loestrin Fe and Microgestin Fe, which are monophasic pills. That means they’ve got the same hormone dose in all their active pills. Ortho-Novum is a triphasic pill with norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol. It’s got different amounts (phases) of the two hormones throughout the month. Finally, there’s Lo Loestrin Fe, which has the lowest daily dose of estrogen available.
Let the doctor know you’re interested in learning more about the dosage of your birth control pill during your consultation. They can help you find a pill that meets your needs.
What’s in the inactive pills?
Answer:
Good question. Short answer. The inactive pills in your Briellyn pack contain only lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, pregelatinized starch and talc.
What ingredients are in Briellyn?
Answer:
The active ingredients in Briellyn (read: the hormones) are norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol. Norethindrone acetate is a progestin and ethinyl estradiol is an estrogen — that’s what makes Briellyn a “combined” pill.
There are other birth control pills that contain these same ingredients, either in the same amounts or in different ones. Pills that are bioequivalent to Briellyn include Balziva, Ovcon 35, Zenchent, Philith, Gildagia and Vyfemia.
There are also birth control pills that contain different proportions of norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol. Some of these have different doses of hormones throughout the month (Ortho-Novum), include an iron supplement in the inactive pills (Microgestin Fe) or contain the lowest daily dose of estrogen available (Lo Loestrin Fe).
Briellyn vs Balziva: which is better?
Answer:
Briellyn and Balziva have the same ingredients in the same amounts. In medical terms, they’re bioequivalent. They’ll protect you against pregnancy in the same way, have the same possible side effects and interact with the same medications. Briellyn is made by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and Balziva is usually made by Teva.
The differences between these two are in their active ingredients, packaging and possibly price. Picking one over the other really depends on you, and your doctor.
Can Briellyn birth control cause weight gain?
Answer:
There haven’t been any studies that link birth control pills (including Briellyn) with weight gain. However, it’s possible that you’ll experience bloating or a change in appetite, which can impact the number on the scale. These side effects shouldn’t be uncomfortable or interfering with your quality of life.
If Briellyn is causing bloating or an appetite change that is severe and not going away as your body gets used to the hormones, talk to the doctor. They’ll be able to advise you, which will likely include switching to a different medication. Not every birth control is perfect for every body, but we’ll help you find one that’s right for you.
Why should I buy Briellyn with Treated?
Answer:
Briellyn and other hormonal birth control is only available by prescription. That used to mean calling your doctor, taking time out of your day for an appointment and then making a separate trip to the pharmacy. At Treated, we think that’s a lot of work for something so important.
We’re a monthly (or quarterly, or however often you need) service that helps you take control of your health, by taking the hassle out of getting your birth control. Take our online consultation to see if Briellyn is right for you. A licensed doctor will review your info and make birth control recommendations. Once you’ve selected what you’d like from your options, your prescription is sent to our preferred pharmacy and they’ll send it to you in the mail. That’s it.
And if you want to change your refill frequency, pause or cancel your subscription or try out another type of birth control, it’s easy to do from your Treated account.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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