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Meet Opill

It’s an FDA* approved daily birth control pill available over the counter to be taken at the same time every day. There’s no prescription required. Shop one- and three-month supply packs of Opill online and in store, with CVS® Pickup* or same-day delivery.*

Opill: The first OTC daily birth control pill

Opill is the first and only FDA approved daily birth control pill available over the counter in the US.

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When used as directed, Opill is the most effective form of birth control available without a prescription.

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Opill can be used by most people who can become pregnant,

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including those who cannot take estrogen, such as those who are smokers ages 35 years and older, are breastfeeding, have high blood pressure or have migraines with aura, a type of headache that starts with changes in vision.

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Opill should not be used by individuals who have or have ever had breast cancer.

Each Opill tablet contains 0.075 mg of norgestrel, a progestin hormone.

Opill works in multiple ways. First, Opill causes cervical mucus to thicken, which acts as a barrier that prevents sperm from reaching the egg.

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Second, Opill prevents your ovaries from releasing an egg in some cycles.

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When an egg is not released, pregnancy can't happen because there is no egg to fertilize.

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Opill is 98% effective in preventing pregnancy when used as directed.

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The risk of pregnancy increases if Opill is not taken as directed, such as if pills are missed, so it is important that Opill is taken at the same time daily, no later than 3 hours from the time it was taken the day before.

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When taking Opill, you may experience changes in your menstrual period, like irregular bleeding. To prevent pregnancy, continue taking Opill as directed.

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Please visit Opill.com for additional information and resources.

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*Information on this page is provided by suppliers and has not been independently verified by CVS®. Always review product labels for complete and up-to-date information. Consult your health care provider with any heath-related questions.

Want to know more about Opill?

Opill is 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken as directed at the same time every day. It begins to work within 48 hours after you take your first pill, so keep using a barrier method (like condoms) for the first two days to help prevent pregnancy. If you miss one or more days or if you are three or more hours late taking a pill, also use a barrier method for 48 hours.

Just swallow one pill at the same time every day. Setting reminders is a good way to make sure you don’t miss a pill. Opill comes in one-month supply and three-month supply packages.

You can start your first pack on any day of your cycle. If you’re switching from another oral contraceptive, vaginal ring or patch, start taking Opill the day after you stop the other method. And just a reminder: Like other birth control pills, Opill doesn’t prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Patients should use a condom or other barrier method during intercourse for the next two days after Opill initiation, as it takes two days for Opill to start working.

Opill is suitable for most women and people capable of becoming pregnant.*

Opill is an oral contraceptive that contains only one hormone: norgestrel. This makes Opill suitable for most individuals who can become pregnant, including people who have high blood pressure; who are breastfeeding, perimenopausal or smokers; or who experience migraines.

Unlike many other birth control pills, Opill does not contain estrogen. This is beneficial for people with medical conditions or life circumstances that prevent them from taking estrogen-based contraceptives.

Opill is a progestin-only, daily oral contraceptive (birth-control pill) that’s safe and effective when used as directed to help prevent pregnancy. It’s the only over-the-counter birth control pill available in the United States.

Opill helps prevent pregnancy in women and people who can become pregnant. It’s not an emergency contraceptive (morning-after pill) and won’t prevent pregnancy when started after unprotected sex. It also doesn't protect against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or other STIs.

Opill is a full prescription-strength birth control pill and, when used as directed, is more effective at preventing pregnancy than any other over-the-counter barrier method available. You can find it in the family-planning section of pharmacies, popular retail stores and online. According to a recent study, almost one third of adult women who have tried to get a prescription or refill for a birth control pill, patch or ring have problems obtaining a prescription or refills.* Opill provides a hassle-free and convenient way to prevent unintended pregnancies.

No, you don’t need a prescription from the doctor or pharmacist for Opill. Opill can be purchased over the counter. This means it can be found in the aisles of most major pharmacies nationwide and will be available online.

Opill works by thickening your cervical mucus, which helps to block sperm from getting to an egg. In addition, Opill may prevent ovulation but not in all cycles. You must take it at the same time every day to help prevent pregnancy. Opill is effective from 48 hours after you begin taking it, so keep using a barrier method (like condoms) for the first two days to help prevent pregnancy. If you miss one or more days or if you are three or more hours late taking a pill, also use a barrier method for 48 hours.

Opill is a progestin-only birth control pill (sometimes referred to as a POP or mini pill). Many birth control pills on the market contain a combination of estrogen and progestin. Opill only contains progestin, which means it’s estrogen-free. Like all daily oral contraceptives, Opill should be taken once a day at the same time.

Opill is a birth control pill that is taken every day to help prevent pregnancy. Plan B is an over-the-counter morning-after pill and NOT a regular form of birth control. Plan B is meant to be used within three days of unprotected sex or when other methods of birth control fail.

Opill does not protect against HIV, AIDS or other STIs. Only condoms can protect against STIs.

If you have questions about your contraception options, we're here

Schedule an appointment with MinuteClinic®*

Questions about contraception? Ask a provider. Whether you’re searching for access to the pill, ring, patch or injection, MinuteClinic* makes it as easy and convenient as possible to get birth control from a board-certified nurse practitioner or physician associate in person or virtually.*

Ask our pharmacists

CVS pharmacists can help answer your questions about contraception. Plus, they can also prescribe birth control in some states for eligible patients.* There’s no doctor’s visit required for your initial consultation. Just walk in!

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  • *FOR FDA: Food and Drug Administration.

  • *FOR ORDER PICKUP: Learn more about CVS® Pickup.

  • *FOR SAME-DAY DELIVERY: CVS® Same-Day Delivery is available in as little as three hours for retail orders with an eligible address. Minimum order total required for same-day delivery will be visible upon checkout. Orders must be placed four hours prior to the store's closing time, or by 8 PM for 24 hour stores. If ordering outside of these hours, we will deliver the following day. Some orders may not be eligible for same-day delivery due to delivery address, holidays, weather or other delivery constraints. Customers are not required to be present for deliveries. The delivery window is only an estimate and may be subject to delays. Delivery is not available in all locations, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico. CVS reserves the right to limit the quantity of items ordered for same-day delivery. When your order has been picked up by our trusted courier partner, you will receive an "order is on the way" email (separate from your order confirmation email). After your order has been delivered, we will send an "order is delivered" confirmation email.

  • *FOR OPILL IS SUITABLE FOR MOST WOMEN AND PEOPLE CAPABLE OF BECOMING PREGNANT: If you currently have or have previously had breast cancer or are currently or potentially pregnant, you should not take Opill. Do not use if you have or ever had breast cancer; if you are already pregnant or think you may be pregnant; together with another birth control pill, vaginal ring, patch, implant, injection or intra-uterine device (IUD); or as an emergency contraceptive (morning-after pill). This product does not prevent pregnancy when used after unprotected sex or if you are male. Use as directed.

  • *FOR ONE THIRD OF ADULT WOMEN: Grindlay, Kate, and Daniel Grossman. “Prescription Birth Control Access Among U.S. Women at Risk of Unintended Pregnancy.” Journal of Women's Health vol. 25,3 (2016): 249-54. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5312

  • *FOR MINUTECLINIC: Services and appointment availability may vary by location. Other restrictions apply. See MinuteClinic.com for additional details.

  • *FOR MINUTECLINIC CONTRACEPTIVE CARE SERVICES: In Nebraska, our practitioners provide this service to females 19 years or older.

  • *FOR MINUTECLINIC VIRTUAL CARE: Services and appointment availability may vary. Credit, debit, health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA) cards accepted as well as some forms of insurance. Services not yet available in Alabama and Mississippi.

  • *FOR PHARMACIST-PRESCRIBED BIRTH CONTROL: Prescriptions available only for hormonal birth control contraception. Consultation required and available only when a licensed pharmacist is on duty. Patients must be 18 years or older. Some patients may not be eligible based on current or past health conditions. Some patients may need to consult with their primary care physician or other health care provider to obtain a prescription for birth control. $39 consultation fee covers the cost of the pharmacist consultation. If the pharmacist determines that the patient is eligible, the consultation fee also covers the cost of writing the prescription for hormonal contraception. There may also be an additional cost for the medication that the pharmacist prescribes. Currently, all of our CVS Pharmacy® locations in California, Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin can help you get a birth control prescription.