An authorized generic of Cyclessa was sold before, but it isn’t sold now. Ask your pharmacist whether a regular generic (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol) is available.
Source: FDA, updated October 30, 2026
Generic name: desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol
Used for: Preventing pregnancy (birth control)
Ask for the cash price
Generic desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol
No pharmacy we check posts a price for it.
A regular generic has the same active ingredient as Cyclessa, and the FDA requires it to work the same way.
Details for each option
Cyclessa itself isn’t sold as a prescription anymore. Its generic versions, if any, are in the other tabs.
An authorized generic of Cyclessa was sold before, but it isn’t sold now. Ask your pharmacist whether a regular generic (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol) is available.
Source: FDA, updated October 30, 2026
One company sells a generic of Cyclessa that the FDA rates a substitute. A pharmacy fills whichever one it stocks. To get a certain maker, ask for it by name; most pharmacies can order it in a day or two.
Has lactose · Has dyes: FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 6 · Sold as Velivet Triphasic Regimen · Made by Duramed Pharmaceuticals Inc Sub Barr Laboratories
| Package | NDC |
|---|---|
| Carton of 3 | 0555-9051-67 |
Inactive ingredients: silicon dioxide, hypromellose 2910 (3 mpa.s), hypromellose 2910 (6 mpa.s), lactose monohydrate, polyethylene glycol 400, polyethylene glycol 8000, polysorbate 80, povidone k30, starch, corn, stearic acid, titanium dioxide, alpha-tocopherol, ferric oxide red, ferric oxide yellow, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 6, anhydrous lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose
Who sells it: FDA and Medicaid records, updated weekly. Each maker’s page, card and program is from its own site.
CYCLESSA® Tablets (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets USP) is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use this product as a method of contraception. Oral contraceptives are highly effective. Table 2 lists the typical unintended pregnancy rates for users of combination oral contraceptives and other methods of contraception. The efficacy of these contraceptive methods, except sterilization, the IUD, and implants, depends upon the reliability with which they are used. Correct and consistent use of these methods can result in lower failure rates.
TABLE 2: PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN EXPERIENCING AN UNINTENDED PREGNANCY DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF TYPICAL USE AND THE FIRST YEAR OF PERFECT USE OF CONTRACEPTION AND THE PERCENTAGE CONTINUING USE AT THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR, UNITED STATES.
% of Women Experiencing an Unintended Pregnancy within the First Year of Use Method Chance§ Spermicides¶ Periodic abstinence Calendar Ovulation Method Sympto-Thermal# Post-Ovulation
Typical Use†
Perfect Use‡
% of Women Continuing Use at One Year*
Withdrawal
Cap Þ Parous Women
Nulliparous Women
Sponge Parous Women
Nulliparous Women
DiaphragmÞ
Condom β Female (Reality)
Male
Pill
Progestin Only
Combined
IUD Progesterone T
Copper T 380A
LNg 20
Depo-Provera
Norplant and Norplant-2
Female sterilization
Male sterilization
Emergency Contraceptive Pills: Treatment initiated within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse reduces
risk of pregnancy by at least 75%.à Lactational Amenorrhea Method: LAM is a highly effective, temporary method of contraception.è Source: Trussell J, Stewart F, Contraceptive Efficacy. In Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Stewart F, Cates W, Stewart GK, Kowal D, Guest F, Contraceptive Technology: Seventeenth Revised Edition. New York, NY: Irvington Publishers, 1998.
year Among typical couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time), the percentage who experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other reason ‡ Among couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time) and who use it perfectly (both consistently and correctly), the percentage who experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other reason à The treatment schedule is one dose within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse and a second dose 12 hours after the first dose. The Food and Drug Administration has declared the following brands of oral contraceptives to be safe and effective for emergency contraception: Ovral® (1 dose is 2 white pills), Alesse® (1 dose is 5 pink pills), Nordette® or Levlen® (1 dose is 2 light orange pills), Lo/Ovral ® (1 dose is 4 white pills), Triphasil® or Tri-Levlen® (1 dose is 4 yellow pills) è However, to maintain effective protection against pregnancy, another method of contraception must be used as soon as menstruation resumes, the frequency or duration of breastfeeds is reduced, bottle feeds are introduced or the baby reaches six months of age
Source: the FDA label for Cyclessa (Aspen Global Inc), April 29, 2022. Full label from the FDA (PDF)
Prices change: confirm with the pharmacy before you fill. drugalt.com/drug/cyclessa/