Birth Control Pill Names by Country
Same formulation, different brand names worldwide · Based on FDA, EMA, PMDA, MFDS, and national drug databases · Last updated March 2026
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Pill availability may change. Always consult a local healthcare provider or pharmacist.
The same birth control pill is often sold under completely different names in different countries. This can be confusing when traveling, moving abroad, or searching for information online. This guide maps equivalent pills across 10 countries.
OTC = No prescription needed
Rx = Prescription required
-- = Not available
Combined pills: Low dose (EE 20 mcg)
EE 20 mcg + Drospirenone 3 mg 4th gen
| US |
Korea |
Germany |
UK |
France |
Japan |
China |
Hong Kong |
Thailand |
Vietnam |
| Yaz, Gianvi, Loryna |
야즈 (Yaz) Rx |
Yasminelle Rx |
Eloine Rx |
Jasminelle Rx |
ヤーズ (Yaz) Rx |
优思悦 (Yousiyue) OTC |
Yaz OTC |
Yaz OTC |
Yaz OTC |
EE 20 mcg + Desogestrel 150 mcg 3rd gen
| US |
Korea |
Germany |
UK |
France |
Japan |
China |
Hong Kong |
Thailand |
Vietnam |
| Kariva, Mircette |
머시론 (Mercilon) OTC |
Mercilon Rx |
Mercilon, Gedarel 20/150 Rx |
Mercilon, Desobel 20 Rx |
Not available |
美欣乐 (Mercilon) OTC |
Mercilon OTC |
Mercilon 21 OTC |
Mercilon OTC |
EE 20 mcg + Gestodene 75 mcg 3rd gen
| US |
Korea |
Germany |
UK |
France |
Japan |
China |
Hong Kong |
Thailand |
Vietnam |
| Not available |
멜리안 (Meliane) OTC |
Logest Rx |
Femodette, Millinette 20/75 Rx |
Meliane, Harmonet Rx |
Not available |
Not available |
Harmonet OTC |
Meliane OTC |
Not available |
EE 20 mcg + Levonorgestrel 100 mcg 2nd gen
| US |
Korea |
Germany |
UK |
France |
Japan |
China |
Hong Kong |
Thailand |
Vietnam |
| Alesse |
에이리스 (Alesse) OTC |
Miranova Rx |
Limited |
Leeloo, Optilova Rx |
Not available |
Not available |
Not available |
Miranova OTC |
Not available |
Combined pills: Regular dose (EE 30-35 mcg)
EE 30 mcg + Drospirenone 3 mg 4th gen
| US |
Korea |
Germany |
UK |
France |
Japan |
China |
Hong Kong |
Thailand |
Vietnam |
| Yasmin, Ocella |
야스민 (Yasmin) Rx |
Yasmin, Petibelle Rx |
Yasmin, Lucette Rx |
Jasmine Rx |
Not available |
优思明 (Yasmin) OTC |
Yasmin OTC |
Yasmin OTC |
Limited |
EE 30 mcg + Desogestrel 150 mcg 3rd gen
| US |
Korea |
Germany |
UK |
France |
Japan |
China |
Hong Kong |
Thailand |
Vietnam |
| Desogen, Apri |
센스데이 (Sensday) OTC |
Marvelon Rx |
Marvelon, Gedarel 30/150 Rx |
Varnoline, Desobel 30 Rx |
マーベロン (Marvelon) Rx |
妈富隆 (Marvelon) OTC |
Marvelon OTC |
Marvelon OTC |
Marvelon OTC |
EE 30 mcg + Levonorgestrel 150 mcg 2nd gen
| US |
Korea |
Germany |
UK |
France |
Japan |
China |
Hong Kong |
Thailand |
Vietnam |
| Nordette, Portia |
미니보라 (Minivlar) OTC |
Microgynon 30 Rx |
Microgynon 30, Rigevidon, Levest Rx |
Minidril, Ludeal Rx |
Not as monophasic |
Not available |
Microgynon 30, Nordette OTC |
Nordette, AnNa OTC |
Nordette, Rigevidon OTC |
EE 30 mcg + Gestodene 75 mcg 3rd gen
| US |
Korea |
Germany |
UK |
France |
Japan |
China |
Hong Kong |
Thailand |
Vietnam |
| Not available |
마이보라 (Myvora) OTC |
Femoden Rx |
Femodene, Katya, Millinette 30/75 Rx |
Minulet Rx |
Not available |
Not available |
Limited |
Gynera, Minulet OTC |
Not available |
EE 35 mcg + Cyproterone acetate 2 mg 4th gen
| US |
Korea |
Germany |
UK |
France |
Japan |
China |
Hong Kong |
Thailand |
Vietnam |
| Not available |
다이안느35 (Diane-35) Rx |
Diane-35, Bella HEXAL Rx |
Dianette, Co-Cyprindiol Rx |
Diane 35, Holgyeme, Minerva Rx |
Not available |
达英-35 (Diane-35) OTC |
Diane-35 OTC |
Diane-35 OTC |
Diane-35 OTC |
Progestin-only pills (mini-pills)
Desogestrel 75 mcg 3rd gen
| US |
Korea |
Germany |
UK |
France |
Japan |
China |
Hong Kong |
Thailand |
Vietnam |
| Not available |
Not available |
Cerazette, Desirett Rx |
Cerazette, Cerelle, Hana OTC |
Cerazette, Optimizette Rx |
Not available |
Not available |
Cerazette (limited) Rx |
Cerazette OTC |
Not available |
Drospirenone 4 mg 4th gen
| US |
Korea |
Germany |
UK |
France |
Japan |
China |
Hong Kong |
Thailand |
Vietnam |
| Slynd |
Not available |
Slinda Rx |
Slynd Rx |
Slinda Rx |
スリンダ (Slinda) Rx |
Not available |
Not available |
Not available |
Not available |
Norethindrone 0.35 mg 1st gen
| US |
Korea |
Germany |
UK |
France |
Japan |
China |
Hong Kong |
Thailand |
Vietnam |
| Camila, Errin, Heather |
Not available |
Micronovum Rx |
Noriday Rx |
Limited |
Not available |
Not available |
Not available |
Not available |
Not available |
Key insights by country
Japan
All oral contraceptives require a prescription (~3,000 yen/month, not insurance-covered for contraception). Japan has the most limited selection -- no gestodene, cyproterone acetate, or norgestimate pills. Japan approved its first progestin-only pill (Slinda) in June 2025.
China
Only about 5 brands are widely available, all OTC: Yasmin (优思明), Yaz (优思悦), Diane-35 (达英-35), Marvelon (妈富隆), and Mercilon (美欣乐). No progestin-only pills. Available at pharmacies and delivery apps like Meituan.
Hong Kong
Most pills are available OTC at Watsons and Mannings. Broader selection than China or Japan, including gestodene pills (Harmonet). About 20 registered brands.
Thailand
The widest variety and lowest cost of any country studied. All pills are OTC, including gestodene pills, Cerazette, and local brands like AnNa. Prices range from 60-300 baht (~$2-10/month).
Vietnam
No prescription required. Major international brands (Yaz, Marvelon, Mercilon, Diane-35) are available alongside local brands like Embevin 28. International brands can be harder to find outside major cities.
Europe (Germany, UK, France)
All pills require a prescription. Each country has its own brand names -- Yasmin is called Jasmine in France, Petibelle in Germany. The UK recently made desogestrel POPs available OTC (Hana, Lovima). Gestodene pills are widely available across Europe but not in the US.
Korea
2nd and 3rd generation pills are available OTC (일반의약품), while 4th generation pills like Yaz and Yasmin require a prescription (전문의약품). See the pill hormone comparison guide for a detailed Korean market breakdown.
Availability and prescription requirements may change. This data was compiled from national drug databases, medical databases, and pharmacy sources. Always verify with a local pharmacist.
Sources
- FDA - US Approved Drug Products
- EMA - European Medicines Agency Product Information
- PMDA (Japan) - Approved Drug Information
- MFDS (Korea) - 식약처 의약품통합정보시스템
- UK Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc)
- Gynopedia - Country-by-country contraception guides
- Savvy Tokyo - Birth Control in Japan
- SmartShanghai - Birth Control in China
- Healthy Matters HK - Birth Control in Hong Kong
- Wikipedia - Ethinylestradiol/drospirenone brand names
- Wikipedia - Ethinylestradiol/gestodene brand names