What it's used for
This medication is used as an oral contraceptive to prevent pregnancy in women who choose this method of birth control.
Source: U.S. FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA).
Typical dosing
To achieve maximum effectiveness, tablets must be taken exactly as directed at intervals not exceeding 24 hours.
Dosing shown here is the general FDA-labeled range. Your prescribing clinician determines the exact dose, form, and schedule for you — this is not a substitute for medical advice.
Boxed warning / key safety info
The use of oral contraceptives is associated with increased risks of serious conditions like blood clots, stroke, and heart attack in the presence of underlying risk factors.
Common side effects
Serious adverse reactions associated with oral contraceptives include blood clots, stroke, heart attack, and gallbladder disease.
Covered strengths on the Tab $0 list
Covered at $0 with an active Tab membership when filled at a participating pharmacy nationwide or through mail order. A licensed clinician must prescribe the medication.
Related medications
Other birth control & women's health medications covered at $0 with an active Tab membership.
Desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol cost without insurance
Cash prices for Desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol without insurance vary widely by pharmacy, strength and quantity — the same prescription can cost very different amounts at two pharmacies in the same town. That is the problem a membership solves.
Desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol is on Tab's covered $0 generic list. With an active Tab membership, every covered strength is $0 — not a percentage off, not a coupon that changes month to month — at participating pharmacies nationwide or through mail order. You do not need insurance, and Tab works whether or not you have a health plan.
Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications require a prescription from a licensed clinician.
Desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol dosage and administration
To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, Kariva ® must be taken exactly as directed and at intervals not exceeding 24 hours. Kariva ® may be initiated using either a Sunday start or a Day 1 start. NOTE: Each cycle pack dispenser is preprinted with the days of the week, starting with Sunday, to facilitate a Sunday start regimen. Six different “day label strips” are provided with each cycle pack dispenser in order to accommodate a Day 1 start regimen. In this case, the patient should place the self-adhesive “day label strip” that corresponds to her starting day over the preprinted days. IMPORTANT: The possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of use of Kariva ® should be considered. The use of Kariva ® for contraception may be initiated 4 weeks postpartum in women who elect not to breastfeed.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Your prescribing clinician decides the exact dose, form and schedule for you — this is not medical advice.
Desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol side effects
An increased risk of the following serious adverse reactions has been associated with the use of oral contraceptives (see WARNINGS section): Thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosis with or without embolism Arterial thromboembolism Pulmonary embolism Myocardial infarction Cerebral hemorrhage Cerebral thrombosis Hypertension Gallbladder disease Hepatic adenomas or benign liver tumors Post Marketing Experience Five studies that compared breast cancer risk between ever-users (current or past use) of COCs and never-users of COCs reported no association between ever use of COCs and breast cancer risk, with effect estimates ranging from 0.90 to 1.12 (Figure 2) (64 to 68). Three studies compared breast cancer risk between current or recent COC users (<6 months since last use) and never users of COCs (Figure 2) (64, 67, 69).
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. This is not a complete list. Report side effects to your clinician, and seek care for anything severe or unexpected.
Who should not take desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol
Oral contraceptives should not be used in women who currently have the following conditions: Thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders A past history of deep vein thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders Cerebral vascular or coronary artery disease Current diagnosis of, or history of, breast cancer, which may be hormone-sensitive Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding Cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy or jaundice with prior pill use Hepatic adenomas or carcinomas Are receiving Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to the potential for ALT elevations (see WARNINGS, Risk of Liver Enzyme Elevations with Concomitant Hepatitis C Treatment )
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Whether this medication is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made by your prescribing clinician.
Common questions
Is desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol covered at $0 with Tab?
Yes. Desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol is on Tab's covered $0 generic list — every covered strength is $0 with an active membership, at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
Do I need insurance to get desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol through Tab?
No. Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications are $0 with an active membership whether or not you have a health plan.
How do I get a desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol prescription with Tab?
Book a video visit with a licensed Tab clinician (unlimited visits are included with membership). If it's clinically appropriate, they send the prescription to your chosen participating pharmacy or by mail order.
How much does desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol cost without insurance?
Without insurance, retail cash prices for desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol vary by pharmacy, strength and quantity. Desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol is on Tab's covered $0 generic list, so every covered strength is $0 with an active Tab membership at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
What is the cheapest way to get desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?
For medications on Tab's covered list, a Tab membership is the cheapest route: covered strengths of desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol are $0 with an active membership, and unlimited video visits with a licensed clinician are included, so the visit that produces the prescription is covered too.
What is the usual dose of desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?
To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, Kariva ® must be taken exactly as directed and at intervals not exceeding 24 hours. Kariva ® may be initiated using either a Sunday start or a Day 1 start. NOTE: Each cycle pack dispenser is preprinted with the days of the week, starting with Sunday, to facilitate a Sunday start regimen. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Your clinician sets your dose.)
What are the side effects of desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?
An increased risk of the following serious adverse reactions has been associated with the use of oral contraceptives (see WARNINGS section): Thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosis with or without embolism Arterial thromboembolism Pulmonary embolism Myocardial infarction Cerebral hemorrhage Cerebral thrombosis Hypertension Gallbladder disease Hepatic adenomas or benign liver tumors Post Marketing Experience Five studies that compared breast cancer risk between ever-users (current or past use) of COCs and never-users of COCs reported no association between ever use of COCs and breast cancer risk, with effect estimates ranging from 0.90 to 1.12 (Figure 2) (64 to 68). (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15.)
Desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol is $0 on the covered list
Members pay $0 for covered generics at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order — plus unlimited virtual primary care, urgent care and dermatology visits. No insurance needed.
Solo $49/mo · Family $119/mo for up to 4 people · Family+ $149/mo for up to 8
Start your membership → Compare plansTab is a membership and prescription-discount program, not insurance. A licensed clinician must prescribe any medication. Cancel anytime — no renewal.