Unofficial Guide to Birth Control at the UCLA Arthur Ashe Pharmacy

1. The Ashe Center sells condoms, birth control pills, diaphragms, IUDs, and Plan B, among other birth control methods.  Feel free to make an appointment with a clinician in the Men's or Women's clinic to discuss your safe sex options.

2. If you have SHIP/United Health Care, you can purchase Birth Control Pills at reduced insurance prices (listed below, marked "Need SHIP).  At the beginning over every quarter, in some cases, you can pick up up to four packs of birth control pills at once.  Near the end of the quarter you can only pick up as much as lasts you til the end of the quarter.
   
   

3. The Ashe Center carries some brand name and some generic versions of the same drug; read my notes if you are looking for a name brand.  The generic version is the exact same drug without the name brand label--and usually cheaper.  So choose that.  If Ashe Center only has one version available, that is because it is the best deal UCLA was able to get with the manufacturers.  As you can see, because of the careless asshattery of US Congress, the price of birth control at virtually every college and university has gone up.  To mitigate the problem Ashe tries to carry the cheapest generics possible.
   




4. As you can see, if you do not have SHIP insurance, you can still purchase birth control pills, just at a higher price.
   
   

5. The copayment for the BCP should show up on your monthly URSA BAR Account.

  It will show up on your BAR account as "Ashe Center Pharmacy" or "Student Health Services" but it will NEVER list exactly what it is you paid for.  However, if this is unacceptable for you, there is a special exception that allows students to pay in cash through the Wooden Center.  You can contact SHAC, the Student Health Advisory Committee, if you need help arranging this.



6. Prices are current as of February 15th, 2008.  If you do pick up BC from Ashe, take the time to talk to the "counsel".  You can ask them about side effects and what to do if you miss a pill, etc.  Also, please know that PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE (and will most likely rise), since UCLA will soon have a harder time negotiating these discounts with the pharmaceutical companies.  If this makes you mad, please lobby to fix the problem with the Federal Deficit Reduction Act, which is affecting college students across the entire country.

 

Birth Control	Type	Cost per Pack	Aces Lux's Notes
Aranelle	Generic Pill	$15 with SHIP/ $44.35 without SHIP	Aranelle is the generic version of Tri-Norinyl.  It is a norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol tablet with a reduced amount of progesterone on the third week of the cycle.  Also known as Synphasic.
Apri	Generic Pill	$15 with SHIP/ $34.25 without SHIP	Apri is the generic name for Ortho-Cept, Desogesterel/ethinyl estradiol pills, kind of like Mircette but with a different dosage.  Generically known as Desogen.
Aviane	Generic Pill	$15 with SHIP/ $38.70 without SHIP	Aviane is the generic for Alesse.  Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel.  Can also be used as EC.
Balziva	Generic Pill	$15 with SHIP/ $49.83 without SHIP	Generic version of Ovcon 35 or Loestrin.  Ethinyl Estradiol and Norethindrone  This pill can shorten the length of your period to 3 days!
Cryselle	Generic Pill	$15 with SHIP /$36.78 without SHIP	Generic form of Lo-Ovral (ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel EH). Can also be used as EC.
Diaphragms	Barrier	$30 with SHIP /$54.50 without SHIP	The diaphragm is a barrier method of contraception that does not protect against STDs.  It is a fitted latex cap that covers the cervix.  Check with your women's health care provider for more information.
Errin	Generic Pill	$15 with SHIP /$49.30 without SHIP	Norethindrone (progestin) only pills.  Ashe used to carry a different version of this pill called Micronor.  It's good for women who cannot take estrogen.
Estrostep Fe	Brand Pill	$15 with SHIP /$63.44 without SHIP	Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets.  This pill is unique in that it's graduated dosages of estrogen limit spotting and nausea.  It's placebo pills (pills taken during the period) also contain iron, which is a thoughtful touch (since period=blood loss)
Jolessa	Generic Pill	$45 with SHIP /$165.65 without SHIP	This pill is so expensive because it limits your period to only once every three months.  When you fill a prescription of Jolessa, you are actually getting 3 months worth of pills.  Makes sense, right?  Also known as Seasonale.
Junel Fe	Generic Pill	$15 with SHIP /$34.86 without SHIP	This is the generic version of Estrostep Fe (see above.)  Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets.
Kariva	Generic Pill	$15 with SHIP /$59.07 without SHIP	Basically, Mircette with a name change.  Couple of benefits to this one, including a shortened period and better pregnancy protection.  Desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol.
Kelnor	Generic Pill	$15 with SHIP /$35.80 without SHIP	This is the generic version of Demulen.  Ethinyl Estradiol/Ethynodiol Diacetate.
Loestrin 24 Fe	Brand Pill	$30 with SHIP /$57.32 without SHIP	Like Yaz, Loestrin 24 Fe reduces the period to an average of 3 days.  Not bad.  The Fe stands for Iron, which comes with the placebo pills to supplement your health.  It has a low dose of estrogen.  Ethinyl estradiol norethindrone acetate
Nortrel	Generic Pill	$15 with SHIP /$33-36 without SHIP	Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets. The generic brand of Ortho-Novum.  Norethindrone/ethinyl estradio
NuvaRing	Flexible Hormone Ring	$30 with SHIP /$50.83 without SHIP	Ethinyl estradiol, etonogestrel.  Not actually a pill cycle, but a ring that is left in the vagina for 3 weeks and then taken out and replaced after a fourth.
Ortho Evra	Hormonal Patch	$45 with SHIP /$57.02 without SHIP	This is the Patch (norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol).  It is affixed to your skin and the hormones are absorbed that way.
Orthotricyclen-lo	Brand Pill	$30 with SHIP /$56.08 without SHIP	This is a lower dose version of Orthotricyclen with no generic brand yet.  The company that makes Orthotricyclen-lo, in an attempt to transition Orthotricyclen users and to get more college aged patients on their pills, used to offer a deal to UCLA that has since been rescinded by the Federal Deficit Reduction Act.
Portia	Generic Pill	$15 with SHIP /$37.20 without SHIP	The generic version of Nordette.  Ethinyl Estradiol and Levonorgestrel.  Can be used as EC.
Sprintec	Generic Pill	$15 with SHIP /$35.89 without SHIP	Ethinyl Estradiol and Norgestimate, this is the generic form of Orthocyclen.
Tri-Sprintec	Both	$15 with SHIP /$42.69 without SHIP	The generic of Orthotricyclen is TriSprintec, this ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate cycle of pills is slowly being phased out to make way for it's lower dosage version, Orthotricyclen-Lo.  Often used to reduce acne.  Other generic brands of OTC include Tri-nessa.
Trivora	Generic Pill	$15 with SHIP /$31.35 without SHIP	The generic of Triphasil.  Can be used as EC.  ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel
Velivet	Generic Pill	$15 with SHIP /$38.64 without SHIP	The generic pill of Cyclessa.
Yasmin	Brand Pill	$30 with SHIP /$59.34 without SHIP	ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone.  Yasmin claims to be the #1 brand of birth control pill in the US and worldwide.  The progestin drospirenone may increase potassium levels.
Yaz	Brand Pill	$30 with SHIP /$54.90 without SHIP	ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone.  This is a lower dose version of Yasmin that also shortens your period to approximately 3 days. The progestin drospirenone may increase potassium levels.
Plan B	Brand	$17.75	This is the so called "morning after pill", Emergency Contraception, which can be taken up to 5 days after intercourse.  Despite the costs it is a much safer and healthier idea to be on normal birth control than EC!
Lifestyles Ultra Lubricated	Condoms	$7.03 / a dozen	These are the familiar red condoms that they often hand out in the dorms.  They have extra lubrication on them.
Beyond Seven	Condoms	FREE	These condoms are only lightly lubricated but they are available free throughout Ashe Center in little baskets.  Please don't grab the entire basket all at once!
Astroglide	Lubricant	$7.37	Water-based Lubricant (2 oz. bottle).  Makes everything go a lot smoother.  Also useful for inserting tampons.  A must for anal sex and er, first-timers.