Kelnor 1 35, Zovia 1 35, Ethynodiol Diacetate Ethinyl Estradiol, Kelnor 1 50

Introduction

Written by Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh
Updated on March 5, 2024

Kelnor is a branded-generic medication that’s prescribed to help prevent pregnancy. Kelnor does not come in a brand-name version. The cost of Kelnor with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Read on to learn about Kelnor and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about Kelnor, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

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Cost of Kelnor

Like other medications, the cost of Kelnor can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use  
• the quantity prescribed

To find out how much Kelnor costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for Kelnor” section.

Coupons for Kelnor

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Kelnor. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for Kelnor

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization: If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of Kelnor. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Kelnor. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re taking Kelnor long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand names

Kelnor is a branded-generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Usually, generic drugs are referred to by the name of their active ingredients. But branded-generic drugs, such as Kelnor, are given a propriety name by the drugmaker. Kelnor is based on the brand-name version Zovia, which is no longer available.

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version(s).

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about generic and brand-name medications.

Common questions about Kelnor and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Kelnor.  

How does the cost of Kelnor compare with the cost of other similar drugs, such as Aubra EQ?

The cost of Kelnor and other birth control drugs, such as Aubra EQ, depends on numerous factors. These include insurance coverage, if you have any, the pharmacy you use, and whether you get a 90-day supply of the drug.

It’s important to note that the active ingredients of other birth control medications may differ from the active ingredients in Kelnor. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Be sure to discuss with your doctor which birth control option may be best for you.

To find out how much Kelnor may cost compared with other birth control drugs, talk with your insurance provider or pharmacist.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about Kelnor

This article provides cost information related to Kelnor. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for Kelnor.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Is Kelnor covered by my insurance?
• What are my options if I can’t afford Kelnor?
• Are there lower cost drugs that could be used to help prevent pregnancy?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   
• Kelnor 1/35 (28 day regimen)(ethynodiol diacetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets USP). (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/cfa297a6-1cc7-4751-b8ea-0e57965f1ca9/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.