BalzivaNorethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol
What is Balziva?
Balziva is a combined birth control pill with a lower dose of progestin than usual, but a regular dose of estrogen. It’s the best choice for women who need a combined pill but get side effects like bloating, loss of sex drive, mood swings and tender breasts when they take higher progestin pills. And it works just like any other pill at preventing pregnancy, with an effectiveness rate of almost 100% if taken correctly.
Balziva is very similar to Briellyn, Philith, Gildagia and Vyfemla. And it’s a lower dose version of Necon, Nortrel and Wera. So if you get side effects with it, or it doesn’t work as well as you’d like when it comes to managing menstrual symptoms, we can help you find another alternative.
How does Balziva work?
The hormones present in Balziva have three main functions.[1] First and foremost, they stop ovulation, and this solely can prevent pregnancy. But Balziva’s mechanism of action doesn’t stop there. It also prevents the build-up of the uterine wall to keep an egg from implanting there, and makes your cervical fluid thicker so sperm can’t get through. These three factors alone will make it very unlikely for you to become pregnant, and your periods might also become lighter as a result.
Keep in mind that missing a pill or more during your cycle and regularly leaving intervals longer than 24 hours in between pills can jeopardize this process and you might become pregnant. That’s why it’s so important to take your pill every day at the same time.
What doses of Balziva are there?
Balziva only comes in one dose and it’s monophasic, meaning that there are 21 active pills and 7 inactive pills in each pack. The 21 active pills contain 0.4mg of norethindrone acetate and 0.035mg of ethinyl estradiol each.
There are a lot of other pills with the same hormones but in a different dose. Some are monophasic too but with a higher dose, and some are higher in progestin and lower in estrogen. You can also get both biphasic and triphasic pills with norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol. So if you get side effects with Balziva, or it doesn’t work well enough when it comes to managing PMS symptoms, there are other options you can try.
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on August 25, 2025. Next review due on August 25, 2028.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
BalzivaNorethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol
How to take Balziva
Your prescriber will explain exactly how you should take it and how to avoid making mistakes, and you should always follow their directions. But there are a few general guidelines you can keep in mind when taking birth control:
Take one pill a day with a glass of water; you don’t need to take it with food
Balziva won’t prevent you from becoming pregnant as soon as you start taking it; it can take up to seven days for you to reach optimum levels of protection. For that reason, you should continue using a barrier method of contraception, such as a condom or spermicide, for the first week of you taking Balziva
It’s very important that you take your pill at the same time every day, as the effectiveness of the hormones lowers if the interval between pills exceeds 24 hours. To make sure that you don’t miss any pills, you should set an alarm on your phone to ring at the same time every day, and always carry the pills with you so you can take them when the alarm rings, even if you’re not at home
How long does it take Balziva to work?
It may take up to a week for Balziva to work in the body effectively, so until then you won’t be completely protected and can become pregnant. For that reason, it’s better to be safe and use a barrier contraception method, such as condoms or spermicide, for the first week after you start a new birth control pill.
What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Balziva?
If you forget to take your pill, you should take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next one, simply skip the one you missed and continue taking one pill a day as usual. Keep in mind that the interval between pills shouldn’t exceed 24 hours, so the effectiveness of the medication might lower if you skip one or more pills, or if you take them later than you should. In that case, you should use a barrier contraception method, such as a condom or spermicide, for the rest of the cycle. If on the other hand you accidentally took more Balziva than you should, don’t worry, you’re likely going to be ok, as there have been no reports of severe adverse effects resulting from taking too much birth control.[1] Vaginal bleeding and nausea are common side effects from birth control overdose, and shouldn’t be cause for alarm. But if your symptoms are severe and persistent, you should seek emergency medical attention.
Treated trusted source:
Dailymed (n.d.). DailyMed. Balziva: norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol kit.
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on August 25, 2025. Next review due on August 25, 2028.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
BalzivaNorethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol
There are some things you need to watch out for when taking Balziva, and not everyone can use it.
Here’s the official safety info. If there’s something you’re not sure about, let us know.
BalzivaNorethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol
Balziva: FAQ
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Is Balziva similar to any other birth control pills?
Answer:
Balziva is essentially the same pill as Briellyn, Philith, Gildagia and Vyfemla. It contains the same hormones at the same doses as all these pills, but it’s made by a different manufacturer, so the appearance of the pills and the packaging may be different, and the price is also likely to change from pill to pill.
There are higher dose versions too, if you’re looking into taking a combination of norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol, but have heavy periods and would benefit more from higher levels of progestin. Nortrel 7/7/7 is a good example for this, if you’re looking to try a triphasic version.
How is Balziva different from other birth control pills?
Answer:
Balziva is a monophasic pill with a low progestin level compared to other pills, and it has a relatively normal estrogen level. So it’s considered a better option for women who experience side effects with pills with higher progestin levels, and who are looking for a combined pill alternative.
How effective is Balziva?
Answer:
Balziva is a very effective form of birth control, with an effectiveness rate of almost 100% when taken correctly.[1] But the effectiveness rate drops slightly if you miss one or more pills during your cycle, or if you regularly take the pill later than you should. The interval between pills shouldn’t exceed 24 hours.
To ensure that the pill is as effective as it can be, you can set an alarm on your phone at the same time every day, and always carry the pills with you to make sure that you take them at the right time, even if you’re not at home.
Do I need a prescription for Balziva?
Answer:
Yes, you need a prescription to get Balziva or any other birth control pill. This is so a clinician can make sure that it’s safe for you to take, and to also recommend which options would be better for your specific health needs and circumstances.
Treated trusted source:
Brynhildsen, J. (2014). Combined hormonal contraceptives: prescribing patterns, compliance, and benefits versus risks. Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, 5(5), pp.201–213.
Last updated on Aug 25, 2025.
How we reviewed this page:
Our experts continually monitor new findings in health and medicine, and we update our articles when new info becomes available.
Why this page was updated on Aug 25, 2025
'Content checked and updated as part of our 3-yearly periodic review, to ensure accuracy and currentness.'
Current version (Aug 25, 2025)
Edited by: The Treated Content Team.Medically reviewed by: Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell, Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer
Aug 01, 2022
Published by: The Treated Content Team.Medically reviewed by: Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell, Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell
Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer
Cristina writes content for Treated, and reviews content produced by our other writers to make sure it’s clinically accurate.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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