What is Mili: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 19, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Mili is a prescription combination birth control pill. 21 active tablets contain ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate to prevent pregnancy. Seven inert pills are taken at the end of the cycle to bring on withdrawal bleeding similar to a menstrual period. A low-estrogen triphasic version is available as Tri-Lo-Mili.

Mili overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Mili

Generic Names:

  • Norgestimate-ethinyl estradiol

Uses:

  • Prevents pregnancy.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Oral contraceptive, monophasic contraceptive combination

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Mili used for?

Women of reproductive age use Mili to prevent pregnancy. Healthcare providers may prescribe it off-label for other conditions.

What form(s) does Mili come in

  • Tablet

    • 0.25 mg norgestimate / 0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol

What are common Mili doses?

  • For the prevention of pregnancy: One tablet daily for 28 days

Common Mili prescriptions

  • Mili
    1 package (28 tablets), 0.25-35mg-mcg disp pack

How to take Mili

  • Please read and follow the Instructions for Use that come with this medicine.

  • Take one pill daily at the same time each day. Do not miss doses.

    • There are 21 dark blue tablets containing active ingredients and seven inert green tablets. Take all the tablets in the blister pack, including the inert tablets.

    • Take the first tablet (number 1) on the day your period starts or the first Sunday after your period starts.

    • If you are taking Mili after using another form of birth control, take the first pill on the day you would have started a new blister pack, replaced a vaginal ring or patch, or the day an implant or IUD is removed.

    • Each tablet has a number assigned to it on the blister pack. Take each tablet in order.

    • Take tablets at the same time each day with or without food.

    • Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

    • When the last pill is taken, take the first dark blue pill in the next pack the next day.

    • Take the first pill of a new blister pack on the same day of the week each cycle.

  • If you vomit or have diarrhea three to four hours after taking a Mili tablet, take a dark blue pill from the extra blister pack.

    • If you don’t have an extra blister pack, take the next dark blue pill in the blister pack. Continue through the rest of the blister pack in order.

  • If you vomit or have diarrhea for more than one day. Use additional birth control measures until you contact the prescriber.

  • Store Mili at room temperature in the original carton.

What to do if you miss a dose of Mili

What to do if you miss a dose of Mili?

  • Do not miss doses. Missed doses increase the risk of pregnancy.

  • If a dark blue pill is missed:

    • Take it when remembered. Take the next dose at its regular time.

    • You can take two doses in a single day to make up for the missed pill. 

    • You are not at risk of getting pregnant and don’t need to use backup birth control.

  • If you miss two dark blue pills in a row in the first two weeks:

    • Take two pills on the day you remember and two pills the next day.

    • Missing two pills increases the risk of pregnancy. Use backup birth control for at least seven days.

  • If you miss two dark blue pills in a row in the third week: 

    • You will have to start over with a new Mili blister pack if you are a Day 1 starter.

    • If you are a Sunday starter, continue to take the dark blue pills until Sunday. Start a new pack on Sunday. 

    • You can get pregnant in the first seven days of starting a new kit. Use backup birth control.

  • If you miss three or more dark blue pills in a row in any week:

    • You will have to start over with a new Mili blister pack if you are a Day 1 starter.

    • If you are a Sunday starter, continue to take the dark blue pills until Sunday. Start a new pack on Sunday. 

    • You can get pregnant for the first seven days after starting a new blister pack. Use backup birth control.

  • If you’re not sure about missing a dose, use backup birth control.  

Mili contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. 

  • Do not use Mili if you are:

    • Pregnant

    • Older than 35 and smoke

    • Older than 35 and have focal headaches or migraines with aura

  • Do not use Mili if you have:

    • Current or past blood clot problems

    • A history of stroke

    • Conditions that raise the risk of blood clots such as coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain types of heart valve problems, or diabetes with blood vessel disease

    • Uterine bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor

    • Liver disease or liver tumors

    • Current or past breast cancer that is hormone-sensitive

Mili warnings

  • Tell any healthcare provider or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine, especially before a medical or dental procedure. Oral contraceptives can skew the results of important blood tests. 

  • Your doctor may need to do lab tests and check on your health. Keep all appointments.

  • Immediately inform the prescriber if you become pregnant, think you’re pregnant, or miss two periods in a row. A pregnancy test is needed.

  • Tell the prescriber if you:

    • Are pregnant

    • Think you’re pregnant

    • Miss two periods in a row

    • Have given birth within the last four weeks before starting Mili

    • Are breastfeeding

    • Smoke

  • Tell the prescriber if you have:

    • Heart problems

    • Circulation problems

    • High blood pressure

    • Diabetes

    • High cholesterol

    • Migraines

    • Depression

    • Allergic reactions that cause face, neck, and throat swelling (angioedema)

  • Tell the prescriber about any history of pregnancy problems, particularly:

    • Skin yellowing (jaundice) during pregnancy

    • Brown patches on your face (chloasma)

  • \Mili can cause serious side effects, including:

    • Increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke

    • Increased risk of breast or cervical cancer

    • Liver problems

    • Gallbladder problems

    • High blood pressure

    • High cholesterol

    • Severe or persistent headaches

  • Mili should not be used four weeks before or two weeks after major surgery.

  • Some women may experience skin discoloration when using Mili. Use sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.

  • This medicine will not protect you from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. 

Mili interactions

  • To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, give the prescribing clinician a complete list of the drugs and supplements you use, especially: 

  • Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice when taking Mili.

  • Never take Mili or similar birth control pills along with any hepatitis C drug that contains ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir.

  • Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

Mili side effects

Serious side effects

Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect, including:

  • Persistent leg pain, particularly in the calf

  • Sudden changes or loss of vision

  • Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, vision, speech, or walking difficulties

  • Chest pain, chest tightness, trouble breathing, coughing up blood

  • Dark urine, clay-colored stools, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes

  • Breast tenderness, pain, swelling, lumps, or discharge

  • Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting

  • Depression

  • Allergic reaction: Rash, hives, itchiness, facial, mouth, tongue, or throat swelling, trouble breathing, wheezing

Some potentially serious side effects of Mili may not have symptoms. Patients will need regular check-ups and blood tests to monitor for these side effects:

  • High blood pressure

  • High cholesterol and fats

Less serious side effects

  • Headache

  • Abdominal pain

  • Breast tenderness

  • Vaginal discharge

  • Vaginal infection

  • Mood changes

  • Gas

  • Nervousness

  • Skin rash

  • Light spotting or bleeding between periods

Sources:

Mili norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol kit prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)