Progestin-only pill
Daphne pills: price, side effects and how to take them
Daphne (lynestrenol 500 mcg)
Quick answer
Daphne (lynestrenol 500 mcg) is a progestin-only pill with no estrogen, and the usual pill choice while breastfeeding.[src][src] All 28 tablets contain the hormone: you take one every day, no break, within 3 hours of the same time.
It costs from ₱161 a pack, less than Exluton, which has the same formula. It needs a reseta (Prescription. All birth control pills need one in the Philippines.) and is also often free at barangay health centers.
Key facts
- Generic name
- lynestrenol 500 mcg
- Type
- Progestin-only pill (no estrogen)
- Pack
- 28 tablets: 28 hormone
- Prescription
- Required in the Philippines
- Price this month
- From ₱161 a pack
- Same formula
- Exluton
Daphne contains one hormone, lynestrenol (The progestin in Daphne and Exluton.), a progestin. With no estrogen, it is the pill most often chosen by mothers who are breastfeeding and by people who cannot take estrogen. It is a progestin-only pill (A pill with no estrogen, like Daphne, Exluton or Cerazette.), the true "mini pill", unlike the similarly named Minipil, which is a combined pill.
Its twin is Exluton: same lynestrenol 500 mcg, same 28-tablet pack. The difference is price. Daphne cost ₱163.75 at Rose Pharmacy with a suggested retail price of ₱161, while Exluton starts at ₱218.50.[src][src] Watsons lists Daphne as prescription required but did not show a price when we checked. Our research does not name Daphne's maker. The other progestin-only pill in Philippine pharmacies is Cerazette (desogestrel 75 mcg), which has a longer window for late pills but costs much more.
Our expat research found no common US or UK pill with lynestrenol. If you are an expat switching onto Daphne, get medical advice first (see pill equivalents).
Daphne price in the Philippines
Prices checked October 2026. Every pharmacy below requires a prescription.
| Retailer | Pack | Price | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRP (Find My Method)Prescription required | 28 tablets | ₱161.00 | October 2026 |
| Rose PharmacyPrescription required | 28 tablets | ₱163.75 | October 2026 |
| Mercury Drug | No public online price | [TODO: verify] | |
| Southstar Drug | No public online price | [TODO: verify] |
How to take Daphne
Every tablet in a Daphne pack is active. Take one a day, at the same time each day, following the arrows, and start the next pack the day after you finish. There are no inactive or iron tablets and no break week, so the strip never tells you to stop.
Timing matters more than on a combined pill. If you take a tablet more than 3 hours late, WHO counts it as missed: take it as soon as you remember, keep going, and use condoms for the next 2 days.[src] Pick a time you are always awake, like after the first feed of the morning, and set a phone alarm or use our pill tracker.
When to start: the WHO handbook says you can start a progestin-only pill within the first 5 days of your period with no extra protection, or on any other day if you are reasonably sure you are not pregnant, using condoms for the first 2 days.[src] If you have just given birth and are breastfeeding, WHO's eligibility criteria support progestin-only pills; your doctor or midwife will tell you when to begin.[src]
A progestin-only pill with no estrogen. The usual pill choice while breastfeeding.
If you miss a Daphne pill
Daphne is a progestin-only pill. If you are more than 3 hours late, take one as soon as you remember, keep taking one a day, and use condoms for the next 2 days (WHO handbook; follow your leaflet if it says longer).
If you had sex in the last 5 days and missed pills, talk to a doctor today about emergency options. If unsure, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
Open the Missed Pill HelperDaphne side effects and what Filipinas worry about
Bleeding changes are the main side effect. On a progestin-only pill your bleeding may become irregular, you may spot between periods, or your period may stop for a while. WHO lists these changes as the most common effect, and they are not harmful.[src] If you are breastfeeding, you may not bleed for months, which is also expected. A sudden change after months of a steady pattern, or very heavy bleeding, is worth a check-up.
Some people get headaches, sore breasts or mood changes in the first months.[src] Mothers on Reddit compare notes on Daphne while breastfeeding, and experiences vary from person to person.[src] Fertility comes back quickly after you stop.[src]
Nakakataba ba ang Daphne?
This is one of the top Daphne searches. The large Cochrane review on pills and weight looked at combined pills and found no large effect;[src] we have not yet added a source that tests progestin-only pills like Daphne the same way. [TODO: source: progestin-only pills and weight (Cochrane review)] Weight after giving birth changes a lot on its own, which makes it hard to blame the pill. If you notice a change that bothers you, track it and talk to your doctor. Basahin sa Taglish.
Pwede ba sa nagpapadede?Can I take pills while breastfeeding?
Progestin-only pills (Daphne, Exluton, Cerazette) are the usual pill choice while breastfeeding. The NHS advises waiting until 6 weeks after birth before starting a combined pill if you are breastfeeding.
Read moreNakakataba ba ang pills?Do pills make you gain weight?
Reviews of placebo-controlled trials have not found a large effect of combined pills on weight. Some people notice bloating or a bigger appetite in the first months, which usually settles. Weight changes over time with or without pills, which is why only controlled trials can answer this. The injectable (DMPA) is the one method with evidence of weight gain in some users.
Read moreBakit may spotting kahit nag-pi-pills?Why am I spotting on the pill?
Breakthrough bleeding is common in the first few months on any pill and with progestin-only methods. It usually settles. Spotting after missed pills or after emergency options does not confirm or rule out pregnancy.
Read moreMabubuntis ba pag mali ang pag-inom ng pills?I missed a pill. Can I get pregnant?
Missing 1 or 2 combined pills carries little or no risk if you take one as soon as you remember and carry on. Missing 3 or more in a row (2 or more for 20 mcg pills like Yaz) means using condoms for 7 days. The Missed Pill Helper walks you through it by brand.
Read moreDaphne while breastfeeding
Progestin-only pills are the usual pill choice while breastfeeding. The NHS advises waiting until 6 weeks after giving birth before starting a combined pill like Trust (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) if you are breastfeeding,[src] while WHO's eligibility criteria support progestin-only pills for breastfeeding mothers.[src] Daphne has no estrogen, which is why it fits.
Many mothers pick it because they want something daily they control. One Reddit mom put it simply: "kasi ayoko din ng inject".[src] When you stop breastfeeding, some people switch to a combined pill. Ask your doctor how to time it so there is no gap. More in birth control while breastfeeding.
Who should not take Daphne
Who should not take it
Progestin-only pills suit most people, including smokers over 35, people with migraine with aura and people who are breastfeeding. A doctor will still check your history, including any current breast cancer or serious liver disease.
Common side effects
Irregular bleeding or spotting is the most common effect. Some people have no bleeding at all. Most settle within about 3 months. More on side effects.
When to get urgent help
Go to an emergency room now for chest pain, sudden breathlessness, coughing blood, a painful swollen leg, a sudden severe headache, vision changes or weakness on one side.
Check the product is registered
Buy only from licensed pharmacies. You can look up a product on the FDA Philippines verification portal.
Same formula, different price
Lynestrenol 500 mcg (progestin only). Same active ingredients and dose; pack and inactive tablets can differ.
Three legal routes
Get a prescription
Daphne needs a prescription in the Philippines. Pick the route that suits you. For adults 18 and over.
Free at a health center
Barangay health centers, RHUs, DOH hospitals and Likhaan. Subject to supply.
See an OB-GYN in person
Clinic visit, prescription in hand. Bring it to any licensed pharmacy.
Online consult
A licensed doctor by video or chat. From ₱700 on some platforms.
Online consult options
For adults 18 and over. Fees are set by each provider and can change.
Daphne FAQ
Pwede ba ang Daphne sa nagpapadede?
Oo. Ang Daphne ay progestin-only pill na walang estrogen, kaya ito ang karaniwang pills para sa nagpapadede. Ayon sa NHS, maghintay ng 6 na linggo pagkapanganak bago mag-combined pill kung nagpapadede. Itanong sa doktor kung kailan magsisimula.
Nakakataba ba ang Daphne pills?
Hindi pa malinaw ang ebidensya para sa progestin-only pills. Ang malaking Cochrane review ay tungkol sa combined pills at walang nakitang malaking epekto. Malaki rin ang pagbabago ng timbang pagkapanganak kahit walang pills. Kausapin ang doktor kung may napapansin ka.
Why don't I have a period on Daphne?
Irregular or absent bleeding is the most common effect of progestin-only pills, especially while breastfeeding. It is not harmful. If you missed or took pills late and had sex, take a pregnancy test to be sure.
What if I take Daphne more than 3 hours late?
WHO counts it as a missed pill. Take it as soon as you remember, keep taking one a day, and use condoms for the next 2 days. If you had sex in the last 5 days, talk to a doctor today.
Is Daphne the same as Exluton?
Yes. Both are lynestrenol 500 mcg in a 28-tablet pack. Daphne costs from ₱161 and Exluton from ₱218.50 at the pharmacies we checked.
Does Daphne have placebo or break days?
No. All 28 tablets contain the hormone. Take one every day and start the next pack the day after you finish.
Can I switch from Daphne to Trust after I stop breastfeeding?
Many people do. Trust is a combined pill with estrogen, so your doctor will check that it suits you and tell you how to time the switch so you stay protected.
This guide is for information. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or switching birth control.
Sources
- Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers, WHO and Johns Hopkins CCP
- Managing missed pills (Family Planning Handbook), WHO and Johns Hopkins CCP
- Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use, World Health Organization
- Combined pill: who can and cannot take it, NHS
- Combination contraceptives: effects on weight (Gallo et al.), Cochrane / PubMed
- When will fertility return after using hormonal contraception?, Patient.info
- Prescription Pharmacy: Contraceptive Agents, Rose Pharmacy
- Progestin-only pill in the Philippines, Find My Method
- Daphne pills review, r/nanayconfessions
- Combined pill: risks and side effects, NHS
- Oral contraceptives category, Watsons PH