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Mala-N Tablet: Uses, Composition, Price, How to Use and Side Effects

Mala-N Tablet: Uses, Composition, Price, How to Use and Side Effects

Medically Reviewed
Written by: Dr. Pooja Singh, MBBS, MS (Obs & Gynae) – View Profile
Reviewed by: Dr. Shahrukh Khan Bahadur – View Profile
Last Updated: September 2026

This article is for information only and does not replace advice from your   doctor.

 

Mala N is the brand given name of a combined oral contraceptive pill that  helps prevent pregnancy when women take correctly and regularly and

Although It is part of India’s public family-planning programme and    Mala contains two hormones coming as a 28-tablet pack with 21 hormonal tablets and 7 non-hormonal iron tablets, most people use them safely.

Comparing options? Read our guide to Contraceptive Pills in India, which covers daily pills, emergency contraceptive pills, names, prices and how to choose a method.

What Is Mala-N Tablet?

Mala-N is a combined oral contraceptive (birth control pill). Each pack contains 28 pills—21 of which are active hormonal pills. It contains estrogen and progestin and works in three ways:

  1. Mala N helps prevent the release of an egg from the ovary (ovulation).
  2. It thickens the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to reach the egg.
  3. Mala N thins the lining of the uterus, thereby reducing the likelihood of implantation.

According to India’s National Health Mission, Mala-N is the combined oral contraceptive used in the national programme and   is supplied through government health centres and hospitals.

Mala-N is for regular contraception and Mala N is not an emergency contraceptive pill.

Mala-N Composition

Mala-N contains:

  • Levonorgestrel:   0.15 mg
  • Ethinyl estradiol: 30 micrograms   (0.03 mg)

A standard 28-tablet cycle pack contains the following:

  • 21 hormonal tablets
  • 7 non-hormonal iron tablets (ferrous fumarate  ), which help you keep the daily habit and add some iron

Always check the leaflet in your own pack, as details can vary by supplier.

Mala-N Tablet Uses

Why use Mala-N, it simply means trying to prevent pregnancy. It suits the women who are medically eligible for combined pills and want a regular, reversible method.

How effective is it? when perfectly a woman intake combined pills are more than 99% effective. With typical use which includes late or missed pills, effectiveness falls to roughly 91%. The most important thing you can do is take the pill every day.

Important: Mala-N does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Use condoms for STI protection.

How to Use Mala-N Tablets

Follow the instructions from your healthcare provider and the leaflet supplied with your pack.

Right time to start

  • Either start on the first day of your period or within the first five days as you are  told by your pharmacist.
  • Starting also depends on whether pregnancy can reasonably be ruled out and on recent childbirth (see the postpartum section below).

How to take it

  • Take one tablet in a day and continue the next 21 days at about the same time.
  • Follow the arrows or order printed on the strip.
  • Take the 21 hormonal tablets first when they are all  finished then the 7 iron tablets, without a break.
  • When to start the next strip the day after finishing the last one, even if bleeding is still going on.
  • Swallowing with water after a meal or at bedtime may reduce nausea.

What will happen if you miss a pill?

  • ONE TABLET, TAKEN LATE OR MISSED: Take the next tablet as soon as you remember. It is okay if you have to take two tablets in the same day. Once you do this, just continue as normal with the rest of the strip.
  • Two or more hormonal tablets taken late: It is likely that you will not be as protected as normal. Take the last tablet taken as soon as you remember, and keep taking the tablets as normal. You should use an additional contraceptive method e.g. condoms, for the next 7 days. For more information check the packet, or speak to your doctor or pharmacist. If you had unprotected sex, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist about emergency contraception.
  • Missed iron tablets: These contain no hormones, so missing them does not reduce protection. Just make sure you start the next strip on time.

Vomiting or severe diarrhoea

If you vomit or have severe diarrhoea soon after taking a hormonal tablet or it may not have been absorbed. Treat it like a missed pill.

Mala-N Price in India

Mala-N is part of India’s public family-planning programme and __ according to the NHM, is supplied free of cost through government health centres and hospitals. __Because of this, there may be no single standard retail price.__ Availability and price can differ depending on where it is supplied.

For prices of other pills on the Indian market, see our guide to Contraceptive Pills in India.

Mala-N Tablet Side Effects

Some women have mild side effects during the first two to three months while the body adjusts:

  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Breast tenderness
  • Spotting or changes in menstrual bleeding
  • Mild abdominal discomfort
  • Mood changes

Not everyone has side effects, and they often settle by themselves. If they last beyond three months or bother you, speak to your doctor, who may suggest a different pill or method.

Serious side effects: get urgent medical help

Combined pills can rarely increase the risk of blood clots. Seek urgent care if you have:

  • Severe chest pain or sudden breathlessness
  • Painful swelling, warmth or redness in one leg
  • Sudden severe headache or significant vision changes
  • Difficulty speaking, or weakness or numbness on one side of the body

Who Should Talk to a Doctor Before Taking Mala-N?

Tell your doctor before starting if you:

  • Are pregnant or think you may be
  • Smoke and are over 35
  • Have a history of blood clots, stroke, heart or blood-vessel disease
  • Have migraine with aura
  • Have high blood pressure that is not controlled
  • Have significant liver disease, breast cancer, or unexplained vaginal bleeding
  • Have recently given birth or are breastfeeding
  • Take other medicines

Medicine interactions: Some medicines, including certain anti-epileptic drugs and some TB medicines, can make the pill less effective. Tell your doctor about everything you take, including herbal products.

Mala-N After Childbirth or During Breastfeeding

NHM states that breast milk may be affected by the use of COCs and  therefore, 

their use by breastfeeding women in the first 6 months after delivery is not recommended. Women who are in the breastfeeding period and/or have recently given birth  and/or are planning to start using Mala-N should consult a health care professional to assess the suitability of other methods. Progestin-only or non-hormonal methods may be recommended in the interim.

Is Mala-N an Emergency Contraceptive?

No. Mala-N is designed for ongoing pregnancy prevention on a daily schedule.

Emergency contraceptive pills are different medicines used after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Using a regular pill as an emergency pill can lead to incorrect dosing and reduced protection.

Mala-N and Pregnancy

If you think you may already be pregnant  , do not continue taking the pills before speaking to a healthcare professional. If you miss a period after missing pills or after contraceptive failure, take a pregnancy test and seek medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mala-N used for?

Mala-N is a combined oral contraceptive pill used for regular pregnancy prevention.

What is the composition of Mala-N?

Levonorgestrel 0.15 mg and ethinyl estradiol 30 micrograms, in a pack of 21 hormonal tablets and 7 iron tablets.

Is Mala-N available free of cost?

Yes. It is supplied free through government health centres and hospitals under India’s national family-planning programme.

Can I get pregnant while taking Mala-N?

Yes, if pills are missed or taken late, or if absorption is affected by vomiting or severe diarrhoea. Taken correctly, it is highly effective.

Does Mala-N protect against STIs?

No. Condoms are needed for STI protection.

Can Mala-N be used as an emergency pill?

No. It is a regular contraceptive pill.

What should I do if I forget a Mala-N tablet?

If you miss one hormonal tablet, take it as soon as you remember and continue as usual. If you miss two or more, use condoms as backup for 7 days and check the leaflet or ask your doctor.

Will Mala-N cause weight gain?

Some women notice minor changes, but research does not show a clear link between combined pills and significant weight gain.

Can I stop taking Mala-N at any time?

Yes. Fertility usually returns quickly, though your first periods after stopping may be irregular. If you are stopping because you want to avoid pregnancy, switch to another method first.

Is Mala-N safe for long-term use?

Many healthy women use combined pills for years. Regular check-ups, including a blood pressure check, are advised.

Does everyone get side effects?

No. Some women have nausea, headache, breast tenderness or spotting, while others have few or none.

When to See a Doctor

Contact your doctor if you have side effects that persist beyond three months, heavy or prolonged bleeding, a missed period after missing pills, or any of the serious warning signs listed above.

Final Thoughts

Mala-N is a combined oral contraceptive containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, and it is supplied free through India’s public health system. It works best when taken every day at the same time. Because combined pills are not suitable for everyone, the right choice depends on your health history, breastfeeding status and other medicines.

For a broader comparison, read Contraceptive Pills in India: Types, Names, Prices and How to Choose.

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