Apri vs. Lutera
See how Apri and Lutera compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Apri and Lutera are both low-dose combination birth control pills taken once daily in a 28-day cycle, differing mainly in which progestin they use.
Apri uses desogestrel while Lutera uses levonorgestrel, a difference that may affect clotting risk and androgenic side effects like acne.
Lutera's labeling includes specific breakthrough bleeding rates and an off-label use for cycle regulation, giving more documented data than Apri's labeling provides.
Apri vs. Lutera Drug Summary
Apri
Apri is a combination oral contraceptive containing desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol, prescribed to prevent pregnancy. It is taken as one tablet daily in a 28-day pack, with 21 active tablets followed by 7 inert ones.
Lutera
Lutera is a combination oral contraceptive containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, prescribed to prevent pregnancy and sometimes used off-label to regulate menstrual cycles. It is taken as one tablet daily in a 28-day pack, with 21 active tablets followed by 7 inert ones.
Apri vs. Lutera Side Effects
Apri
Lutera
Apri vs. Lutera Dosage
Apri
Lutera
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 active tablet daily | Days 1-21 |
| Maximum dose | 1 inert tablet daily | Days 22-28 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 21 days |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 tablet (0.1/0.02mg) daily | Days 1-21 |
| Maximum dose | 1 inert tablet daily | Days 22-28 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 21 days |
Apri
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 active tablet daily | Days 1-21 |
| Maximum dose | 1 inert tablet daily | Days 22-28 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 21 days |
Lutera
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 tablet (0.1/0.02mg) daily | Days 1-21 |
| Maximum dose | 1 inert tablet daily | Days 22-28 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 21 days |
Apri vs. Lutera Indications
Apri
Apri is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy in women who choose oral contraception. It is not approved to protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. It works like other combination pills by suppressing ovulation and thickening cervical mucus.
Prevents pregnancy in women who choose oral contraception
Not approved for HIV or STI prevention
Contains desogestrel, a progestin with low androgenic activity
28-day pack with 21 active and 7 inert tablets
Lutera
Lutera is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy in women who elect to use oral contraception. It is also sometimes prescribed off-label to help regulate or lighten menstrual cycles. It is not approved for use before menarche, as emergency contraception, or in women over 65.
Prevents pregnancy in women who choose oral contraception
Off-label use for menstrual cycle regulation or lightening periods
Not approved before menarche, for emergency contraception, or over age 65
28-day pack with 21 active and 7 inert tablets
Apri vs. Lutera Pros and Cons
Apri
Apri is a combination pill built around desogestrel, a progestin with minimal androgenic activity, and has been on the market since 1999. It carries the same class-wide warnings about blood clots and cardiovascular risk as other combination pills, with some data suggesting a slightly higher clotting signal tied to its progestin type.
Pros
Desogestrel progestin has minimal androgenic activity, which may reduce acne or oily-skin side effects
FDA-approved since 1999, giving it one of the longer track records among low-dose combination pills
No specific postpartum-use restriction called out in its FDA labeling
Cons
Some studies link desogestrel-containing pills to a higher blood clot risk than levonorgestrel-based options like Lutera
Has no FDA-recognized off-label use for menstrual cycle regulation
Labeling does not report specific percentages for common side effects like breakthrough bleeding, making symptom expectations less clear
Lutera
Lutera pairs levonorgestrel, one of the most studied progestins in birth control, with a low dose of ethinyl estradiol, and has been approved since 2001. Its labeling includes specific breakthrough bleeding rates and a clear postpartum warning, giving prescribers more detailed data to work from.
Pros
Uses levonorgestrel, a progestin not linked to the added clotting risk signal seen with desogestrel
Often used off-label to regulate or lighten menstrual cycles, adding flexibility beyond contraception
Clinical trials report specific breakthrough bleeding rates (up to 30.5% in cycle one, dropping to about 18% by cycle twelve), giving clearer expectations
Cons
Specifically flagged as not recommended during the postpartum period due to increased clot risk
Higher documented early-cycle breakthrough bleeding rate than Apri's unquantified rate
Not approved for use before menarche or in women over 65, narrowing who can use it
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