Apri vs. Nexplanon

See how Apri and Nexplanon compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Apri is a daily combination pill containing desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol, while Nexplanon is a single-rod implant that protects against pregnancy for up to three years.

  • Nexplanon removes the risk of missed doses since it needs no daily action, but placing and removing it requires a short in-office procedure.

  • Apri costs far less per month out of pocket, while Nexplanon's higher upfront cost covers three full years of continuous protection.

Apri vs. Nexplanon Drug Summary

Apri

Apri is a combination oral contraceptive combining desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol, taken to prevent pregnancy. It's one tablet daily for 28 days, with 21 active pills followed by a 7-day placebo week.

Nexplanon

Nexplanon is a progestin-only contraceptive implant containing etonogestrel, used to prevent pregnancy. A provider inserts a single flexible rod under the skin of the upper arm, protecting against pregnancy for up to three years.

Apri vs. Nexplanon Side Effects

Apri

Most common
Spotting/bleeding (up to 14%)
Nausea (up to 9%)
Headache (up to 5%)
Breast tenderness (up to 3%)

Nexplanon

Most common
Headache (up to 24.9%)
Vaginitis (up to 14.6%)
Weight increase (up to 13.7%)
Irregular bleeding (up to 11%)

Apri vs. Nexplanon Dosage

Apri

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 1 tablet once daily At the start
Maximum dose 1 tablet once daily Same as starting
Dose changes None Fixed dose

Nexplanon

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 1 implant, 68 mg subdermal Day 1
Maximum dose 1 implant, 68 mg subdermal Same as starting
Dose changes None Fixed dose

Apri vs. Nexplanon Indications

Apri

Apri is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy in women who choose oral contraceptives, taken daily. Like all hormonal birth control, it does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.

  • Prevents pregnancy with a daily tablet

  • Can regulate and lighten menstrual bleeding

  • Requires consistent daily adherence to work reliably

  • Does not protect against HIV or other STIs

Nexplanon

Nexplanon is FDA-approved for long-acting reversible contraception, preventing pregnancy for up to three years after a single insertion. Like all hormonal birth control, it does not protect against HIV or other STIs.

  • Prevents pregnancy for up to three years

  • No daily action required after insertion

  • Requires an in-office procedure to insert and remove

  • Not approved for use beyond three years without replacement

Apri vs. Nexplanon Pros and Cons

Apri

Apri offers effective, reversible contraception that a woman can start or stop on her own without any procedure. As a generic pill, it is widely available and relatively inexpensive, though missed doses lower its effectiveness.

Pros

  • Can be started or stopped without a procedure

  • Available as a low-cost generic, roughly $30 to $99 per month

  • No insertion or removal visit required

  • Fertility returns immediately after stopping

Cons

  • Requires taking a pill at the same time daily

  • Effectiveness drops with missed or late doses

  • Contraindicated for smokers over 35 due to clot risk

  • Carries a clot risk not shared by non-hormonal methods

Nexplanon

Nexplanon removes the chance of user error since there is no daily pill to remember, and one insertion protects against pregnancy for three years. It requires a short in-office procedure to place and remove, and its upfront cost is much higher than a pack of pills.

Pros

  • No daily action needed once it's inserted

  • Protects against pregnancy for up to three years

  • Effectiveness is not affected by missed doses

  • Fertility typically returns quickly after removal

Cons

  • Requires an in-office procedure to insert and remove

  • Device and insertion cost roughly $1,030 to $1,275 upfront

  • No generic version is currently available

  • Irregular bleeding is common and may prompt early removal

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