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
Nexplanon
Apri vs. Nexplanon Dosage
Apri
Nexplanon
| 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 |
| 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
| 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
| 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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