Aviane vs. Nexplanon

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

Key Takeaways

  • Aviane is a daily pill that must be taken at the same time each day, while Nexplanon is a single implant that prevents pregnancy for up to 3 years with no daily action.

  • Aviane costs far less per month than Nexplanon, but Nexplanon removes the risk of a missed or late dose.

  • Both drugs are contraindicated in women with a history of blood clots, and a clinician should review personal risk factors before either method is chosen.

Aviane vs. Nexplanon Drug Summary

Aviane

Aviane is a combined oral contraceptive containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, used to prevent pregnancy. It is taken as one tablet daily for 28 days, with 21 active tablets followed by 7 inert ones, and the cycle repeats each pack.

Nexplanon

Nexplanon is a progestin-only contraceptive implant containing etonogestrel, used for long-term pregnancy prevention. A single rod is inserted under the skin of the upper arm by a clinician and provides continuous protection for up to 3 years.

Aviane vs. Nexplanon Side Effects

Aviane

Most common
Headache (rate unspecified)
Abdominal pain (unspecified)
Nausea (unspecified)
Metrorrhagia (unspecified)

Nexplanon

Most common
Bleeding changes (up to 11%)
Headache (up to 10%)
Vaginitis (up to 10%)
Weight increase (up to 10%)

Aviane vs. Nexplanon Dosage

Aviane

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 1 orange tablet daily Days 1-21
Maximum dose 1 inert tablet daily Days 22-28
Dose changes 1 increase Every 21 days

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

Aviane vs. Nexplanon Indications

Aviane

Aviane is FDA-approved solely for preventing pregnancy in women who can become pregnant. It is not recommended for women with a BMI over 35 kg/m2, since safety and effectiveness have not been established in that group. Like all combined hormonal contraceptives, it offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections.

  • Prevention of pregnancy in females of reproductive age

  • Daily oral dosing for continuous cycle control

  • Lower-estrogen formulation (0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol)

  • Available as a lower-cost generic of Alesse

Nexplanon

Nexplanon is FDA-approved for long-acting reversible contraception, providing pregnancy prevention for up to 3 years after insertion. It is not intended for use beyond the 3-year window without replacement and is not approved for use in men. Because effectiveness does not rely on daily action, it removes the chance of a missed dose.

  • Prevention of pregnancy for up to 3 years per implant

  • No daily, weekly, or monthly action needed

  • Radiopaque design allows X-ray localization if needed

  • Requires clinician insertion and removal

Aviane vs. Nexplanon Pros and Cons

Aviane

Aviane offers a low-cost, well-established hormonal option with decades of safety data, but it requires consistent daily use to stay effective. It is not appropriate for smokers over 35 or women with a history of blood clots or breast cancer, given its estrogen component. Generic availability keeps monthly costs relatively low compared with long-acting methods.

Pros

  • Roughly $30 to $70 per month, far less than Nexplanon

  • Can be stopped immediately without a clinical procedure

  • Long track record of use since FDA approval in 1968

  • Lower-estrogen dosing may reduce estrogen-related effects

Cons

  • Requires taking a pill at the same time every day

  • Contraindicated in women over 35 who smoke

  • Carries estrogen-related clot, stroke, and MI risk

Nexplanon

Nexplanon provides years of contraception from a single insertion, which removes the daily effort Aviane requires, but it carries a much higher monthly cost when averaged over its use, and requires a clinician for both insertion and removal. Its progestin-only formula avoids some estrogen-related risks but often causes unpredictable bleeding changes.

Pros

  • No daily action needed; protection lasts up to 3 years

  • Avoids estrogen-related clot and stroke risks

  • Can be used by women who cannot take estrogen

  • Effectiveness not affected by a missed dose

Cons

  • Roughly $1,030 to $1,275 per month for the implant

  • Requires an in-office procedure for insertion and removal

  • Irregular bleeding is common and can cause discontinuation

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