Aviane vs. Skyla

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

Key Takeaways

  • Aviane is a daily combined pill taken at the same time every day, while Skyla is a hormonal IUD placed once by a clinician and left in for up to three years.

  • Skyla's most common side effects include vulvovaginitis, pelvic pain, and acne, while Aviane's label lists headache, abdominal pain, and nausea without specific rates.

  • Aviane has a lower cost per month and no procedure required, while Skyla trades an upfront insertion visit for years of hands-off protection.

Aviane vs. Skyla Drug Summary

Aviane

Aviane is a combined oral contraceptive containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, used to prevent pregnancy. It comes in a 28-day pack with 21 active tablets followed by 7 inert tablets, taken once daily at the same time each day.

Skyla

Skyla is a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, a small T-shaped device inserted into the uterus by a clinician. It provides continuous, low-dose hormonal contraception for up to three years without any daily action needed.

Aviane vs. Skyla Side Effects

Aviane

Most common
Abdominal pain (common, rate not specified in labeling)
Headache (common, rate not specified in labeling)
Nausea (common, rate not specified in labeling)
Metrorrhagia (common, rate not specified in labeling)

Skyla

Most common
Vulvovaginitis (up to 20%)
Abdominal/pelvic pain (up to 19%)
Acne/seborrhea (up to 15%)
Ovarian cyst (up to 13%)

Aviane vs. Skyla 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

Skyla

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 13.5 mg IUS, one insertion At the start
Maximum dose 13.5 mg IUS, one insertion Same as starting
Dose changes None Fixed dose

Aviane vs. Skyla Indications

Aviane

Aviane is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy in females of reproductive potential. It works only if a pill is taken at roughly the same time every day without missed doses. It has not been adequately evaluated for women with a BMI over 35 kg/m2.

  • Prevents pregnancy when taken daily

  • Not studied in women with BMI over 35 kg/m2

  • Requires consistent daily timing to work well

  • Does not protect against HIV or STIs

Skyla

Skyla is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy for up to three years after a single insertion. It is the only levonorgestrel IUD studied specifically in a large group of women who have never given birth. It is not approved for emergency contraception or for use before a first period.

  • Prevents pregnancy for up to 3 years

  • Studied specifically in women who haven't given birth

  • Requires no daily action once placed

  • Does not protect against HIV or STIs

Aviane vs. Skyla Pros and Cons

Aviane

Aviane offers a low-dose estrogen option with a long track record dating back to 1968. It depends on daily adherence and carries cardiovascular risks for smokers over 35, but it involves no insertion or removal procedure.

Pros

  • Can be started or stopped without a procedure

  • Long-standing safety record since 1968

  • Lower monthly cost than many contraceptive options

  • Available as a generic, widely stocked at pharmacies

Cons

  • Must be taken at the same time every day

  • Contraindicated in smokers over 35

  • Increased risk of blood clots and stroke

  • Not evaluated for BMI over 35 kg/m2

Skyla

Skyla removes the daily pill routine entirely, delivering hormone locally in the uterus at a lower systemic dose. It requires a clinical visit for insertion and removal, and carries small risks like perforation or expulsion.

Pros

  • No daily pill to remember once inserted

  • Lowest hormone dose among levonorgestrel IUDs

  • Effective for up to 3 years per insertion

  • Does not require smoking-status precautions

Cons

  • Requires an in-office insertion and removal

  • Higher upfront cost than a month of pills

  • Risk of uterine perforation or device expulsion

  • Small risk of ectopic pregnancy if pregnancy occurs

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