Lo Loestrin Fe vs. Sprintec

See how Lo Loestrin Fe and Sprintec compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Lo Loestrin Fe uses the lowest estrogen dose of any FDA-approved birth control pill, while Sprintec uses a standard estrogen dose with a traditional 21-day active, 7-day placebo schedule.

  • Sprintec is FDA-approved to treat moderate acne in addition to preventing pregnancy, while Lo Loestrin Fe's use for acne is off-label.

  • Both pills carry the same cardiovascular warnings for smokers over 35, but Sprintec is generally far less expensive out of pocket than Lo Loestrin Fe.

Lo Loestrin Fe vs. Sprintec Drug Summary

Lo Loestrin Fe

Lo Loestrin Fe is a combination oral contraceptive containing norethindrone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, and iron, taken once daily in a 28-day pack. It has the lowest estrogen dose of any FDA-approved birth control pill and is used to prevent pregnancy.

Sprintec

Sprintec is a combination oral contraceptive containing norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol, taken once daily in a 28-day pack with 21 active tablets and 7 inert tablets. It is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy and to treat moderate acne in females 15 and older.

Lo Loestrin Fe vs. Sprintec Side Effects

Lo Loestrin Fe

Most common
Headache (up to 7%)
Nausea/vomiting (up to 7%)
Bleeding irregularities (up to 5%)
Dysmenorrhea (up to 4%)

Sprintec

Most common
Headache/migraine (up to 32.9%)
Vaginal infection (up to 8.4%)
Abdominal/GI pain (up to 7.8%)
Genital discharge (up to 6.8%)

Lo Loestrin Fe vs. Sprintec Dosage

Lo Loestrin Fe

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 1 mg/10 mcg once daily Days 1-24
Maximum dose 75 mg ferrous fumarate/day Days 27-28
Dose changes 2 increases As tolerated

Sprintec

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 1 tablet once daily Days 1-28
Maximum dose 1 tablet once daily Same as starting
Dose changes None Fixed dose

Lo Loestrin Fe vs. Sprintec Indications

Lo Loestrin Fe

Lo Loestrin Fe is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy in women who choose oral contraceptives. Some clinicians also prescribe it off-label to help manage acne or other hormonal symptoms, though this is not an FDA-approved use.

  • Prevention of pregnancy

  • Off-label: management of acne or hormonal symptoms

  • Not approved for protection against HIV or other STIs

Sprintec

Sprintec is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy in females of reproductive potential and to treat moderate acne in females 15 and older. It is not approved for use as emergency contraception.

  • Prevention of pregnancy

  • FDA-approved treatment of moderate acne (age 15+)

  • Not approved for use as emergency contraception

Lo Loestrin Fe vs. Sprintec Pros and Cons

Lo Loestrin Fe

Lo Loestrin Fe's ultra-low estrogen dose and shortened hormone-free interval are its main clinical differentiators, though this comes with a higher price tag than many generic pills. Its acne benefit is off-label, so coverage for that purpose is not guaranteed.

Pros

  • Lowest estrogen dose (10 mcg) of any FDA-approved oral contraceptive

  • Only 2 low-hormone days instead of a full placebo week

  • Includes iron tablets to help offset menstrual iron loss

Cons

  • Acne treatment is off-label, unlike Sprintec's FDA-approved use

  • Three-phase dosing schedule is more complex than a single-phase pill

  • Roughly $171 to $1,017 per month without insurance, well above Sprintec

Sprintec

Sprintec offers a straightforward monophasic dosing pattern and decades of real-world use, plus official FDA approval for acne treatment. It is also available at a much lower list price than newer branded contraceptives like Lo Loestrin Fe.

Pros

  • FDA-approved to treat moderate acne in females 15 and older

  • Simple monophasic dosing with one hormone strength throughout

  • On the market since 1989, with decades of clinical experience

Cons

  • Full 7-day placebo week rather than a shortened hormone-free interval

  • Headache/migraine reported in up to 32.9% of users, higher than Lo Loestrin Fe

  • No built-in iron supplementation during inactive days

Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore

Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.