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
Sprintec
Lo Loestrin Fe vs. Sprintec Dosage
Lo Loestrin Fe
Sprintec
| 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 |
| 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
| 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
| 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
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