Ortho Tri-Cyclen vs. Apri

See how Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Apri compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Ortho Tri-Cyclen is a triphasic pill also FDA-approved to treat moderate acne, while Apri is a monophasic pill approved only for pregnancy prevention.

  • Ortho Tri-Cyclen uses three step-up hormone doses across the cycle, while Apri delivers the same dose every active day.

  • Both carry similar cardiovascular warnings for smokers over 35 and are taken as one tablet daily in a 28-day pack.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen vs. Apri Drug Summary

Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Ortho Tri-Cyclen is a triphasic combination oral contraceptive containing norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol. It is taken as one tablet daily in a 28-day pack, with the hormone dose stepping up every seven days to mimic natural cycle fluctuations. It also carries FDA approval to treat moderate acne in women who want oral contraception.

Apri

Apri is a monophasic combination oral contraceptive containing desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. It is taken as one tablet daily in a 28-day pack, with the same hormone dose in every active tablet rather than stepping up over the cycle. It is approved only for pregnancy prevention.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen vs. Apri Side Effects

Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Most common
Headache (rate not specified)
Breast tenderness (rate not specified)
Weight change (rate not specified)
Mood disorders (rate not specified)

Apri

Most common
Headache (rate not specified)
Breast tenderness (rate not specified)
Weight change (rate not specified)
Mood changes (rate not specified)

Ortho Tri-Cyclen vs. Apri Dosage

Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 0.180 mg/0.035 mg daily Days 1-7
Maximum dose Placebo tablet daily Days 22-28
Dose changes 3 increases Every 7 days

Apri

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

Ortho Tri-Cyclen vs. Apri Indications

Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Ortho Tri-Cyclen prevents pregnancy and is also approved to treat moderate acne in females 15 and older who want oral contraception. It is not approved for use as emergency contraception or for preventing sexually transmitted infections.

  • Prevention of pregnancy

  • Treatment of moderate acne in females 15+

  • Not approved for STI or HIV prevention

  • Not recommended for women over 35 who smoke

Apri

Apri is approved only to prevent pregnancy in women who choose an oral contraceptive. It has no FDA approval for acne or any other non-contraceptive use.

  • Prevention of pregnancy

  • Not approved for acne treatment

  • Not approved for STI or HIV prevention

  • Not recommended for women over 35 who smoke

Ortho Tri-Cyclen vs. Apri Pros and Cons

Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Ortho Tri-Cyclen stands out for its dual approval to treat acne alongside contraception and its decades-long safety record since 1989. The triphasic dosing adds an extra step compared with single-dose pills, and the brand itself has been discontinued in favor of generics.

Pros

  • Only combination pill option here also approved to treat moderate acne

  • Long real-world track record dating to 1989 approval

  • Triphasic dosing designed to mirror natural hormone patterns

Cons

  • Three different hormone doses to track across the cycle

  • Brand name no longer sold, only generics remain

  • Not approved for acne in women under 15

Apri

Apri offers a simpler, single-dose daily regimen without the step-up schedule of a triphasic pill. Its desogestrel progestin has minimal androgenic activity, though the drug carries no acne indication and its pricing varies more widely by pharmacy.

Pros

  • Same hormone dose every active day, simpler to track

  • Desogestrel progestin has minimal androgenic activity

  • Generic of Ortho-Cept, well-established formulation since 1999

Cons

  • No FDA approval for treating acne

  • Cash price range is wider and less predictable

  • Single fixed dose rather than a cycle-mimicking hormone pattern

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