Ortho Tri-Cyclen vs. Skyla
See how Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Skyla compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Ortho Tri-Cyclen is a daily pill that also treats moderate acne, while Skyla is a set-and-forget IUD approved only for pregnancy prevention.
Skyla is inserted once and works for up to 3 years, removing the risk of missed doses that comes with a daily pill like Ortho Tri-Cyclen.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen carries estrogen-related clot risks, while Skyla's progestin-only design avoids that concern but needs an in-office insertion and removal.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen vs. Skyla Drug Summary
Ortho Tri-Cyclen
Ortho Tri-Cyclen is a triphasic combination oral contraceptive containing norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol. It is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy and to treat moderate acne in females 15 and older, taken as one tablet daily in a 28-day pack with 21 active pills and 7 placebo pills.
Skyla
Skyla is a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device, a progestin-only method placed in the uterus by a clinician. One insertion prevents pregnancy for up to 3 years and requires no daily action from the user.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen vs. Skyla Side Effects
Ortho Tri-Cyclen
Skyla
Ortho Tri-Cyclen vs. Skyla Dosage
Ortho Tri-Cyclen
Skyla
| 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 |
| 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 |
Ortho Tri-Cyclen
| 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 |
Skyla
| 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 |
Ortho Tri-Cyclen vs. Skyla Indications
Ortho Tri-Cyclen
Ortho Tri-Cyclen is approved to prevent pregnancy and to treat moderate acne in females who also want oral contraception. It combines an estrogen and a progestin that work together to stop ovulation and thicken cervical mucus.
Prevention of pregnancy
Treatment of moderate acne vulgaris in females 15+
Not approved for women over 35 who smoke
Not approved as emergency contraception
Skyla
Skyla is approved only to prevent pregnancy, with effectiveness lasting up to 3 years after a single insertion. It releases a low, steady dose of levonorgestrel directly into the uterus.
Prevention of pregnancy for up to 3 years
Not approved for use before menarche
Not approved as emergency contraception
Not approved for women over 65
Ortho Tri-Cyclen vs. Skyla Pros and Cons
Ortho Tri-Cyclen
Ortho Tri-Cyclen offers the added benefit of treating moderate acne alongside contraception, but it requires daily adherence and carries estrogen-related cardiovascular risks. Generic versions are widely available and inexpensive.
Pros
Also treats moderate acne
Can be started or stopped without a procedure
Low-cost generics widely available (roughly $10 to $25 a month)
Hormone dose can be adjusted by switching formulations
Cons
Requires taking a pill at the same time every day
Not safe for women over 35 who smoke
Carries estrogen-related clot and cardiovascular risks
Effectiveness drops sharply with missed doses
Skyla
Skyla removes the burden of daily dosing since one insertion protects against pregnancy for up to 3 years. It has a much higher upfront cost and needs a clinician for insertion and removal, but its progestin-only formula avoids estrogen-related risks.
Pros
No daily dosing to remember
Effective for up to 3 years per insertion
Avoids estrogen-related clot and cardiovascular risks
Studied specifically in nulliparous women at approval
Cons
Requires an in-office insertion and removal procedure
High one-time device cost (roughly $1,028 to $1,329)
Small risk of uterine perforation or expulsion
Does not treat acne or other skin conditions
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