Sprintec vs. Apri

See how Sprintec and Apri compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Sprintec and Apri are both combination birth control pills taken once daily in a 28-day pack, but they use different progestins with different side effect profiles.

  • Sprintec's label reports headache as very common (up to 32.9%), while Apri's desogestrel progestin has minimal androgenic activity, which may mean fewer acne-related side effects.

  • Sprintec is also used off-label for acne treatment, while Apri is FDA-approved only for pregnancy prevention.

Sprintec vs. Apri Drug Summary

Sprintec

Sprintec (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol) is a combination oral contraceptive that prevents pregnancy and is also used off-label to treat moderate acne. It's taken as one tablet daily in a 28-day pack, with 21 active pills followed by 7 inert ones.

Apri

Apri (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol) is a combination oral contraceptive approved to prevent pregnancy. It's taken as one tablet daily in a 28-day pack, with 21 active pills followed by 7 inert ones, and uses a progestin with minimal androgenic activity.

Sprintec vs. Apri Side Effects

Sprintec

Most common
headache/migraine (up to 32.9%)
vaginal infection (up to 8.4%)
abdominal/gastrointestinal pain (up to 7.8%)
genital discharge (up to 6.8%)

Apri

Most common
headache (rate not specified)
nausea (rate not specified)
breakthrough bleeding/spotting (rate not specified)
breast tenderness (rate not specified)

Sprintec vs. Apri Dosage

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

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

Sprintec vs. Apri Indications

Sprintec

Sprintec is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy in females of reproductive potential who choose an oral contraceptive. It is also used off-label to treat moderate acne in females 15 and older who have no contraindications to hormonal birth control.

  • Prevents pregnancy when taken daily

  • Off-label treatment for moderate acne (15+)

  • Monophasic formula, same hormone dose daily

  • Not for use as emergency contraception

Apri

Apri is FDA-approved solely to prevent pregnancy in women who choose an oral contraceptive. It contains desogestrel, a progestin with low androgenic activity, and is not approved to prevent HIV or other STIs.

  • Prevents pregnancy when taken daily

  • Generic equivalent of Ortho-Cept

  • Progestin with minimal androgenic effect

  • Not approved to prevent HIV or STIs

Sprintec vs. Apri Pros and Cons

Sprintec

Sprintec has been available since 1989, giving it a long track record, and it's also used off-label for acne. Like all combined pills, it carries cardiovascular risks for smokers over 35, and headache is a very common side effect on its label.

Pros

  • Long-standing safety record since 1989

  • Also used off-label to treat acne

  • Monophasic dosing keeps hormone levels steady daily

Cons

  • Headache is very common (up to 32.9% of users)

  • Norgestimate progestin is more androgenic than desogestrel

  • Not approved for use as emergency contraception

Apri

Apri combines ethinyl estradiol with desogestrel, a progestin with minimal androgenic activity, which may mean fewer acne or oily-skin side effects for some users. It carries the same class-wide cardiovascular warnings as other combined pills for smokers over 35.

Pros

  • Desogestrel progestin has minimal androgenic activity

  • May cause less acne or oily skin than more androgenic pills

  • Well-established generic equivalent of Ortho-Cept since 1999

Cons

  • Newer on the market (1999) than Sprintec (1989)

  • Not approved or studied for acne treatment

  • Typically $30 to $99 per month, more than Sprintec's price

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