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
Apri
Sprintec vs. Apri Dosage
Sprintec
Apri
| 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 |
| 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
| 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
| 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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