Sprintec vs. Lutera
See how Sprintec and Lutera compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Sprintec and Lutera are both combination birth control pills taken once daily in a 28-day pack with 21 active pills and 7 inert ones.
Sprintec is also FDA-approved to treat moderate acne, while Lutera is a lower-dose pill often used off-label to regulate periods.
Both carry the same cardiovascular warnings for smokers over 35, and neither is approved for use as emergency contraception.
Sprintec vs. Lutera Drug Summary
Sprintec
Sprintec is a combination oral contraceptive containing norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol, taken as one tablet daily in a 28-day pack with 21 active pills and 7 inert ones. It prevents pregnancy and is also FDA-approved to treat moderate acne in females 15 and older. Sprintec uses a monophasic formula, delivering the same hormone dose every active day.
Lutera
Lutera is a combination oral contraceptive containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, taken as one tablet daily for 21 days followed by 7 inert tablets. It's FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy and is commonly used off-label to regulate or lighten menstrual periods. Lutera is a low-dose formula, containing less estrogen than many other combination pills.
Sprintec vs. Lutera Side Effects
Sprintec
Lutera
Sprintec vs. Lutera Dosage
Sprintec
Lutera
| 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 (0.1/0.02mg) daily | Days 1-21 |
| Maximum dose | 1 inert tablet daily | Days 22-28 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 21 days |
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 |
Lutera
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 tablet (0.1/0.02mg) daily | Days 1-21 |
| Maximum dose | 1 inert tablet daily | Days 22-28 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 21 days |
Sprintec vs. Lutera Indications
Sprintec
Sprintec is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy in females of reproductive potential. It's also FDA-approved to treat moderate acne in females 15 and older who don't have contraindications to hormonal birth control.
Prevention of pregnancy
FDA-approved treatment of moderate acne (ages 15+)
Not approved for emergency contraception
Not recommended for women over 35 who smoke
Lutera
Lutera is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy in women who choose oral contraception. It's also used off-label to regulate menstrual cycles and lighten periods.
Prevention of pregnancy
Off-label menstrual cycle regulation and lightening periods
Not approved for use before menarche
Not approved for emergency contraception
Sprintec vs. Lutera Pros and Cons
Sprintec
Sprintec is a well-established combination pill with FDA approval for both pregnancy prevention and moderate acne treatment, giving it a dual purpose many similar pills lack. Its norgestimate-based progestin tends to have a lower androgenic profile, which can be an advantage for acne-prone skin. Insurance coverage and monthly costs overlap closely with Lutera's, so the tradeoffs here are clinical rather than financial.
Pros
Only pill in this pair with an FDA-approved acne treatment indication for females 15 and up
Uses norgestimate, a progestin with a lower androgenic profile than levonorgestrel, which may mean less acne risk from the hormone itself
More than three decades of FDA-approved use and prescribing history
Cons
Reports a notably higher headache/migraine incidence in trials (up to 32.9%) than Lutera's
Contains a higher-dose estrogen formula than Lutera's low-dose option, which may increase estrogen-related side effects for some users
Not commonly used off-label for menstrual cycle regulation the way Lutera is
Lutera
Lutera offers a lower-dose estrogen formulation that may appeal to those sensitive to higher hormone doses, and it's frequently used off-label to regulate irregular or heavy periods. It uses levonorgestrel, a progestin with a more androgenic profile that isn't ideal for acne-prone skin. Pricing and insurance coverage are similar to Sprintec's, so the choice usually comes down to hormone profile and secondary uses.
Pros
Low-dose formulation (0.1 mg levonorgestrel/0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol) that may cause fewer estrogen-related side effects
Commonly used off-label to regulate or lighten menstrual periods
Generic version of Alesse with a well-documented usage history since 2001
Cons
Not FDA-approved for acne treatment, unlike Sprintec
Uses levonorgestrel, a progestin with a higher androgenic profile that can worsen acne or oily skin in some users
Breakthrough bleeding and spotting affect a notable share of users, especially in the first cycle
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