Yasmin vs. Apri

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

Key Takeaways

  • Yasmin contains drospirenone, which has anti-bloating effects, while Apri uses desogestrel, a progestin with minimal androgenic activity.

  • Both pills prevent pregnancy effectively, but Yasmin is also commonly used off-label for acne and PCOS-related cycle problems.

  • Yasmin requires potassium monitoring in certain patients, while Apri carries no such restriction but has less detailed side effect data in its labeling.

Yasmin vs. Apri Drug Summary

Yasmin

Yasmin is a combined oral contraceptive containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. It is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy and is taken once daily for 21 active days followed by 7 placebo days in a 28-day pack.

Apri

Apri is a combined oral contraceptive containing desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. It is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy and is taken once daily in a 28-day pack with 21 active tablets followed by 7 inert tablets.

Yasmin vs. Apri Side Effects

Yasmin

Most common
Premenstrual syndrome (up to 13.2%)
Headache/migraine (up to 10.7%)
Breast pain/tenderness (up to 8.3%)
Nausea/vomiting (up to 4.5%)

Apri

Most common
Headache (not quantified)
Breast tenderness (not quantified)
Nausea (not quantified)
Breakthrough bleeding/spotting (not quantified)

Yasmin vs. Apri Dosage

Yasmin

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 3 mg/0.03 mg once daily Days 1-21
Maximum dose Placebo tablet once daily Days 22-28
Dose changes 1 increase Every 21 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

Yasmin vs. Apri Indications

Yasmin

Yasmin is FDA-approved solely for preventing pregnancy in females of reproductive potential. Doctors also prescribe it off-label to treat acne, manage PCOS-related irregular cycles, and reduce heavy or painful periods.

  • Prevention of pregnancy in females of reproductive potential

  • Off-label: treatment of acne

  • Off-label: management of PCOS-related irregular cycles

Apri

Apri is FDA-approved only for preventing pregnancy in women who choose oral contraceptives. Unlike Yasmin, its FDA labeling does not describe any additional off-label uses, so it functions strictly as a standard combination birth control pill.

  • Prevention of pregnancy in women who choose oral contraceptives

  • 21 active tablets followed by 7 inert tablets each cycle

  • Generic equivalent of Ortho-Cept, an established combination pill

Yasmin vs. Apri Pros and Cons

Yasmin

Yasmin's drospirenone component offers anti-bloating effects not found in most other combined pills, and it has a well-documented off-label track record for acne and PCOS symptoms. It requires added caution in patients with kidney, liver, or adrenal issues because of its effect on potassium levels.

Pros

  • Drospirenone reduces bloating and fluid retention

  • Well-documented off-label use for acne and PCOS symptoms

  • Longer real-world use history since 2001 FDA approval

Cons

  • Contraindicated in kidney, liver, or adrenal disease

  • Requires potassium monitoring with certain medications

  • No generic equivalent noted, unlike Apri

Apri

Apri's desogestrel progestin carries minimal androgenic activity, which can be gentler on skin and mood for some users. It carries the same general contraceptive risks as Yasmin, but its label does not spell out specific rates for common side effects.

Pros

  • Desogestrel progestin has minimal androgenic activity

  • No potassium monitoring needed, unlike Yasmin

  • Available as a generic equivalent of Ortho-Cept

Cons

  • Side effect rates not quantified in FDA labeling

  • No documented off-label uses in its label, unlike Yasmin

  • Less anti-bloating benefit than drospirenone-containing pills

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