Yasmin vs. Sprintec

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

Key Takeaways

  • Yasmin and Sprintec are both combined oral contraceptives taken once daily, but they use different progestins with different side effect profiles.

  • Yasmin's drospirenone may ease bloating but requires potassium monitoring, while Sprintec's norgestimate is linked to a much higher rate of headache in trials.

  • Sprintec is FDA-approved to treat moderate acne, while Yasmin is used off-label for acne and PCOS-related cycle irregularity.

Yasmin vs. Sprintec Drug Summary

Yasmin

Yasmin is a combined oral contraceptive containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, taken once daily in a 28-day pack with 21 active tablets followed by 7 placebo tablets. It's FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy and is also used off-label for acne, PCOS-related cycle irregularity, and heavy periods.

Sprintec

Sprintec is a combined oral contraceptive containing norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol, taken once daily with the same tablet used throughout the entire 28-day pack, including the inactive week. It's FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy and to treat moderate acne in females 15 and older.

Yasmin vs. Sprintec 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%)

Sprintec

Most common
Headache/migraine (up to 32.9%)
Vaginal infection (up to 8.4%)
Abdominal pain (up to 7.8%)
Genital discharge (up to 6.8%)

Yasmin vs. Sprintec 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

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

Yasmin vs. Sprintec Indications

Yasmin

Yasmin is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy. It's also prescribed off-label to help clear hormonal acne, regulate irregular cycles caused by PCOS, and lighten heavy or painful periods.

  • Prevention of pregnancy

  • Off-label: acne treatment

  • Off-label: PCOS-related irregular cycles

  • Off-label: reduction of heavy or painful periods

Sprintec

Sprintec is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy and, unlike Yasmin, also carries an FDA approval for treating moderate acne in females 15 and older. It is not approved for emergency contraception or for women over 35 who smoke.

  • Prevention of pregnancy

  • FDA-approved treatment of moderate acne (15+)

  • Not approved for emergency contraception

  • Not approved for women over 35 who smoke

Yasmin vs. Sprintec Pros and Cons

Yasmin

Yasmin's drospirenone component may ease bloating and fluid retention, but it requires potassium monitoring in patients taking certain other medications and is not recommended for those with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease. It typically costs more out of pocket than Sprintec.

Pros

  • Contains drospirenone, which may reduce bloating and fluid retention

  • Backed by off-label use for PCOS-related irregular cycles and heavy periods

  • Lower headache rate in trials (about 11%) than Sprintec (about 33%)

Cons

  • Requires potassium monitoring in patients on ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or NSAIDs

  • Contraindicated in kidney, liver, or adrenal disease

  • Typically costs more out of pocket: roughly $50 to $96 a month without insurance, versus $20 to $65 for Sprintec

Sprintec

Sprintec's monophasic, norgestimate-based formula has a long safety record and is also FDA-approved to treat moderate acne, unlike Yasmin's off-label acne use. It tends to cost less out of pocket, though it carries a notably higher rate of headache in clinical trials.

Pros

  • FDA-approved to treat moderate acne in females 15 and older

  • Same tablet taken every day of the pack, with no separate placebo week to track

  • Typically costs less out of pocket: roughly $20 to $65 a month without insurance, versus $50 to $96 for Yasmin

Cons

  • Higher rate of headache/migraine in trials (about 33%) than Yasmin (about 11%)

  • Higher rate of vaginal infection and genital discharge reported in trials

  • No specific evidence supporting use for PCOS-related cycle irregularity

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