Yaz vs. Apri

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

Key Takeaways

  • Yaz is FDA-approved to treat PMDD and moderate acne on top of preventing pregnancy, while Apri is approved only for pregnancy prevention.

  • Both pills carry an increased risk of blood clots and stroke, and neither should be used by women over 35 who smoke.

  • Yaz's drospirenone can raise potassium levels, so it isn't an option for women with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease, a restriction Apri does not carry.

Yaz vs. Apri Drug Summary

Yaz

Yaz is a combination oral contraceptive containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, taken once daily in a 28-day cycle. It prevents pregnancy and is also FDA-approved to treat PMDD and moderate acne in women who want birth control.

Apri

Apri is a combination oral contraceptive containing desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol, taken once daily across a 28-day cycle of 21 active and 7 inert tablets. It is FDA-approved only to prevent pregnancy.

Yaz vs. Apri Side Effects

Yaz

Most common
Headache/migraine (up to 6.7%)
Menstrual irregularities (up to 4.7%)
Nausea/vomiting (up to 4.2%)
Breast pain/tenderness (up to 4.0%)

Apri

Most common
Headache (rate not reported)
Nausea (rate not reported)
Breast tenderness (n/a)
Breakthrough bleeding/spotting (n/a)

Yaz vs. Apri Dosage

Yaz

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 3 mg/0.02 mg once daily Days 1-24
Maximum dose Inert tablet once daily Days 25-28
Dose changes 1 increase Every 24 days

Apri

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 1 active tablet daily Days 1-21
Maximum dose 1 inert tablet daily Days 22-28
Dose changes 1 increase Every 21 days

Yaz vs. Apri Indications

Yaz

Yaz prevents pregnancy and is also approved to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder and moderate acne in women who want an oral contraceptive. It is one of the few birth control pills with these dual approvals.

  • Prevent pregnancy

  • Treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

  • Treat moderate acne in women 14 and older who want oral contraception

Apri

Apri is approved only to prevent pregnancy. Some prescribers use combination pills like Apri off-label for acne or cycle-related mood symptoms, but this is not an FDA-approved use for this drug.

  • Prevent pregnancy (only FDA-approved use)

  • Off-label use for acne symptoms (not FDA-approved)

  • Off-label use for menstrual cycle regulation (not FDA-approved)

Yaz vs. Apri Pros and Cons

Yaz

Yaz offers added FDA approval for PMDD and acne that most combination pills, including Apri, do not have. Its drospirenone component carries a small risk of raising potassium, so it isn't an option for anyone with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease.

Pros

  • FDA-approved for PMDD, not just contraception

  • FDA-approved for moderate acne treatment

  • Drospirenone has anti-androgenic effects that may help skin

Cons

  • Contraindicated with renal, hepatic, or adrenal disease

  • Drospirenone can raise potassium levels (hyperkalemia risk)

  • Higher list price, roughly $112 to $226 per month before insurance

Apri

Apri is a straightforward contraceptive option without the added potassium risk that comes with drospirenone. It costs less out of pocket than Yaz but does not carry any additional FDA-approved use beyond preventing pregnancy.

Pros

  • No potassium-related contraindications like Yaz has

  • Desogestrel has minimal androgenic activity

  • Lower list price, roughly $30 to $99 per month before insurance

Cons

  • Not FDA-approved for PMDD or acne like Yaz is

  • Side effect rates aren't quantified in its FDA labeling

  • Requires off-label use for any benefit beyond contraception

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