Yaz vs. Junel Fe

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

Key Takeaways

  • Yaz and Junel Fe are both once-daily combination birth control pills, but Yaz also carries FDA approval for treating PMDD and acne, while Junel Fe is approved only for pregnancy prevention.

  • Yaz's drospirenone progestin can raise potassium levels and is contraindicated in women with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease, a risk Junel Fe's norethindrone does not carry.

  • Junel Fe typically costs far less per month than Yaz and includes iron tablets during the placebo week, while Yaz's added FDA-approved uses come with a higher price tag.

Yaz vs. Junel Fe Drug Summary

Yaz

Yaz is a combination oral contraceptive (drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol) taken once daily to prevent pregnancy. It is also FDA-approved to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and moderate acne in women who want an oral contraceptive. Yaz follows a 24-day hormone regimen followed by 4 inactive days.

Junel Fe

Junel Fe is a combination oral contraceptive (norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol) with iron-containing placebo tablets, taken once daily to prevent pregnancy. It follows a standard 21 active days plus 7 days of ferrous fumarate tablets that help offset iron loss from menstruation. Its FDA approval covers pregnancy prevention only, though doctors often prescribe it off-label for cycle regulation and acne.

Yaz vs. Junel Fe 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%)

Junel Fe

Most common
Abnormal bleeding (up to 0.9%)
Nausea (up to 0.8%)
Mood changes (up to 0.8%)
Menstrual cramps (up to 0.4%)

Yaz vs. Junel Fe 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

Junel Fe

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

Yaz vs. Junel Fe Indications

Yaz

Yaz is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy, treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and treat moderate acne in women who also want oral contraception. It is one of the few combination pills carrying all three approvals on its label.

  • Prevent pregnancy

  • Treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

  • Treat moderate acne vulgaris (age 14+)

Junel Fe

Junel Fe's only FDA-approved use is pregnancy prevention. Doctors commonly prescribe it off-label to regulate irregular cycles, manage heavy periods or painful cramps, and help control acne, but these uses are not on the FDA label.

  • Prevent pregnancy (FDA-approved)

  • Regulate irregular menstrual cycles (off-label)

  • Manage heavy menstrual bleeding (off-label)

Yaz vs. Junel Fe Pros and Cons

Yaz

Yaz is a drospirenone-based pill with FDA approval for pregnancy prevention, PMDD, and acne, giving it broader labeled uses than most oral contraceptives. Its antimineralocorticoid progestin can raise potassium levels, so it is not an option for women with kidney, liver, or adrenal problems. Its cash price generally runs higher than older generic pills like Junel Fe.

Pros

  • FDA-approved specifically for PMDD, not just off-label

  • FDA-approved for treating moderate acne

  • Drospirenone has antiandrogenic effects that can improve skin

Cons

  • Contraindicated in women with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease

  • Carries a risk of hyperkalemia (elevated potassium)

  • Roughly $112 to $226 per month without insurance, well above Junel Fe

Junel Fe

Junel Fe is a well-established norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol pill with decades of use, though its FDA approval covers pregnancy prevention only. Its placebo-week tablets contain iron to help offset menstrual iron loss, a feature Yaz does not include. It is generally available at a much lower list price than Yaz.

Pros

  • Decades of real-world use since its 1968 FDA approval

  • Ferrous fumarate tablets help replace iron lost during periods

  • Roughly $25 to $50 per month without insurance, well below Yaz

Cons

  • Only FDA-approved for pregnancy prevention; other uses are off-label

  • Norethindrone lacks the antiandrogenic effect that helps some acne

  • No FDA approval for PMDD despite common off-label demand

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