Yaz vs. Lutera
See how Yaz and Lutera compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Yaz and Lutera are both combination birth control pills, but Yaz is also FDA-approved to treat PMDD and moderate acne, while Lutera only prevents pregnancy.
Lutera typically costs roughly $20 to $99 a month without insurance, notably less than Yaz's $112 to $226, though actual prices vary with coverage.
Yaz contains drospirenone, which can raise potassium levels, so it is not recommended for women with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease.
Yaz vs. Lutera Drug Summary
Yaz
Yaz is a combination oral contraceptive containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, taken once daily in a 28-day pack. Beyond preventing pregnancy, it is also FDA-approved to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder and moderate acne in women who want birth control.
Lutera
Lutera is a combination oral contraceptive containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, taken once daily for 21 active days followed by 7 inert days. It is FDA-approved only to prevent pregnancy, though some clinicians prescribe it off-label to regulate menstrual cycles.
Yaz vs. Lutera Side Effects
Yaz
Lutera
Yaz vs. Lutera Dosage
Yaz
Lutera
| 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 |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 tablet (0.1/0.02 mg) daily | Days 1-21 |
| Maximum dose | 1 inert tablet daily | Days 22-28 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 21 days |
Yaz
| 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 |
Lutera
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 tablet (0.1/0.02 mg) daily | Days 1-21 |
| Maximum dose | 1 inert tablet daily | Days 22-28 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 21 days |
Yaz vs. Lutera Indications
Yaz
Yaz is approved to prevent pregnancy, treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder in women who choose an oral contraceptive, and treat moderate acne in women 14 and older who also want birth control. It combines drospirenone, a progestin with mild diuretic-like effects, with ethinyl estradiol.
Prevents pregnancy when taken daily as directed
Treats PMDD in women who choose an oral contraceptive
Treats moderate acne in women 14 and older who want birth control
Lutera
Lutera is approved to prevent pregnancy and has no other FDA-approved indication. Some clinicians prescribe it off-label to regulate or lighten menstrual periods, though this use has not been formally studied for approval.
Prevents pregnancy when taken daily as directed
Used off-label by some clinicians to regulate menstrual cycles
Shares its hormone formula with the brand-name pill Alesse
Yaz vs. Lutera Pros and Cons
Yaz
Yaz stands out among combination pills for its added FDA approvals for PMDD and acne, giving it broader clinical use than many alternatives. It also carries a specific contraindication for kidney, liver, or adrenal disease because of its drospirenone component.
Pros
FDA-approved to treat PMDD, not just prevent pregnancy
FDA-approved to treat moderate acne in women 14 and older
Covers three approved uses in a single pill: contraception, PMDD, and acne
Cons
Contraindicated in women with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease
Requires added caution around potassium levels due to drospirenone
Roughly $112 to $226 per month without insurance, pricier than Lutera
Lutera
Lutera is a straightforward, low-dose contraceptive pill without the extra indications or potassium-related warnings that come with drospirenone-containing pills like Yaz. It has been available as a generic since 2001, giving it a long track record and typically lower cost.
Pros
Roughly $20 to $99 per month without insurance, generally cheaper than Yaz
No potassium-related contraindications, an option for kidney or liver concerns
Long-standing generic formulation with an established safety record
Cons
Not FDA-approved for PMDD or acne, only for pregnancy prevention
Breakthrough bleeding is common early on, affecting about 30.5% in cycle 1
Any use for cycle regulation is off-label, not FDA-approved
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