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

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%)

Lutera

Most common
breakthrough bleeding (up to 30.5%)
headache (reported in trials)
nausea (reported in trials)
breast tenderness (reported in trials)

Yaz vs. Lutera 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

Lutera

Dosage
Dosage Table
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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