Yaz vs. Sprintec
See how Yaz and Sprintec compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Yaz is FDA-approved for pregnancy prevention, PMDD, and acne, while Sprintec is approved only for pregnancy prevention with acne use considered off-label.
Sprintec typically costs far less per month than Yaz, though both carry similar cardiovascular risks tied to smoking.
Yaz contains drospirenone, which requires caution in women with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease, while Sprintec's norgestimate does not carry that specific risk.
Yaz vs. Sprintec Drug Summary
Yaz
Yaz is a combination oral contraceptive containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. It prevents pregnancy and is also FDA-approved to treat PMDD and moderate acne in women 14 and older. It's taken as one tablet daily, with 24 active pills followed by 4 inert pills.
Sprintec
Sprintec is a combination oral contraceptive containing norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol. It's FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy and is sometimes used off-label to treat moderate acne in women 15 and older. It's taken as one tablet daily throughout the 28-day pack, with 21 active pills followed by 7 inert pills.
Yaz vs. Sprintec Side Effects
Yaz
Sprintec
Yaz vs. Sprintec Dosage
Yaz
Sprintec
| 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 once daily | Days 1-28 |
| Maximum dose | 1 tablet once daily | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
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 |
Sprintec
| 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 |
Yaz vs. Sprintec Indications
Yaz
Yaz is approved for three separate uses: pregnancy prevention, PMDD, and moderate acne in women who also want contraception. This makes it a fit for women managing acne or severe premenstrual symptoms alongside their birth control needs.
Prevents pregnancy
Treats PMDD
Treats moderate acne (age 14+)
Sprintec
Sprintec's FDA approval covers only pregnancy prevention, though clinicians sometimes prescribe it off-label for moderate acne in women 15 and older. It doesn't carry an official PMDD indication, so women needing that specific approval may look elsewhere.
Prevents pregnancy
Off-label treatment of moderate acne (15+)
No FDA approval for PMDD treatment
Yaz vs. Sprintec Pros and Cons
Yaz
Yaz stands out among oral contraceptives for its added approvals in PMDD and acne, making it useful for women who need more than pregnancy prevention. It costs more than many generic options and carries specific contraindications related to potassium levels.
Pros
Approved for PMDD, unlike most oral contraceptives
Approved for acne treatment starting at age 14
Antimineralocorticoid progestin may reduce fluid retention
Cons
Contraindicated with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease
Requires monitoring for hyperkalemia with certain drugs
Roughly $112 to $226 per month without insurance
Sprintec
Sprintec offers the same core contraceptive protection as many combination pills at a much lower price point, backed by decades of clinical use since 1989. It lacks Yaz's additional PMDD and acne approvals, so it may not suit women seeking those specific benefits.
Pros
Long track record of use since 1989 approval
Roughly $20 to $65 per month without insurance
Monophasic dosing keeps hormone levels steady
Cons
Acne treatment is off-label, not FDA-approved
No specific PMDD indication
Higher reported rate of headache in clinical trials
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