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

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%)

Sprintec

Most common
headache/migraine (up to 32.9%)
vaginal infection (up to 8.4%)
abdominal/gastrointestinal pain (up to 7.8%)
genital discharge (up to 6.8%)

Yaz vs. Sprintec 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

Sprintec

Dosage
Dosage Table
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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