drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol vs ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel
Side-by-side comparison of drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Yaz, Yasmin
Levlen, Triphasil
This medicine contains drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, which are hormones that prevent pregnancy. It also contains folate to help raise folate levels.
Amethia is a birth control pill that you take every day to prevent pregnancy. It contains two hormones, estrogen and progestin.
This medicine can prevent pregnancy. It can also treat symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) if you also want birth control. This medicine can also treat moderate acne in women at least 14 years old who also want birth control.
Amethia is used by women to prevent pregnancy. It contains two hormones that work together to stop you from getting pregnant. You must take it exactly as directed to prevent pregnancy.
This medicine prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). It also changes the lining of the uterus, making it harder for a fertilized egg to implant. The folate helps increase folate levels in the body.
Amethia works by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). It also thickens the mucus in the cervix, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg. The hormones in Amethia also change the lining of the uterus.
- • Headache or migraine
- • Irregular periods
- • Nausea or vomiting
- • Breast pain or tenderness
- • Irregular or heavy uterine bleeding
- • Weight gain
- • Acne
- • Nausea
- • Breast tenderness
- Pain 13,037
- Injury 10,860
- Blood clot in the lungs 9,316
- Blood clot in a deep vein 8,390
- Anxiety 6,996
- The drug did not work 16
- Feeling sick to your stomach 15
- Throwing up 13
- Stomach pain 10
- Exposure to the drug during pregnancy 9
Cigarette smoking increases your risk of serious heart problems when using birth control pills. This risk is higher if you are over 35 and smoke. Women over 35 who smoke should not use this medicine.
Cigarette smoking increases your risk of serious heart problems from birth control pills. This risk is higher if you are over 35 and smoke. If you are over 35 and smoke, you should not use Amethia.
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. This medicine can reduce milk production while breastfeeding. If possible, use other birth control methods until you stop breastfeeding.
Amethia should not be used during pregnancy. It is also not recommended if you are breastfeeding, as it can reduce milk production and small amounts of the drug can pass into breast milk.
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How to Read This drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol vs ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel Comparison
drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol is classified in the Combined Oral Contraceptive drug class, while ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel sits within the Combined Oral Contraceptive class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol has 48,599 submissions while ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel has 63. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.