For the past 50 years, birth control pills have given women the freedom to plan childbirth and to take control of their bodies.
Here is a comparison between Mononessa and Sprintec, two popular birth control pills:
Mononessa
It is a birth control pill that is available by prescription only.
It contains ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate and is produced by Actavis, a global pharmaceutical company.
Sprintec
It is a 28-day regimen of tablets, with 21 days of active tablets and 7 days of inert tablets.
This medication contains both an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a progestin (norgestimate) and is part of the category of combined hormonal contraceptives.
Uses
Mononessa is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy.
Sprintec is used for preventing pregnancy.
In addition, it helps in making periods more regular, decreasing blood loss, relieving period pains, and decreasing the risk of ovarian cyst
Note – these birth control pills will not help as emergency contraception, like – after unprotected sexual contact.
Ingredients
Mononessa
Each green tablet contains:
- titanium dioxide;
- talc;
- polyvinyl alcohol;
- purified water;
- pregelatinized corn starch;
- polyethylene glycol;
- magnesium stearate;
- lactose;
- ferric oxide;
- FD & C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake.
Each blue tablet contains:
- 0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol;
- 0.250 mg norgestimate;
- titanium dioxide;
- purified water;
- polysorbate 80;
- polyethylene glycol;
- microcrystalline cellulose;
- magnesium stearate;
- lactose;
- hypromellose;
- croscarmellose sodium;
- carnauba wax;
- FD & C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake.
Sprintec
Each white tablet contains:
- microcrystalline cellulose;
- magnesium stearate;
- hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2208;
- anhydrous lactose.
Each blue tablet contains:
- 0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol;
- 0.250 mg norgestimate;
- pregelatinized corn starch;
- magnesium stearate;
- lactose monohydrate;
- FD&C blue no. 2 aluminum lake;
- anhydrous lactose.
Mechanism of Action
Mononessa works by preventing the release of an egg from an ovary.
Sprintec works by stopping a woman’s egg from full development every month.
Side Effects
Mononessa
The most common adverse events include:
- vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods;
- breast tenderness;
- nausea.
Serious side effects may include:
- leg, arm or groin pain;
- breast tissue discharge or changes;
- sudden shortness of breath;
- changes in vaginal bleeding during your period;
- vomiting;
- chest pain;
- tenderness in the upper abdomen;
- coughing up blood;
- yellowing of the eyes or skin;
- fainting spells;
- numbness in the arms or legs;
- dizziness;
- symptoms of vaginal infection;
- migraines;
- stomach pain;
- severe headaches;
- speech problems;
- sudden loss of coordination.
Sprintec
Possible side effects can include:
- missed/irregular periods;
- bleeding between menstrual periods;
- nausea;
- acne may improve or get worse;
- vomiting;
- decreased sex drive;
- headache;
- problems with contact lenses;
- stomach cramping/bloating;
- loss of scalp hair;
- loss of appetite;
- changes in weight;
- increased hair growth;
- dizziness;
- darkening of facial skin;
- nipple discharge;
- breast tenderness;
- increased vaginal discharge;
- vaginal discomfort.
Dosage
The recommended dose of Mononessa is 1 pill a day, no more than 24 hours apart.
The recommended dose of Sprintec is 1 pill a day, no more than 24 hours apart.
Warnings & Precautions
Mononessa
Before taking this birth control pill, tell your doctor if you have or ever had any of these conditions:
- an unusual or allergic reaction to progestins, estrogen, or other medications;
- abnormal vaginal bleeding;
- tobacco smoker;
- blood clots;
- high LDL cholesterol;
- blood vessel disease;
- systemic lupus erythematosus;
- cervical, endometrial, breast, liver, ovarian, or uterine cancer;
- stroke;
- diabetes;
- migraine headaches;
- gallbladder disease;
- liver disease;
- kidney disease;
- high blood pressure;
- heart disease.
Sprintec
Do not take this birth control pill if you have any of these conditions:
- migraines;
- uncontrolled high blood pressure;
- severe headaches;
- heart disease;
- gallbladder problems;
- blood clotting disorder;
- depression;
- jaundice due to birth control pills;
- circulation issues;
- breast or uterine cancer;
- acute migraine headaches;
- liver disease or cancer;
- unusual vaginal bleeding;
- diabetic complications with eyes or kidneys.
Drug Interactions
Mononessa may interact in a negative way with the following medications:
- felbamate;
- acetaminophen;
- carbamazepine;
- medicines for infections, like – rifabutin, rifapentine, rifampin, and griseofulvin;
- nefazodone;
- aprepitant;
- modafinil;
- atorvastatin;
- mycophenolate;
- barbiturate medicines, like – phenobarbital;
- prednisolone;
- bosentan;
- medicines for diabetes, especially pioglitazone;
- clofibrate;
- selegiline;
- cyclosporine;
- warfarin;
- dantrolene;
- theophylline;
- hydrocortisone;
- tamoxifen or raloxifene;
- medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems;
- topiramate;
- oxcarbazepine;
- rosuvastatin;
- medicines for HIV infection or AIDS;
- phenytoin.
Sprintec may interact in a negative way with the following medications:
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal);
- Aminoglutethimide (Cytadren);
- Theophylline (Uniphyl);
- antibiotics;
- Selegiline (Eldepryl);
- Topiramate (Topamax);
- Aprepitant (Emend);
- Ritonavir (Norvir);
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor);
- Nelfinavir (Viracept);
- Amobarbital (Amytal);
- Indinavir (Crixivan);
- Butalbital (Fioricet);
- Fosamprenavir (Lexiva);
- Pentobarbital (Nembutal);
- Atazanavir (Reyataz);
- Phenobarbital (Luminal);
- Amprenavir (Agenerase);
- Secobarbital (Seconal);
- Modafinil (Provigil);
- Cyclosporine (Gengraf);
- Phenytoin (Dilantin);
- Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal);
- Felbamate (Felbatol);
- Carbamazepine (Carbatrol).
Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks don’t have an impact on the effectiveness of these birth control pills.
ALSO READ: Monistat vs Diflucan
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Mononessa
Do not use it if you are breastfeeding a baby since the hormones in this medication can pass into breast milk as well as it may slow breast milk production.
Stop using this birth control pill right away if you miss 2 menstrual periods in a row or if you become pregnant.
Sprintec
This birth control pill is contraindicated during breastfeeding as it may produce adverse results on the breastfed infant as well as it may negatively influence milk production. It is forbidden to take this birth control pill during pregnancy.
Mononessa vs Sprintec – Differences
Mononessa is a prescription birth control medication that contains two hormones: norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol. Besides preventing pregnancy, it can also be used to decrease the risk of endometrial or ovarian cancer and lessen menstrual pain.
Sprintec (norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol) is a birth control pill that is available by prescription only.
Both birth control pills brands have the same active ingredients which work by causing changes in your cervix and uterus and affecting the release of an egg from one of your ovaries. Both should be taken once every 24 hours and have a similar mechanism of action. Also, both have an almost similar price. The only differences between them are their inactive ingredients and brand name.
Sources https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02127593 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9366821