Isibloom Vs. Apri: What’s The Difference?

How they work

Isibloom and Apri are combination birth control pills and are considered equivalent medications. This means they contain the same levels of two hormones: estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (norgestimate). These hormones prevent pregnancy by:

• Inhibiting the release of an egg during your menstrual cycle
• Thickening vaginal fluid to make it more difficult for sperm to reach the egg

Effectiveness

Like other combination birth control pills, Isibloom and Apri are 91% effective with typical use and 99% effective with perfect use. Keep in mind, Isibloom and Apri don’t protect against STIs (sexually transmitted infections)—only barrier methods do that! If you want additional protection, consider pairing your birth control pill with a female condom.

Effect on skin quality

You may notice improvement in your skin while taking Isibloom or Apri. This happens because birth control pills work to stabilize your hormone levels; however, if acne is a major concern of yours, you may want to look into one of the four brands that are FDA-approved to treat acne:

• Ortho Tri-Cyclen
• Estrostep
• Beyaz
• Yaz

Effect on weight

Like most birth control pills, Isibloom and Apri are low enough in estrogen that they do not contribute to permanent weight gain. Some people may gain 1-4 pounds in the first month of using hormonal birth control, but those pounds will usually go away quickly as this is mainly water weight.

Dosage

Isibloom and Apri are oral birth control pills that come in 28-day packs. Each pack contains 21 active pills and 7 placebo pills that need to be taken at the same time daily.

How to take Isibloom

• Take one yellow (active) pill daily, for 21 days
• Take one green (placebo) pill daily, for 7 days

How to take Apri

• Take one pink (active) pill daily, for 21 days
• Take one white (placebo) pill daily, for 7 days

Side effects

Isibloom and Apri may cause a few side effects, but the majority of the side effects experienced by patients are mild and usually go away after a few months. Some of the side effects, however, are more serious and may require medical care.

Common side effects:

• spotting
• bloating
• nausea
• moodiness
• breast tenderness

Serious side effects:

• blood clots
• stomach pain
• severe headaches
• high blood pressure

If you experience any of the serious side effects, contact a doctor immediately. If you're still struggling with any of the common side effects after you've been on Isibloom or Apri for three months, another birth control brand may be a better fit. Talk to your doctor about your options. Our doctors are available to reassess and rewrite your prescription at any time (at no cost to you).

Cost

When it comes to price consideration, both Isibloom and Apri are very affordable birth control options. If you have insurance, you can get Isibloom or Apri for a $0 copay*, and if you’re paying out-of-pocket, you can get it for as little as $20/month through SimpleHealth.

*In the rare case a copay over $20 is required - you’ll hear from us!