Yes, Sprintec is a combination oral contraceptive. It contains two hormones: norgestimate (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). Each active pill delivers 0.250 mg of norgestimate and 0.035 mg of ethinyl estradiol.
What “Combination Pill” Means
Birth control pills fall into two categories: combination pills, which contain both an estrogen and a progestin, and progestin-only pills (sometimes called the “mini-pill”), which contain just one hormone. Sprintec falls squarely in the combination category. The two hormones work together to prevent pregnancy in multiple ways: stopping ovulation so no egg is released, thickening cervical mucus to block sperm, and thinning the uterine lining to make implantation less likely.
Sprintec Is Monophasic
Beyond being a combination pill, Sprintec is specifically a monophasic pill. That means every active tablet delivers the same dose of hormones. All 21 active pills in the pack are identical blue tablets with 0.250 mg norgestimate and 0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol.
This is different from a triphasic pill like Tri-Sprintec, which uses three different hormone levels across the cycle. Tri-Sprintec starts with gray tablets containing 0.18 mg norgestimate, moves to light blue tablets with 0.215 mg, and finishes with blue tablets at 0.25 mg. The estrogen dose stays the same in both versions, but the progestin steps up in the triphasic version. The monophasic design of Sprintec keeps hormone levels steady, which some people find causes fewer mood shifts or breakthrough bleeding.
How the 28-Day Pack Works
A standard Sprintec pack contains 28 tablets: 21 active blue pills followed by 7 white inactive pills. You take one active pill daily for three weeks, then switch to the inactive pills for the fourth week. The inactive tablets contain no hormones and exist purely as placeholders to keep you in the habit of taking a pill every day. Your period typically arrives during that fourth week while you’re on the inactive pills.
Common Side Effects
In clinical trials involving over 1,600 women, the most frequently reported side effects were headaches or migraines (about 33%), vaginal infections (8.4%), abdominal pain (7.8%), genital discharge (6.8%), and breast pain or tenderness (6.3%). Mood changes, including depression, affected about 5% of users. Less common effects included bloating (3.2%), nervousness (2.9%), and rash (2.6%).
Many of these side effects are most noticeable in the first two or three months as your body adjusts to the hormones. They often improve after that initial period.
Who Should Not Take Sprintec
Because Sprintec contains estrogen, it carries risks that don’t apply to progestin-only pills. The most serious concern is blood clots. You should not use Sprintec if you:
- Smoke and are over 35
- Have a history of blood clots, stroke, or coronary artery disease
- Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Have diabetes with blood vessel damage
- Get migraines with aura, or any migraines if you’re over 35
- Have liver disease or liver tumors
- Have or have had breast cancer or another hormone-sensitive cancer
- Have certain heart valve conditions or irregular heart rhythms that increase clot risk
These contraindications are tied specifically to the estrogen component. People who fall into any of these categories are often directed toward progestin-only options instead, which don’t carry the same clot risk.
Sprintec vs. Other Combination Pills
Sprintec uses a moderate estrogen dose at 0.035 mg of ethinyl estradiol. Some newer combination pills use lower estrogen doses (0.020 or 0.030 mg) to reduce side effects, while others use the same 0.035 mg level. The progestin norgestimate is considered a “third-generation” progestin, generally well tolerated with a lower tendency to cause androgenic side effects like acne or unwanted hair growth compared to older progestins.
Generic equivalents of Sprintec contain the same hormones at the same doses. If your pharmacy substitutes a generic, the active ingredients are identical.