See the DrugPatentWatch profile for mili
Are “Mili” and “Sprintec” the same birth control?
No. Mili and Sprintec are different brand names for different oral contraceptive pills, even though they’re both used to prevent pregnancy.
Mili is a combined oral contraceptive that contains ethinyl estradiol and a progestin called levonorgestrel (or a closely related formulation depending on the specific Mili product). Sprintec is also a combined oral contraceptive with ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate as its progestin.
What’s the difference between their hormone ingredients?
The key difference is the progestin:
- Mili: ethinyl estradiol + levonorgestrel
- Sprintec: ethinyl estradiol + norgestimate
Even when the estrogen dose is similar, changing the progestin can affect side effects and how some people respond.
Are they interchangeable, or can switching change side effects?
They are often used for similar purposes (pregnancy prevention, cycle control), but they are not automatically interchangeable. If you switch, your clinician or pharmacist may advise you based on:
- the exact pill strengths in your specific package (there are variations by product)
- how well you tolerate your current pill
- whether you need a specific dosing schedule (some combined pills are triphasic vs. monophasic)
If you’re considering switching, it’s best to confirm the active ingredients and dosing schedule on your specific prescription or pill pack.
How to check quickly on your prescription or pill pack
Look for these labels on the medication:
- “ethinyl estradiol” (estrogen) amount
- the progestin name and dose (for Mili typically levonorgestrel; for Sprintec typically norgestimate)
If you tell me the exact wording from your Mili or Sprintec label (or the hormone amounts printed on the pack), I can help verify how they compare.