Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: BEYAZ versus OVRAL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: BEYAZ versus OVRAL.
BEYAZ vs OVRAL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Combination of ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone suppresses gonadotropins (FSH and LH) from the pituitary, inhibiting ovulation, altering cervical mucus, and inducing endometrial changes. Drospirenone is a spironolactone analogue with antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic activity.
OVRAL is a combination oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel. It inhibits ovulation by suppressing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from the hypothalamus, reducing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) release from the pituitary. Additionally, it increases cervical mucus viscosity and alters endometrial receptivity, impeding sperm penetration and implantation.
One tablet (drospirenone 3 mg / ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg) orally once daily for 24 days, followed by 4 days of placebo.
One tablet (norgestrel 0.3 mg with ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg) orally once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days of placebo.
None Documented
None Documented
Drospirenone: approximately 30 hours (terminal). Ethinyl estradiol: approximately 13-15 hours (terminal). Steady-state reached within 10 days. Clinical context: once-daily dosing maintains therapeutic levels with minimal accumulation after 3-4 cycles.
Norgestrel: 24–32 hours; Ethinyl estradiol: 12–18 hours; steady-state achieved after 5–7 days
Urine (45-55% as metabolites), feces (30-40% as metabolites), with enterohepatic recirculation of ethinyl estradiol metabolites.
Renal (60% as metabolites, ~40% unchanged); biliary/fecal (40%)
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive