Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: BREVICON 28 DAY versus OVRAL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: BREVICON 28 DAY versus OVRAL.
BREVICON 28-DAY vs OVRAL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Combination oral contraceptive; ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone suppress gonadotropin secretion (FSH and LH) via negative feedback, inhibiting ovulation. Additionally, alters cervical mucus consistency and endometrial lining to impede sperm penetration and implantation.
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 (0.5 mg norethindrone and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol) orally once daily for 28 days (21 active tablets followed by 7 inert tablets).
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
Norethindrone: 8-11 hours; Ethinyl estradiol: 13-27 hours; half-life for ethinyl estradiol allows once-daily dosing
Norgestrel: 24–32 hours; Ethinyl estradiol: 12–18 hours; steady-state achieved after 5–7 days
Renal: ~40% as metabolites and unchanged drug; fecal/biliary: ~60% as metabolites
Renal (60% as metabolites, ~40% unchanged); biliary/fecal (40%)
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive