Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: HAILEY 1 5 30 versus NORTREL 0 5 35 21.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: HAILEY 1 5 30 versus NORTREL 0 5 35 21.
HAILEY 1.5/30 vs NORTREL 0.5/35-21
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Combination oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel. Ethinyl estradiol suppresses gonadotropin release via negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis; desogestrel, a progestin, inhibits ovulation and alters cervical mucus and endometrial receptivity.
Combination hormonal contraceptive containing norethindrone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). Norethindrone inhibits ovulation by suppressing gonadotropin release (LH and FSH) and alters cervical mucus and endometrial receptivity. Ethinyl estradiol provides negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, further suppressing ovulation.
One tablet (ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg, levonorgestrel 0.15 mg) orally once daily at the same time each day for 21 days, followed by 7 placebo tablets. For continuous cycling, may take active tablets daily without placebo.
1 tablet orally once daily for 21 days, followed by 7 days off. Each tablet contains 0.5 mg norethindrone and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life of ethinyl estradiol is 13-27 hours (mean 17 hours); for norgestimate, active metabolite norelgestromin has half-life 12-30 hours (mean 19 hours). Steady state reached after 7-14 days.
Norethindrone: terminal half-life approximately 7-8 hours. Ethinyl estradiol: terminal half-life approximately 13-27 hours, mean about 17 hours. Ethinyl estradiol exhibits a longer half-life due to enterohepatic recirculation and extensive tissue distribution.
Approximately 40% renal (as metabolites), 32% fecal (as metabolites), and <1% unchanged in urine.
Norethindrone is primarily excreted renally (approximately 60-80% as metabolites) and approximately 20-40% fecally. Ethinyl estradiol is excreted renally (about 40%) and fecally (about 60%) as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates.
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive