Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LEVORA 0 15 30 28 versus OVULEN 28.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LEVORA 0 15 30 28 versus OVULEN 28.
LEVORA 0.15/30-28 vs OVULEN-28
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Combination oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. Suppresses gonadotropin (FSH and LH) release from the pituitary, inhibiting ovulation. Also induces changes in cervical mucus (increasing viscosity) and endometrium (reducing receptivity) to impair sperm penetration and implantation.
Combination estrogen-progestin oral contraceptive that inhibits ovulation primarily by suppressing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, reducing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, and altering cervical mucus and endometrial lining.
One tablet orally once daily at the same time each day for 28 days (21 active tablets containing 0.15 mg levonorgestrel and 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol, followed by 7 placebo tablets).
One tablet (ethinyl estradiol 0.05 mg / ethynodiol diacetate 1 mg) orally once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days placebo; continuous cycle.
None Documented
None Documented
Ethinyl estradiol: 13-27 hours (terminal); Levonorgestrel: 11-45 hours (terminal, dose-dependent due to SHBG binding).
Ethinyl estradiol: 13-27 hours (mean ~17 hours); Norethindrone: 5-14 hours (mean ~8 hours). Clinical context: Steady state reached within 5-7 days.
Renal: ~50% (as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel); Fecal: ~50% (enterohepatic recirculation).
Renal: ~50% as metabolites; Fecal/biliary: ~40% as conjugated metabolites; <1% unchanged in urine.
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive