Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LOW OGESTREL 21 versus QUARTETTE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LOW OGESTREL 21 versus QUARTETTE.
LOW-OGESTREL-21 vs QUARTETTE
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Combination oral contraceptive. Suppresses gonadotropin release (FSH and LH) via estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (norgestrel), inhibiting ovulation. Also increases cervical mucus viscosity and alters endometrium.
Combination oral contraceptive containing drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, levomefolate calcium, and metformin. Drospirenone is a progestin with antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic activity. Ethinyl estradiol is an estrogen. Levomefolate calcium is a folate supplement. Metformin is a biguanide that decreases hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity.
One tablet (norgestrel 0.3 mg/ethinyl estradiol 30 mcg) orally once daily for 21 days, followed by 7 pill-free days.
3 mg orally once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days of placebo.
None Documented
None Documented
Norgestrel: 18-28 hours; ethinyl estradiol: 13-27 hours. Steady-state achieved after 5-7 days.
Terminal elimination half-life is 12-14 hours; clinically this supports once-daily dosing with steady state achieved within 2-3 days.
Ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel are excreted primarily as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates in urine (50-60%) and feces (30-40%).
Renal excretion accounts for 55% (primarily as unchanged drug), biliary/fecal excretion 35%, and the remainder undergoes metabolic clearance.
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive