Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NORLESTRIN FE 1 50 versus QUARTETTE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NORLESTRIN FE 1 50 versus QUARTETTE.
NORLESTRIN FE 1/50 vs QUARTETTE
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Combination of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate provides negative feedback on gonadotropin release, suppressing ovulation. Also causes cervical mucus thickening and endometrial thinning.
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 (norethindrone 1 mg and ethinyl estradiol 50 mcg plus ferrous fumarate 75 mg) orally once daily for 28 days, with 21 active tablets and 7 placebo tablets.
3 mg orally once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days of placebo.
None Documented
None Documented
Norethindrone: 5-12 hours (mean 8 hours). Ethinyl estradiol: 11-16 hours. Clinical context: Steady state reached in 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.
Norethindrone: 20% renal, 80% fecal. Ethinyl estradiol: 40% renal, 60% fecal.
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