Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NORQUEST FE versus QUARTETTE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NORQUEST FE versus QUARTETTE.
NORQUEST FE vs QUARTETTE
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
NORQUEST FE is a combination oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. Ethinyl estradiol suppresses gonadotropin release, inhibiting ovulation. Norethindrone induces progestational changes in the endometrium, increasing cervical mucus viscosity, and also inhibits ovulation.
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 orally once daily, each tablet containing 1 mg norethindrone acetate and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol (21 active tablets) followed by 7 ferrous fumarate tablets.
3 mg orally once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days of placebo.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal half-life: 6-8 hours. Clinical context: Supports once-daily dosing with sustained therapeutic effect.
Terminal elimination half-life is 12-14 hours; clinically this supports once-daily dosing with steady state achieved within 2-3 days.
Renal: 80% (50% unchanged, 30% as metabolites); Fecal: 19%; Biliary: <1%
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