Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NORTREL 1 35 21 versus ORTHO NOVUM 7 14 21.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NORTREL 1 35 21 versus ORTHO NOVUM 7 14 21.
NORTREL 1/35-21 vs ORTHO-NOVUM 7/14-21
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Combination of ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) and norethindrone (progestin) suppresses gonadotropin (FSH and LH) release from the pituitary, inhibiting ovulation, altering cervical mucus to impede sperm penetration, and inducing endometrial changes that reduce implantation likelihood.
Combination estrogen-progestin contraceptive: suppresses gonadotropin release, inhibits ovulation, thickens cervical mucus, alters endometrial receptivity.
One tablet orally once daily for 21 days, followed by 7 days off, then repeat.
One tablet containing 0.5 mg norethindrone/0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol (white tablets) on days 1-14, then one tablet containing 1 mg norethindrone/0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol (peach tablets) on days 15-21, then no tablets for 7 days; repeated cycles.
None Documented
None Documented
Norethindrone: 5-14 hours; Ethinyl estradiol: 17-24 hours. Steady-state achieved after 10 days.
Norethindrone: 10-12 hours (terminal), ethinyl estradiol: 13-27 hours (terminal); clinical context: steady state achieved within 5-7 days
Renal 50-60% as metabolites, fecal 40-50% as conjugates, <1% unchanged
Renal: ~40% as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates; Fecal: ~20%; Biliary: minor
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive