Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NORTREL 1 35 21 versus OVULEN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NORTREL 1 35 21 versus OVULEN.
NORTREL 1/35-21 vs OVULEN
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.
Ovulen is a combination oral contraceptive containing ethynodiol diacetate (a progestin) and mestranol (an estrogen). It inhibits ovulation by suppressing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, reducing luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion from the pituitary. It also increases cervical mucus viscosity and alters endometrial development, impeding sperm penetration and implantation.
One tablet orally once daily for 21 days, followed by 7 days off, then repeat.
1 tablet (1 mg ethynodiol diacetate, 50 mcg mestranol) orally once daily for 21 days, followed by 7 days of placebo or no medication.
None Documented
None Documented
Norethindrone: 5-14 hours; Ethinyl estradiol: 17-24 hours. Steady-state achieved after 10 days.
Ethinylestradiol: 10-20 hours (mean 17 hours); Dimethisterone: 10-15 hours. Clinical context: Steady state achieved after 3-5 days; elimination prolonged in hepatic impairment.
Renal 50-60% as metabolites, fecal 40-50% as conjugates, <1% unchanged
Renal: 50-60% as metabolites (glucuronide and sulfate conjugates), biliary/fecal: 40-50% (enterohepatic circulation).
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive