Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NORTREL 1 35 21 versus QUARTETTE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NORTREL 1 35 21 versus QUARTETTE.
NORTREL 1/35-21 vs QUARTETTE
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 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 for 21 days, followed by 7 days off, then repeat.
3 mg orally once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days of placebo.
None Documented
None Documented
Norethindrone: 5-14 hours; Ethinyl estradiol: 17-24 hours. Steady-state achieved after 10 days.
Terminal elimination half-life is 12-14 hours; clinically this supports once-daily dosing with steady state achieved within 2-3 days.
Renal 50-60% as metabolites, fecal 40-50% as conjugates, <1% unchanged
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