Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: OGESTREL 0 5 50 21 versus OVULEN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: OGESTREL 0 5 50 21 versus OVULEN.
OGESTREL 0.5/50-21 vs OVULEN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Combination of norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol suppresses gonadotropin release, inhibiting ovulation; alters cervical mucus and endometrial lining.
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 (norgestrel 0.5 mg / ethinyl estradiol 0.05 mg) orally once daily for 21 days, followed by 7 placebo days.
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
Norgestrel: 24-32 hours; Ethinyl estradiol: 7-12 hours. Clinical context: Steady state achieved after 5-7 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% (metabolites); Fecal/Biliary: ~50% (metabolites); <1% unchanged in urine.
Renal: 50-60% as metabolites (glucuronide and sulfate conjugates), biliary/fecal: 40-50% (enterohepatic circulation).
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive