Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ORTHO CEPT versus ORTHO CYCLEN 28.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ORTHO CEPT versus ORTHO CYCLEN 28.
ORTHO-CEPT vs ORTHO CYCLEN-28
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Combination oral contraceptive containing desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. Inhibits ovulation by suppressing gonadotropin secretion; increases viscosity of cervical mucus, impeding sperm penetration; alters endometrial development.
Combination oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate. The primary mechanism is inhibition of gonadotropin secretion (FSH and LH) via negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, thereby suppressing ovulation. Additional effects include thickening of cervical mucus (impedes sperm penetration) and alterations in the endometrium (reduces implantation likelihood).
One tablet (0.15 mg desogestrel / 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol) orally once daily at the same time each day for 21 days, followed by 7 placebo tablets (or 7 hormone-free days).
One tablet (0.18 mg norgestimate/0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol) orally once daily for 28 days, first tablet on day 1 of menstrual cycle with 7 placebo tablets in last 7 days.
None Documented
None Documented
Desogestrel: 23 hours (terminal), Etonogestrel active metabolite: 30 hours (terminal); clinical steady state after 7-10 days
Ethinyl estradiol: 13-27 hours; Norelgestromin (active metabolite of norgestimate): 28-52 hours. Terminal half-lives support once-daily dosing.
Renal: 50% (metabolites), Biliary/fecal: 40% (metabolites and unchanged drug), 10% unchanged in urine
Renal (60-70% as metabolites, ~20% unchanged), Fecal (30-40% as metabolites); primarily conjugated metabolites of ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate.
Category C
Category C
Hormonal Contraceptive
Hormonal Contraceptive