Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ORTHO CEPT versus ORTHO NOVUM 2 21.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ORTHO CEPT versus ORTHO NOVUM 2 21.
ORTHO-CEPT vs ORTHO-NOVUM 2-21
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 of estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (norethindrone) inhibits ovulation via negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, suppressing gonadotropin release. Additionally, induces changes in cervical mucus and endometrium.
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 orally once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days off. Each tablet contains norethindrone 2 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.1 mg.
None Documented
None Documented
Desogestrel: 23 hours (terminal), Etonogestrel active metabolite: 30 hours (terminal); clinical steady state after 7-10 days
Norethindrone: terminal half-life 5-12 hours; ethinyl estradiol: terminal half-life 7-20 hours (enterohepatic recirculation may prolong effect). Steady-state achieved after 5-7 days.
Renal: 50% (metabolites), Biliary/fecal: 40% (metabolites and unchanged drug), 10% unchanged in urine
Renal (approx. 60% as metabolites), fecal (approx. 40% as metabolites). Norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol are extensively metabolized; less than 5% excreted unchanged in urine.
Category C
Category C
Hormonal Contraceptive
Hormonal Contraceptive