Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ORTHO CEPT versus ORTHO TRI CYCLEN LO.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ORTHO CEPT versus ORTHO TRI CYCLEN LO.
ORTHO-CEPT vs ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO
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 estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (norgestimate) oral contraceptive. Suppresses gonadotropin release, inhibiting ovulation; increases cervical mucus viscosity, impeding sperm penetration; alters endometrial lining, reducing 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 daily orally for 21 days, followed by 7 placebo tablets. Each active tablet contains 0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.18 mg norelgestromin (days 1-7), 0.215 mg norelgestromin (days 8-14), 0.25 mg norelgestromin (days 15-21).
None Documented
None Documented
Desogestrel: 23 hours (terminal), Etonogestrel active metabolite: 30 hours (terminal); clinical steady state after 7-10 days
Norelgestromin: 15-20 hours; Ethinyl estradiol: 13-16 hours. Steady-state achieved within 7 days.
Renal: 50% (metabolites), Biliary/fecal: 40% (metabolites and unchanged drug), 10% unchanged in urine
Renal (∼40% as metabolites, <10% unchanged) and fecal (∼30% as metabolites); conjugated metabolites excreted in bile and undergo enterohepatic circulation.
Category C
Category C
Hormonal Contraceptive
Hormonal Contraceptive