Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ORTHO NOVUM 7 14 21 versus ORTHO NOVUM 7 7 7 28.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ORTHO NOVUM 7 14 21 versus ORTHO NOVUM 7 7 7 28.
ORTHO-NOVUM 7/14-21 vs ORTHO-NOVUM 7/7/7-28
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Combination estrogen-progestin contraceptive: suppresses gonadotropin release, inhibits ovulation, thickens cervical mucus, alters endometrial receptivity.
Combination of estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (norethindrone) inhibits gonadotropin secretion, preventing ovulation; increases cervical mucus viscosity, impeding sperm penetration; alters endometrial development, reducing implantation likelihood.
One tablet containing 0.5 mg norethindrone/0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol (white tablets) on days 1-14, then one tablet containing 1 mg norethindrone/0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol (peach tablets) on days 15-21, then no tablets for 7 days; repeated cycles.
One tablet orally once daily for 28 consecutive days (21 active tablets followed by 7 placebo tablets). Each active tablet contains 0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol and varying progestin doses: 7 tablets of 0.5 mg norethindrone, 7 tablets of 0.75 mg norethindrone, and 7 tablets of 1 mg norethindrone.
None Documented
None Documented
Norethindrone: 10-12 hours (terminal), ethinyl estradiol: 13-27 hours (terminal); clinical context: steady state achieved within 5-7 days
EE: terminal half-life 13-27 hours (mean ~17 hours); NET: 7-13 hours (mean ~10 hours). Clinical context: steady state reached after 4-7 days; missed pills may reduce contraceptive efficacy.
Renal: ~40% as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates; Fecal: ~20%; Biliary: minor
Ethinyl estradiol (EE) is excreted in urine (40%) and feces (60%) as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates. Norethindrone (NET) is excreted primarily in urine (60-80%) as glucuronide conjugates, with 10% in feces. Biliary excretion contributes minimally.
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive