Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ORTHO NOVUM 7 14 21 versus OVRAL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ORTHO NOVUM 7 14 21 versus OVRAL.
ORTHO-NOVUM 7/14-21 vs OVRAL
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.
OVRAL is a combination oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel. It inhibits ovulation by suppressing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from the hypothalamus, reducing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) release from the pituitary. Additionally, it increases cervical mucus viscosity and alters endometrial receptivity, impeding sperm penetration and implantation.
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 (norgestrel 0.3 mg with ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg) orally once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days of placebo.
None Documented
None Documented
Norethindrone: 10-12 hours (terminal), ethinyl estradiol: 13-27 hours (terminal); clinical context: steady state achieved within 5-7 days
Norgestrel: 24–32 hours; Ethinyl estradiol: 12–18 hours; steady-state achieved after 5–7 days
Renal: ~40% as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates; Fecal: ~20%; Biliary: minor
Renal (60% as metabolites, ~40% unchanged); biliary/fecal (40%)
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive