Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ORTHO NOVUM 7 14 21 versus OVULEN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ORTHO NOVUM 7 14 21 versus OVULEN.
ORTHO-NOVUM 7/14-21 vs OVULEN
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.
Ovulen is a combination oral contraceptive containing ethynodiol diacetate (a progestin) and mestranol (an estrogen). It inhibits ovulation by suppressing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, reducing luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion from the pituitary. It also increases cervical mucus viscosity and alters endometrial development, 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.
1 tablet (1 mg ethynodiol diacetate, 50 mcg mestranol) orally once daily for 21 days, followed by 7 days of placebo or no medication.
None Documented
None Documented
Norethindrone: 10-12 hours (terminal), ethinyl estradiol: 13-27 hours (terminal); clinical context: steady state achieved within 5-7 days
Ethinylestradiol: 10-20 hours (mean 17 hours); Dimethisterone: 10-15 hours. Clinical context: Steady state achieved after 3-5 days; elimination prolonged in hepatic impairment.
Renal: ~40% as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates; Fecal: ~20%; Biliary: minor
Renal: 50-60% as metabolites (glucuronide and sulfate conjugates), biliary/fecal: 40-50% (enterohepatic circulation).
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive