Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ORTHO NOVUM 7 14 28 versus OVRAL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ORTHO NOVUM 7 14 28 versus OVRAL.
ORTHO-NOVUM 7/14-28 vs OVRAL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Combination oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. Suppresses gonadotropin release (FSH, LH) via negative feedback, inhibiting ovulation. Also increases cervical mucus viscosity and 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 daily for 28 days; each tablet contains norethindrone 0.5 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.035 mg (days 1-7), norethindrone 0.75 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.035 mg (days 8-14), norethindrone 1 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.035 mg (days 15-21), and placebo (days 22-28). Take at same time each day.
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
Ethinyl estradiol: ~13-27 h (mean 17 h); Norethindrone: ~5-14 h (mean 8 h). Clinical context: steady-state achieved after ~5 days; half-life supports daily dosing.
Norgestrel: 24–32 hours; Ethinyl estradiol: 12–18 hours; steady-state achieved after 5–7 days
Renal: ~50-60% (metabolites); biliary/fecal: ~30-40% (metabolites); unchanged drug <1% in urine.
Renal (60% as metabolites, ~40% unchanged); biliary/fecal (40%)
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive