Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: QUARTETTE versus TRI SPRINTEC.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: QUARTETTE versus TRI SPRINTEC.
QUARTETTE vs TRI-SPRINTEC
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Combination oral contraceptive containing drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, levomefolate calcium, and metformin. Drospirenone is a progestin with antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic activity. Ethinyl estradiol is an estrogen. Levomefolate calcium is a folate supplement. Metformin is a biguanide that decreases hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity.
Combination of ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate suppresses gonadotropin release, inhibiting ovulation, and increases viscosity of cervical mucus to inhibit sperm penetration.
3 mg orally once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days of placebo.
One tablet (0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol / 0.250 mg norgestimate) orally once daily for 21 days, followed by 7 days of placebo tablets. Repeat cycle.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is 12-14 hours; clinically this supports once-daily dosing with steady state achieved within 2-3 days.
Norelgestromin: 28 hours; Ethinyl estradiol: 17 hours. Steady-state achieved within 7 days.
Renal excretion accounts for 55% (primarily as unchanged drug), biliary/fecal excretion 35%, and the remainder undergoes metabolic clearance.
Renal: 50% (metabolites); Fecal: 35% (eliminated in bile); unchanged drug <1%.
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive