Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: QUARTETTE versus TRIPHASIL 28.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: QUARTETTE versus TRIPHASIL 28.
QUARTETTE vs TRIPHASIL-28
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 estrogen-progestin contraceptive; suppresses gonadotropin secretion, inhibits ovulation, alters cervical mucus and endometrium.
3 mg orally once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days of placebo.
1 tablet orally once daily for 28 days; each tablet contains levonorgestrel 0.050 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.030 mg (6 days), levonorgestrel 0.075 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.040 mg (5 days), levonorgestrel 0.125 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.030 mg (10 days), followed by 7 inert tablets. The first dose is taken on the first Sunday after onset of menstruation or on day 1 of the menstrual 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.
Levonorgestrel: terminal half-life 11-45 hours (mean 24-30 h); Ethinyl estradiol: terminal half-life 10-27 hours (mean 17 h). Steady-state reached after 5-7 days.
Renal excretion accounts for 55% (primarily as unchanged drug), biliary/fecal excretion 35%, and the remainder undergoes metabolic clearance.
Renal (about 50-60% as metabolites, <10% unchanged), fecal (about 30-40% via biliary elimination). Ethinyl estradiol undergoes enterohepatic recirculation.
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive