Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: QUARTETTE versus VOLNEA.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: QUARTETTE versus VOLNEA.
QUARTETTE vs VOLNEA
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.
Volnea is a combination of dienogest and ethinylestradiol. Dienogest is a progestin with antiandrogenic activity, and ethinylestradiol is an estrogen. The contraceptive effect is achieved through suppression of gonadotropins (FSH and LH), inhibition of ovulation, and changes in cervical mucus and endometrium.
3 mg orally once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days of placebo.
One tablet (0.02 mg ethinylestradiol + 3 mg drospirenone) orally once daily for 21 consecutive days, followed by a 7-day hormone-free interval.
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.
Terminal half-life: 12 hours (range 10-14 h). Supports twice-daily dosing in patients with normal renal function.
Renal excretion accounts for 55% (primarily as unchanged drug), biliary/fecal excretion 35%, and the remainder undergoes metabolic clearance.
Renal: 70% unchanged; fecal: 30% (biliary elimination)
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive