Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: QUARTETTE versus YASMIN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: QUARTETTE versus YASMIN.
QUARTETTE vs YASMIN
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 drospirenone suppresses gonadotropins, inhibiting ovulation. Drospirenone has antimineralocorticoid activity, reducing water retention, and antiandrogenic activity.
3 mg orally once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days of placebo.
One tablet (ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg / drospirenone 3 mg) orally once daily for 21 days, followed by 7 days of placebo.
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 elimination half-life is approximately 30 hours for drospirenone; steady-state concentration is achieved after 10 days of daily dosing.
Renal excretion accounts for 55% (primarily as unchanged drug), biliary/fecal excretion 35%, and the remainder undergoes metabolic clearance.
Approximately 40% renal and 60% fecal after oral administration; metabolites are excreted as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates.
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive