Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: QUARTETTE versus ZOVIA 1 35E 21.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: QUARTETTE versus ZOVIA 1 35E 21.
QUARTETTE vs ZOVIA 1/35E-21
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 release, inhibits ovulation, alters cervical mucus and endometrial lining.
3 mg orally once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days of placebo.
One tablet orally once daily at the same time each day for 21 days, followed by 7 placebo tablets (if included in the pack) or a 7-day pill-free interval. Each tablet contains ethinyl estradiol 0.035 mg and norethindrone 1 mg.
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.
Norethindrone: 5-12 hours (terminal elimination half-life, approximately 8 hours). Ethinyl estradiol: biphasic with terminal half-life of 10-20 hours (mean 15 hours). Clinical context: Steady state reached in 5-7 days.
Renal excretion accounts for 55% (primarily as unchanged drug), biliary/fecal excretion 35%, and the remainder undergoes metabolic clearance.
Renal (approximately 40% as parent drug and metabolites; 20-40% as metabolites; 15-20% as unchanged drug), fecal (30-50% via bile as metabolites), and less than 2% in breast milk.
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive