Drospirenone vs Norethindrone: side-by-side comparison
Drospirenone (Progestogen with anti-mineralocorticoid and anti-androgen activity) and Norethindrone (Progestin) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely substitutes for each other. The comparison is useful when a single patient is weighing both options for adjacent or overlapping needs.
| Property | Drospirenone | Norethindrone |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | Progestogen with anti-mineralocorticoid and anti-androgen activity | Progestin |
| CAS | 67392-87-4 | 68-22-4 |
| ATC | G03AA12 | G03DC02 |
| Molecular weight | 366.49 g/mol | 298.42 g/mol |
| Brands with this active ingredient | 2 | 1 |
What they share
Drospirenone and Norethindrone share the common regulatory framework for prescription active ingredients, bioequivalence standards for generics, and pharmacist oversight. Beyond that, points in common are limited.
Key differences
Drospirenone acts by a different mechanism than Norethindrone, with indications that barely overlap. Comparing the two is useful when a clinician has mentioned both in the same context or the patient wants to understand why one was prescribed instead of the other.
Mechanisms compared
Drospirenone: Drospirenone activates progesterone receptors to suppress ovulation and produce the contraceptive effect when combined with an estrogen. Norethindrone: Norethindrone binds to progesterone receptors and exerts progestational effects: thickening cervical mucus, suppressing the LH surge, thinning the endometrium and inhibiting ovulation (at sufficient doses).
Indications compared
Drospirenone: Drospirenone in combination with ethinylestradiol is approved as combined oral contraception, treatment of moderate acne in women requesting contraception, and treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Norethindrone: Norethindrone is approved for prevention of pregnancy (progestin-only and combined formulations), secondary amenorrhoea, abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis-associated pain, and as part of menopausal hormone replace…
Safety profile
Drospirenone: Common adverse effects include menstrual irregularities, breast tenderness, headache, mood changes and nausea, mostly in the first 2–3 cycles. Norethindrone: Common adverse effects include breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, nausea, mood changes and headache.
Frequently asked questions
Is Drospirenone better than Norethindrone? ▾
Drospirenone and Norethindrone are not "better or worse" — they treat different things. The sensible question is which fits your specific need.
Can Drospirenone and Norethindrone be combined? ▾
Whether they can be combined depends on the indications and the interaction profile of each. If both are in a single prescription, the prescriber has weighed it; in self-medication they should never be combined.
Do they have the same side-effect profile? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each has its own prescribing information.
Products with Drospirenone
Products with Norethindrone
The information on this website is provided for reference and educational purposes only. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.