Levonorgestrel vs Estradiol: side-by-side comparison
Levonorgestrel (Synthetic progestin (emergency contraception)) and Estradiol (Estrogen / hormone replacement) 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 | Levonorgestrel | Estradiol |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | Synthetic progestin (emergency contraception) | Estrogen / hormone replacement |
| CAS | 797-63-7 | 50-28-2 |
| ATC | G03AC03 | G03CA03 |
| Molecular weight | 312.5 g/mol | 272.39 g/mol |
| Brands with this active ingredient | 1 | 1 |
What they share
Levonorgestrel and Estradiol 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
Levonorgestrel acts by a different mechanism than Estradiol, 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
Levonorgestrel: En contraception d'urgence, le lévonorgestrel agit principalement en retardant ou en inhibant l'ovulation lorsqu'il est pris avant le pic de LH. Estradiol: L'estradiol se lie aux récepteurs des estrogènes (ERα et ERβ) des tissus cibles et module l'expression génique intervenant dans les fonctions vasculaires, osseuses, reproductives, nerveuses centrales et métaboliques.
Indications compared
Levonorgestrel: Le lévonorgestrel est autorisé en contraception d'urgence (dose unique de 1,5 mg), en contraception orale régulière (associé à l'éthinylestradiol ou en progestatif seul), et comme principe actif des dispositifs intra-uté… Estradiol: L'estradiol est autorisé dans les symptômes vasomoteurs modérés à sévères de la ménopause, l'atrophie urogénitale, la prévention de l'ostéoporose post-ménopausique (lorsque d'autres traitements ne conviennent pas), l'hyp…
Safety profile
Levonorgestrel: Les effets indésirables fréquents de la contraception d'urgence comprennent nausées, céphalées, fatigue, vertiges, tension mammaire et modifications du cycle menstruel. Estradiol: Les effets indésirables fréquents comprennent tension mammaire, nausées, céphalées, saignements intercurrents et rétention hydrique.
Questions fréquentes
Is Levonorgestrel better than Estradiol? ▾
Levonorgestrel and Estradiol are not "better or worse" — they treat different things. The sensible question is which fits your specific need.
Can Levonorgestrel and Estradiol 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 Levonorgestrel
Products with Estradiol
Les informations publiées sur ce site sont fournies à titre documentaire et pédagogique. Elles ne remplacent pas l'avis d'un professionnel de santé qualifié.