Norethisterone is an oral contraceptive (birth control pill). This medicine is used to prevent pregnancy.
This medicine may also be used to treat endometriosis (abnormal growth of tissues outside the womb) and manage menstrual problems, including heavy, painful, or irregular menstruation.
Norethisterone may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Norethisterone exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
The dose of Norethisterone will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type of your condition and your response to the medication.
Norethisterone must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- current, suspected or history of cancer of the breast or genitals
- untreated endometrial hyperplasia (excessive thickening of the womb lining)
- current or history of blood clotting disorder e.g. blood clots in your leg veins, blood clots in a lung artery
- heart problems e.g. recent heart attack, angina (chest pain which occurs when the heart does not receive enough blood supply)
- recent stroke
- porphyria (an inherited disorder that causes skin or nervous system abnormalities)
- unexplained vaginal bleeding
- had a previous pregnancy where you experienced yellowing of the skin/whites of the eyes or an itchy rash
- current or history of liver disease, including liver tumours
as Norethisterone may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while on Norethisterone therapy, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- risk factors for heart disease e.g. diabetes, high cholesterol levels in the blood
- high blood pressure
- systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of certain organs in the body)
- family history of breast cancer
- asthma
- epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- migraine (severe throbbing pain or pulsating sensation usually affecting one side of the head that is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound)
- depression
- history of chloasma gravidarum (brown patches of skin usually on the face or neck during pregnancy)
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.
Notify your doctor if you are a smoker.
If you are going to have certain laboratory tests or an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Norethisterone.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to take.
- Routine tests (e.g. blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels) may be done while you are being treated with Norethisterone. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring for signs and symptoms of depression and changes in vision may also be needed.
Norethisterone may cause any of the following side effects: dizziness, headache, nausea, tiredness, weight gain, changes in appetite, breast pain or discomfort, skin rash, pimples, and difficulty sleeping.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- unusual vaginal bleeding, vaginal itching or discharge
- severe headache or dizziness
- pain, swelling and tenderness in your leg accompanied by redness and warmth
- shortness of breath, chest pain, cough which may contain blood
- changes in eyesight, loss of vision, double vision
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, agitated, or having compulsive and impulsive behaviour)
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, swelling in the legs and ankles
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, felbamate
- certain antibiotics e.g. ampicillin, oxacillin, sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim, tetracycline
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. griseofulvin, ketoconazole
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. efavirenz, nevirapine
- anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. prednisone, prednisolone
- ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders)
- rifampicin (medicine for TB, a lung infection known as tuberculosis)
- phenylbutazone (NSAID [medicine for pain and inflammation])
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Norethisterone.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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