Reviewed by Dr Roy Kedem, MD
Information last reviewed 10/24/19
Norethindrone is a type of progestogen-only birth control pill. This means that unlike other contraceptive pills, it does not contain estrogen. It is taken continuously and does not allow for a monthly withdrawal bleed.
Norethindrone contains progestogen, a female sex hormone that is involved in regulating ovulation. Norethindrone works by maintaining higher levels of progestogen, preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). If you don’t ovulate, then there is no egg to be fertilised by the sperm, so you should not get pregnant. Norethindrone also has a thickening effect on the mucus in the cervix, making it harder for sperm to access the uterus, and affects the uterine lining to prevent implantation by a fertilized egg.
When taken correctly, Norethindrone is 99.5% effective in preventing pregnancy. Taking into account women who miss a pill, Norethindrone is thought to be around 95% effective.
Remember, Norethindrone will NOT prevent you from contracting STIs. The only form of contraception to offer some protection against STIs is male condoms.
The active ingredient in Norethindrone is Norethindrone 0.35 mg. Norethindrone is a synthetic version of the female sex hormone progestogen.
The inactive ingredients in Norethindrone are colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch, D&C Yellow No. 10, ethyl cellulose, lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, methylene chloride, isopropyl alcohol and talc.
Norethindrone contains lactose anhydrous in small quantities. As the lactose is only present in a small amount, it might not cause uncomfortable side effects in those with a mild lactose intolerance but it might do in those with a severe lactose intolerance.
Your doctor will decide your dose depending on your personal requirements. The usual dosage of Norethindrone is 1 x 0.35 mg tablet taken once daily at the same time each day.
Read the package instructions carefully and never start a new form of oral contraceptive without first consulting a doctor. You are recommended to start taking Norethindrone on the first day of your period. If you do decide to take your first pill on a different day, make sure to use an additional form of contraception, such as condoms, for the first 48 hours after starting Norethindrone.
If you are switching to Norethindrone from a combined oral contraceptive, start it on the first day after you finish the last active pill in the current pack of your previous contraceptive. If your current combined oral contraceptive contains inactive pills, do not take these before starting Norethindrone. If you are switching to Norethindrone from a different progestogen-only pill, you can switch treatments at any time.
Take your Norethindrone pill at the same time each day. To help you remember, try and make this a part of your daily routine: for example, take your pill every morning when you brush your teeth. Norethindrone is more likely to be ineffective if you take your pill late or miss a pill. When you reach the end of a pack, start the next pack the following day without taking a break. It is important to always have a new pack ready when you are nearing the end of your current one.
If you are late taking your pill, take it as soon as you remember and continue with the next one at the normal time. However, you will need to use a barrier method of contraception, such as a condom, for the next 48 hours to avoid accidental pregnancy. If you vomit soon after taking your pill, you will also need to use additional protection for 48 hours.
You should try to take Norethindrone at the same time every day. If you forget to take your pill at the right time, but you remember within 3 hours, you should take the missed pill immediately. The next day, you should take your pill at the usual time. You will not need to use other forms of contraception if you take the pill within 3 hours of the usual time.
If you are more than 3 hours late to take your pill, you should take one pill as soon as you remember (even if you’ve missed more than one) followed by the next pill at the usual time, even if this means taking two pills in one day. Then, continue to take the rest of the pills as normal. As you are outside the 3 hour time window, you will need to use additional forms of contraception, such as condoms, for at least the next 48 hours. During this time, the cervical mucus will thicken to prevent conception, but it will take 7 days from the time you missed the pill, until your ovulation pattern is affected, so you may wish to use additional contraception for the full 7 days.
As with all medications, you may experience side effects while taking Norethindrone. If you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction, stop taking Norethindrone and seek immediate medical attention:
Difficulty breathing
Hives or a severe, itchy rash
Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
If you experience any of the following severe side effects, stop taking Norethindrone and speak to your doctor as soon as possible:
Sudden numbness or weakness
Migraine headaches
Sudden onset headache with confusion, pain behind your eyes and/or problems with speech, vision or balance
Depressive symptoms including, sleep problems and mood changes
Swelling or pain in your hands, feet or legs
Rapid weight gain
Severe pelvic pain
Chest pain, especially if it spreads to the arm or shoulder.
Fever
Dark-colored urine
Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
Clay-colored stools
Stomach pain
Less severe side effects include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Feeling bloated
Stomach cramps
Breast tenderness
Breast swelling
Weight changes
Changes in your periods, such as a lighter or heavier flow and changes in regularity of your periods
Vaginal itching
Vaginal discharge
Headaches
Dizziness
Skin itching
Rash
Darkening of skin or freckles
Hair growth
These side effects are often mild and tend to stop over time. However, if they are bothering you, speak to a doctor for advice. It may be that a different type of hormonal contraceptive is better suited to you.
Do NOT take Norethindrone if:
You are allergic to Norethindrone or any of the other ingredients in this medication (see ‘Ingredients’ above)
You are pregnant, might be pregnant, or are trying to get pregnant
You have breast cancer
You have unexplained vaginal bleeding between periods
You have liver tumors, either benign or cancerous
You have acute liver disease
Before taking Norethindrone, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including those purchased over the counter without a prescription. The following medicines may reduce the effectiveness of Norethindrone:
Medicines for epilepsy or seizures, including Phenytoin, Carbamazepine and Phenobarbital
Medicines for tuberculosis, including Rifampicin
Before beginning any new medications, make sure your doctor or pharmacist is aware that you are also taking Norethindrone.
Errin is a brand name for the generic drug Norethindrone. Both contain the same active ingredient and work in the same way, although the generic drug may be cheaper.
There are many different types of hormonal birth control, and it is not unusual to try a few different ones before finding one that works for you. progesterone-only pills such as Norethindrone are more suitable for women who are particularly sensitive to estrogen, and in some cases can be used while breastfeeding. Most women start off with a combined oral contraceptive containing both progestogen and estrogen. The main difference is that combined contraceptives allow a break for a withdrawal bleed once in every 28 day cycle.
If you don’t want to take a pill every day, you can try a form of hormonal contraception that is not taken orally. These include the implant (Implanon, Nexplanon), the shot (Depo-Provera), the patch (Xulane), and the intrauterine device (IUD, Mirena, ParaGard, Skyla, Liletta, Kyleena). In particular, the IUD may be appropriate for women with contradictory health conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, as it works locally on the lower reproductive system. Speak to your doctor or health worker for information and advice about these types of contraception.
If you do not wish to use hormonal contraceptives at all, or have experienced problems with them in the past, you may choose to rely on barrier contraceptive methods. These include the cervical cap (FemCap) and Male and Female Condoms. It is worth noting that male condoms are the only form of contraception to offer protection against STIs.
For most women, Norethindrone is a safe and effective form of contraception. Hormonal contraceptives do very slightly increase the risk of developing more serious health complications, such as blood clots, heart disease, gallbladder disease, liver tumors, and estrogen-sensitive cancers. While the benefits of hormonal contraceptives greatly outweigh these risks, women who have a personal or family history of the above conditions should consult a doctor before using them, as they may not be suitable. See ‘Contraindications’ above for more information.
Norethindrone is a continuous form of contraception, which means it is taken every day and you will not experience a monthly bleed. You may experience some breakthrough bleeding or spotting, but this is completely normal. Breakthrough bleeding is more common during the first few months of starting Norethindrone and often stops with time.
Norethindrone will not protect you from STIs, nor will any other form of hormonal contraceptive. The only contraceptive to offer some protection from STIs is male condoms.
Alongside prevention of pregnancy, oral contraceptives are sometimes prescribed to treat acne and irregular, painful or heavy periods. In addition, they are also thought to decrease the incidence of ovarian cysts, lower the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer, and help prevent against ectopic pregnancy, in which a fertilized egg attaches outside of the uterus.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. You and your physician will determine if and how you should take any medication prescribed to you following a medical consultation.
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