Norethisterone Usage

Norethisterone is used in heavy menstrual bleeding, pain during menstruation, endometriosis and breast cancer.

How Norethisterone works

Norethisterone is a progestin (female hormones). It works as part of hormone replacement therapy by replacing the amount of oestrogen in the uterus. It works to bring on menstruation by replacing the natural progesterone that some women are missing.

Common side effects of Norethisterone

Edema, Abdominal bloating, Anxiety, Irritability, Depression, Muscle pain

Expert advice for Norethisterone

For oral contraceptive pill: Take your pill at the same time every day. Do not take norethisterone tablets (for other uses):

• If you have ever had a reaction to or been told that you are allergic to norethisterone or any of the other ingredients in the tablets.
• If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be.
• If you have missed any of the pills in a strip, and you do not bleed within 45 days of your last period, you may be pregnant. Stop taking norethisterone oral contraceptive pill and contact your doctor or family planning clinic, or do a pregnancy test yourself.
• If you lose a pill, just take a pill from a spare strip. Then take all the other pills from your current strip as usual.
• If you are sick or have very bad diarrhea or vomiting (within 3 hours of taking the pill), your body may not get its usual dose of hormones from that pill; just take a pill from a spare strip. Carry on taking your pills as normal if you can. You won’t need to use extra contraception.
• If you have been sick more than 3 hours after taking the pill carry on taking your pills as normal and use extra contraception for 2 days after you are better.
• If you are planning a baby, it’s best to use another method of contraception after stopping the pill until you have regular periods. However, it will not cause you or the baby any harm if you get pregnant straight away.

Do not take norethisterone tablets for any indication if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. Q. Is Norethisterone safe?
Yes. Norethisterone is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by the physician/ doctor.

Ques. Q. Is Norethisterone available over the counter?
No, Norethisterone is not an over the counter (OTC) drug. It belongs to a class of prescription drugs and is available only when prescribed by a doctor.

Ques. Q. Is Norethisterone available in India?
Yes, Norethisterone is available in India as a prescription medicine.

Ques. Q. How long can I take Norethisterone for?
The prescribed duration of Norethisterone varies depending on the condition. It is recommended to take Norethisterone for a duration which is prescribed by your doctor.

Ques. Q. Does Norethisterone cause miscarriage?
Norethisterone has not been reported to cause miscarriage. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor before using any medicine during pregnancy.

Ques. Q. Does Norethisterone make you tired?
Use of Norethisterone may make you feel tired (fatigue). Please talk to your doctor in case you experience this symptom while taking Norethisterone.

Ques. Q. Does Norethisterone cause acne?
Acne has been reported as a side effect of Norethisterone. Please consult your doctor in case you get lot of acne while taking Norethisterone.

Ques. Q. Does Norethisterone affect ovulation?
Norethisterone works by suppressing ovulation when given at particular doses by its effect on the brain.

Ques. Q. Does Norethisterone cause weight gain?
Weight gain has been reported as a side effect of Norethisterone.Please consult your doctor in case you experience excessive weight gain while taking Norethisterone.

Ques. Q. Does Norethisterone help in ovulation?
No, Norethisterone does not help in ovulation. Rather it works by suppressing ovulation (release of eggs) and hence decreasing the production of female hormones like estrogens and progesterone.

Ques. Q. Does Norethisterone cause cramps?
Yes, Norethisterone can cause cramps in calves at night as a side effect. Kindly talk to your doctor in case you experience excessive cramps while taking Norethisterone.

Ques. Q. Can I take Norethisterone with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system?
There are no reported drug-drug interactions between Norethisterone and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system. However, Norethisterone belongs to a group of medicines called progestins which are female sex hormones and levonorgestrel is also a progestin. As both the medicines contain the similar chemical substance, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking Norethisterone with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.

Ques. Q. Can I take Norethisterone with etonogestrel implant?
There are no reported drug-drug interactions between Norethisterone and etonogestrel implant. However, Norethisterone belongs to a group of medicines called progestins which are female sex hormones and desogestrel is also a progestin. As both the medicines contain the similar chemical substance, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking Norethisterone with etonogestrel implant.

Ques. Q. Can I take Norethisterone with levothyroxine?
Norethisterone can be taken with levothyroxine as there are no drug-drug interactions reported between the two medicines. Please consult your doctor before taking Norethisterone with levothyroxine.

Ques. Q. Can I take Norethisterone with amoxicillin?
Norethisterone can be taken with amoxicillin as no drug-drug interactions have been seen between the two medicines. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking Norethisterone with amoxicillin.

Ques. Q. Can I take Norethisterone with desogestrel?
Norethisterone belongs to a group of medicines called progestins which are female sex hormones and desogestrel is also a progestin. As both the medicines contain the similar chemical substance, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking Norethisterone with desogestrel.

Ques. Q. Can I take Norethisterone with paracetamol?
Yes, Norethisterone can be taken with paracetamol. No drug-drug interactions have been seen. However, interactions may occur. Please consult your doctor before taking Norethisterone with paracetamol.