NORETHINDRONE

Norethindrone (a form of progestin) is a hormone that prevents pregnancy by making vaginal fluid thicker to help prevent sperm from reaching an egg (fertilization). It also changes the lining of the uterus (womb) to prevent attachment of a fertilized egg.

Uses

Norethindrone is used for birth control (contraception) to prevent pregnancy. Norethindrone is also used to treat menstrual disorders, endometriosis, or abnormal vaginal bleeding caused by a hormone imbalance.

Warnings

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to norethindrone, or if you have:

a history of a stroke, blood clot, or circulation problems;
breast cancer;
abnormal vaginal bleeding; or
if you have recently had an incomplete miscarriage or abortion.

Side Effects

If any of the following side effects occur while taking norethindrone, check with your doctor immediately:

Frequent and irregular bleeding
menstrual changes

Incidence not known:

Abdominal or stomach pain
blindness
blue-yellow color blindness
blurred vision
breast pain
changes in menstrual period
changes in vision
chills
clay-colored stools
confusion
cough
dark urine
decreased vision
diarrhea
difficulty with swallowing
discouragement
dizziness
double vision
eye pain
fast heartbeat
feeling sad or empty
fever
general tiredness and weakness
headache
heavy non-menstrual vaginal bleeding
hives, itching, or rash
irritability
lack of appetite
light-colored stools
light vaginal bleeding between regular menstrual periods
loss of interest or pleasure
migraine headache
nausea and vomiting
numbness of the hands
pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
swelling
tightness in the chest
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
unpleasant breath odor
unusual tiredness or weakness
upper right abdominal or stomach pain
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes and skin

Precautions

Precautions

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to norethindrone; or to other progestins; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Interactions

Do not smoke while using norethindrone, especially if you are older than 35. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by norethindrone.

Norethindrone will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases–including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.

Some drugs can make norethindrone less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before using norethindrone, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grisactin);
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);
John’s wort;
ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox);
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), tipranavir (Aptivus), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept).

Overdose & Brands

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call emergency hotline. Symptoms of overdose may include severe nausea, vomiting, sudden /unusual vaginal bleeding.

Available brands:

Micropil
Micropil plus
Norethistherone
Primolut N