Norethindrone (By mouth)
nor-ETH-in-drone
Prevents pregnancy. Also treats menstrual problems and endometriosis. This medicine is commonly called a birth control pill.
Drug classes
Contraceptive, Contraceptive, Progestin, Endocrine-Metabolic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Norethindrone is used to prevent pregnancy. It is a birth control pill that contains a hormone, norethindrone, and when taken properly, prevents pregnancy.
Norethindrone is also used to treat secondary amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods in women who have previously had a menstrual period who are not pregnant), endometriosis, and irregular menstrual periods caused by hormonal imbalance.
No contraceptive method is 100 percent effective. Birth control methods such as having surgery to become sterile or not having sex are more effective than birth control pills. Discuss your options for birth control with your doctor.
This medicine does not protect against HIV infection or other sexually transmitted diseases. It will not help as emergency contraception, such as after unprotected sexual contact.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. Different brands of birth control pills have different instructions for when to start. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand what day to start taking your brand.
You may take this medicine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.
Keep your pills in the container you receive from the pharmacy. Take the pills in the order they appear in the container.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Take your pill at the same time every day, even during your menstrual period.
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you take a pill more than 3 hours late, use another form of birth control for the next 48 hours.
Store the pills in the original package, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some foods and medicines can affect how birth control pills work. Tell your doctor if you are also taking any of the following:
Bromocriptine, rifampin, St John’s wort, bosentan, griseofulvin Antibiotic Seizure medicine, including phenytoin, carbamazepine, felbamate, topiramate Protease inhibitor that treats HIV/AIDS Barbiturate (used to treat seizures, anxiety, or insomnia)When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to a progestin drug or if you are pregnant. Do not use it if you have liver disease, liver tumors, or a history of blood clots, stroke, heart attack, or breast cancer.
Warnings
Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant. If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or if you have kidney disease, lupus, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, epilepsy, asthma, migraine headaches, diabetes, or a history of depression.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy Ovarian cysts that might twist or break Possible risk of breast cancer Benign liver tumor Blood clots, which may lead to stroke or heart attackYou might have spotting or irregular bleeding when you first start to use this medicine. You might have unplanned bleeding if you miss a dose or are late taking it. Call your doctor if you think there is a problem, such as if you have heavy bleeding.
This medicine will not protect you from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.
Use a second form of birth control during the first 3 weeks to make sure you are protected from pregnancy.
Smoking increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot while using this medicine. Talk to your doctor about these risks.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Chest pain, trouble breathing, or coughing up blood
Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking
Pain in your lower abdomen
Severe headache, sensitivity to light or sound, nausea or vomiting
Trouble seeing, double vision, or other eye problems
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Breast tenderness or swelling
Headache
Light spotting or bleeding between periods
Nausea
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Aygestin, Camila, Deblitane, Errin, Heather, Jencycla, Jolivette, Lupaneta Pack, Lyza, Nor-QD, Nora-BE, Norlyroc, Ortho Micronor, Sharobel
There may be other brand names for this medicine.