Norethisterone 5mg Tablets

Period Delay Doctor Service

Norethisterone 5mg tablets is one of a group of medicines called ‘Progestogens’.

Progestogens are similar to the natural female hormone progesterone. Norethisterone Tablets contain the progestogen called norethisterone as the active ingredient. Norethisterone Tablets have many uses. 

Norethisterone Tablets may not be suitable for all women. Please read the Patient Information carefully.

Sometimes your period can come at the worst time, and coincide with a special occasion if you are taking the combined oral contraceptive, most allow the delay of your period by continuing straight onto your next pack. If you are not taking an oral contraceptive, then Utovlan / Norethisterone 5mg can be an ideal way to delay your period when you need to.

About Norethisterone
Norethisterone is a synthetic hormone which mimics the effect of the bodies naturally occurring hormone progesterone. It can have multiple uses, however, it is often used as a tablet to delay periods. Norethisterone comes as a 5mg tablet and can be taken to delay periods for up to 17 days.

Norethisterone Is Not A Method Of Contraception

It is therefore important that you should continue to use contraceptive methods if you do not want to become pregnant. Norethisterone should also not be taken if you are already taking the combined contraceptive pill. You can, however, take it while taking the mini pill. Norethisterone is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Taking Norethisterone For Period Delay
If you are taking Norethisterone to delay your period, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, it's important you can predict when your period is due. As long as this is known, you should start taking Norethisterone three days before your period is due to start. One 5mg tablet is taken three times daily. When you want your period to start, simply stop taking the medication. After stopping, your period should start 1-2 days later. 

You can take Norethisterone for up to 20 days in total, meaning that you can delay your period for around 17 days.

Does not work with the "mini-pill" (progesterone only pills), such as Cerazette.

How Do I Take Norethisterone?

To delay your period, Norethisterone should be taken three days before your period is due. It should be taken three times daily for each day you want to delay your period. This should be done for a maximum period of 17 days. After stopping norethisterone, your period should start 2-3 days after.

How Does Norethisterone Work?

Norethisterone works by keeping levels of the female hormone, progesterone, in the body up. This, in turn, stops your womb lining from shedding, and so delaying your period. Norethisterone is basically a synthetic version of progesterone.

When will my period start again?

Your period should start around 2 days after stopping taking Norethisterone.

Can I use norethisterone for heavy periods?

No. Norethisterone supply is intended only to delay your period temporarily. You should speak to your GP if you  require regular treatment for heavy periods.

What is Norethisterone?

Norethisterone is a synthetic version of progesterone, which is a sex hormone produced by the body.

Can I become pregnant when using period delay tablets?

Yes. Norethisterone is not a contraceptive, so you should use a method of birth control in order to avoid becoming pregnant.

Norethisterone is generally a well-tolerated medication, and most women will not experience side effects.

With any medication you take however, there is always a risk of side effects occurring. Some are more common than others, and often side effects may subside with the regular usage of the medicine. If the side effects do not subside, you should report them to us, or your GP.

Possible Side Effects

• bleeding or spotting between periods
• unusual vaginal bleeding
• changes in vaginal discharge cervical erosions (may show in a smear test)
• breast pain or tenderness discharge from the breast headaches
• dizziness and confusion problems concentrating
• visual disturbances fatigue
• difficulty sleeping stomach problems such as being sick, feeling sick, constipation or diarrhoea dry mouth
• liver problems jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin)
• water retention bloating swelling of hands and ankles changes in appetite
• changes in sex drive

The side effects listed below are more serious, and you should stop taking Norethisterone, and report these to your GP immediately.

• itchy skin rash
• facial swelling/tongue swelling
• swelling of hands and feet
• wheezing
• feeling faint
• difficulty breathing

Norethisterone and blood clotting

Norethisterone can increase your risk of developing a blood clot or thrombosis. You must STOP taking this medication and visit your local doctor or A+E immediately if you experience:

• sudden sharp pain in your chest
• coughing blood
• shortness of breath
• rapid heartbeat
• difficulty speaking
• fainting or collapse
• weakness or feeling numb
• pain, swelling or tenderness of calf or foot
• purple discoloration of the skin
• unusually long or severe headache
• visual disturbance

These symptoms can be signs of a blood clot and must not be ignored.

For a full list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, our Rightdose pharmacists or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

You can help to make medicines safer by reporting any side-effects to the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

Patient Information Leaflet Norethisterone 5mg Tablets (Pack of 30)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

Pregnancy
Norethisterone Tablets must not be taken if you are pregnant as hormonal medicines can affect the developing baby. It is important you use some form of contraception (e.g. a condom) while taking

Norethisterone Tablets, as it is not a contraceptive.

Breastfeeding
If you are breast-feeding, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine, so they can advise whether you should use an alternative method of feeding your baby.

Driving and using machines
No effect on the ability to drive or use machinery has been seen with Norethisterone Tablets.

Norethisterone Tablets contains lactose
Lactose is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

How to take Norethisterone Tablets

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure. The recommended dose will depend on the condition you are being treated for.

The following information will help you see what the usual dose is for a particular problem.

Norethisterone Dosage - For Period Delay

You will usually take 1 tablet 3 times (15 mg) a day. You need to start taking the tablets 3 days before your period is due to start. Your period will usually start within 3 days of finishing the tablets.

• Continue taking until a period delay is no longer required. Do not take for more than 20 days (17 days of period delay).

If you do not have a period after you finish a course of Norethisterone Tablets, check with your doctor in case you are pregnant.

If you take more Norethisterone Tablets than you should:

• If you take more Norethisterone Tablets than you should, contact your doctor straight away.

If you forget to take Norethisterone Tablets

• Take the tablet as soon as you remember, and carry on taking the tablets at the normal times. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Norethisterone Tablets if you have any of the following conditions. This will help them decide if Norethisterone Tablets is suitable for you:

• Epilepsy
• Migraine headaches
• Asthma
• Heart problems
• Kidney problems

Risk of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE): All women have a small chance of having a blood clot in the veins of the leg, in the lung or other part of the body. The chances of getting a clot are very slightly higher if you are taking a hormone medicine like Norethisterone Tablets.

Other medicines and Norethisterone Tablets
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines

This includes the following medicines, as the effect of Norethisterone Tablets may be altered when they are taken at the same time:
• Medicines to treat epilepsy (e.g.
phenytoin, carbamazepine)
• Antibiotic medicines to treat an infection
(e.g. tetracyclines, rifampicin,
co-trimoxazole)
• Antiviral medicines to treat HIV (e.g.
ritonavir, nelfinavir)
• Anticancer medicines
• Herbal preparations containing St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
• Aminoglutethimide, sometimes used in Cushing’s Syndrome.
• Ciclosporin (for suppressing the immune system)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for treating pain and inflammation
• Medicines for high blood pressure.

Norethisterone can also interfere with some laboratory tests, so tell your doctor if you are having any blood tests or hospital investigations.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines not listed above, including those bought without a prescription.

What Norethisterone Tablets contain

The active substance is norethisterone. Each tablet contains 5mg.

The other ingredients are lactose, maize starch and magnesium stearate.

What Norethisterone Tablets look like and contents of the pack Norethisterone Tablets are round, white, uncoated tablets with “NE 5” on one side and a break line on the other.

Norethisterone Tablets are available in blister packs of 30, 72 and 180 tablets in aluminium foil.