Generic Noriday™®: Norethisterone

Norethisterone is the chemical name of the active ingredient in Noriday™®

 

Tablet Chemical Name: Norethisterone.

Other name brands for this medication
Camila, Jolivette, Aygestin

Possible Uses of Noriday: Norethisterone is used to mimic the effects of female sex hormones produced naturally by the body. It is a synthetic progestogen hormone, sometimes known as a progestogen-only oral contraceptive or the mini pill. It is used to thicken the vaginal fluid so that sperm cannot get to the womb and to change the lining of the womb so that eggs cannot grow there, preventing pregnancy. Norethisterone also decreases the production of oestrogen and progestogen hormones produced naturally by the body and may also have a direct effect on the pituitary gland which is involved in the production of several hormones.

In general this drug is used to treat irregular, painful or heavy periods, endometriosis (a painful condition caused by tissue that usually lines the womb growing outside the womb), premenstrual tension (also known as PMS or PMT) and to prevent pregnancy (oral contraceptive pill). Benefits of being on this drug can include prevention of pregnancy, return to a normal menstrual cycle, relief from the pain associated with endometriosis and relief from the symptoms of PMS or PMT.

Before using Noriday: Before taking norethisterone tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other progestogens; or if you have any other allergies.

How to take Noriday: Take this medication by mouth usually once a day, with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. If you are taking norethisterone as an oral contraceptive and you have a stomach upset (sickness and/or diarrhoea) within 2 hours of taking the tablet, then another pill should be taken as soon as possible. If a replacement pill is not taken within 3 hours of the usual pill taking time or in case of persistent sickness or severe diarrhoea, then carry on taking your tablet as usual but also use extra contraception for as long as you are ill and for the next 2 days after that.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day - unless specifically told not to by your doctor. Certain medical conditions may require different dosage instructions as directed by your doctor.

Precautions When Using Noriday: This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist in case of: an allergy to norethisterone or to any of the other ingredients contained in the medicine, pregnancy, high levels of fat in your blood, problems with your circulation such as phlebitis or blood clots, heart attack, stroke or angina, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice) during pregnancy or while taking the pill, severe liver problems, liver tumours, or tumours of the breast, womb or ovaries, irregular or unusual vaginal bleeding of unknown cause, the rare inherited blood condition porphyria or the blood disorder sickle cell anaemia, undergoing surgery or have to take bed rest or remain immobile for a long time, severe itching or rash caused by Herpes virus during pregnancy, or an intolerance to certain sugars.

Before using this medication tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially any of the following: you have a family member who has had a blood clot in their legs or lungs, fibroids of the womb, raised blood pressure (hypertension), raised blood sugar (diabetes), depression, water retention, migraine, fitting (epilepsy), asthma, heart, liver or kidney problems, varicose veins, smoking, multiple sclerosis, muscle spasm (tetany), gallstones, problems with contact lenses, amenorrhoea (lack of menstrual periods), previous ectopic pregnancy (where the foetus develops outside the womb) or the immune condition systemic lupus erythematosus (also known as SLE).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.

Norethisterone is not safe to take if you are, or are planning to become, pregnant. It is sensible to limit use of medication during pregnancy whenever possible. However, your doctor may decide that the benefits outweigh the risks in individual circumstances and after a careful assessment of your specific health situation. If you have any doubts or concerns you are advised to discuss the medicine with your doctor or pharmacist.

Speak to your prescriber about taking norethisterone whilst breastfeeding. It is sensible to limit use of medication during breastfeeding whenever possible. However, your doctor may decide that the benefits outweigh the risks in individual circumstances and after a careful assessment of your specific health situation. If you have any doubts or concerns you are advised to discuss the medicine with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects of Noriday:

Headache (including migraine headache)

Feeling sick

Being sick

Stomach ache

Swollen or sore breasts

Change in weight

Changes in sex drive

Patches of darkened skin

Itching

Acne

Rash

Change in appetite

Feeling dizzy

Feeling tired

Feeling depressed

Breakthrough bleeding or spotting from the vagina

Irregular menstrual periods

High sugar levels in the blood

Difficulty sleeping

Confusion

Feeling nervous

Constipation

Diarrhoea

Dry mouth

Blood clots

Fever

Eye problems

Increase in body hair

Worsening of migraine headaches

Worsening of fitting (epilepsy)

Liver tumours

If any of these persist or you consider them severe then inform your doctor or pharmacist. Further information on other side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet.

Tell your doctor immediately and stop taking norethisterone if you develop any of the following symptoms:

Swelling of the face, hands or feet, wheezing, difficulty breathing, or an intense itchy skin rash which may be caused by a severe allergic reaction.

Signs and symptoms of a blood clot which may include severe pain or tenderness or swelling in the calf of one or both legs, unexpected chest pain, shortness of breath or coughing up blood, unexpected numbness, tingling, weakness, severe headache, dizziness, fainting, fitting, problems with eyesight or speech or unexpected stomach pain.

Painful or inflamed leg veins.

Changes in your sense of taste, smell or touch.

A crushing type of chest pain or heaviness in your chest.

Migraine or your existing migraine worsens.

Persistent headaches.

Swelling or tenderness in the upper part of your tummy.

Yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes (this may be a sign of jaundice).

Large increase in blood pressure.

Pregnancy.

Recurrence of earlier depression.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions of Noriday: Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and non-prescription/herbal products you may use, especially of:

St John's Wort

Aprepitant

Atorvastatin

Phenytoin

Primidone

Phenylbutazone

Ampicillin

Rifamycin

Rufinamide

Selegiline

Sitaxentan

Bosentan

Coumarins

Tetracyclines

Glibenclamide

Carbamazepine

Oxcarbazepine

Topiramate

Nevirapine

Fosamprenavir

Lamotrigine

Phenindione

Ciclosporin

Griseofulvin

Clotrimoxazole

Sugammadex

Tacrolimus

Terbinafine

Tizanidine

Topiramate

Ritonavir

Nelfinavir

Medicines for high blood pressure

Medicines for cancer

Aminoglutethimide

Barbiturates

Corticosteroids

Other female sex hormones

This information does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using norethisterone, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use.

Missed dose of Noriday: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage of Noriday: Store below 25ºC and protect from light. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Other Information of Noriday: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.