Norethisterone Tablets (5mg): Uses, Side Effects & Price

Are you looking for ways to delay your periods because you have planned a trip this Sunday? Good News! You can temporarily stop your menses with period delay pills. Norethisterone tablets are your ultimate option when your periods come at the wrong time!

Norethisterone is a synthetic version of progesterone that is frequently used to postpone menstruation and treat or manage heavy menstrual periods, irregular periods, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Price of Norethisterone tablets in Pakistan

Several companies in Pakistan manufacture Norethisterone tablets (5mg). The cost is usually between 30-40 PKR per tablet.

Norethisterone Tablet Uses;

Norethisterone 5mg is indicated for;

• Intentionally delay of menstrual periods
• Menstrual irregularities
• Intense period cramps
• Breast cancer

During the month, a woman’s level of progesterone changes. They fall towards the end of her cycle. When progesterone levels drop, the endometrium breaks down and is released from the body. This causes a period. Norethisterone works by keeping progesterone levels at peak. This prevents the endometrium from collapsing and hence, stops periods.

Learn more about how to stop your periods immediately using home remedies.

Dosage:

• You can delay menstruating for up to 17 days with Norethisterone. To stop your period, take Norethisterone 3 days before your due date.
• The dosage is 1 tablet 3 times a day, taken during periods of no menstruation for up to 20 days. (You take the tablets for 20 days, but because you start 3 days before your period, the maximum number of days you can delay is 17). 

Norethisterone should not be taken for more than 20 days. After you stop taking Norethisterone, your period should start within 2-3 days, after which your cycle should continue as usual. If you do not have a period, you should do a pregnancy test and contact your doctor immediately.

Read more about how to induce your periods immediately in one hour with natural home remedies.

What is the mechanism of action of Norethisterone?

Norethisterone is available as the brand Primolut N that acts at the pelvic level and alters cervical and endometrial function. Then, it works by inhibiting pituitary hormones that play a role in follicle maturation and ovulation. Target cells include the reproductive tract, breast, pituitary, hypothalamus, skeletal tissue, and in the central nervous system. Norethisterone medicine works to stop the periods.

Contraindications of Norethisterone

 You should not take Norethisterone 5 mg tablets if any of the following occur:

• If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
• If you are breastfeeding.
• You have abnormal vaginal bleeding that your doctor has not investigated.
• You have recently had angina, a heart attack, or a stroke due to a blood clot.
• A blood clot in the leg or lung (thromboembolism, such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism).
• If you have liver problems or a history of liver cancer.
• If you have jaundice, severe itching, a blistering skin rash called pemphigoid pregnancy or a rare metabolic disorder called porphyria.

Warning and Precautions:

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using Norethisterone if you have any of the following conditions:

• Asthma
• Heart problems 
• Epilepsy
• Kidney problems
• A serious injury or major surgery
• Have a history of repeated miscarriage
• Migraine headaches 
• If you have just had surgery or are going to have surgery while you are taking Norethisterone tablets
• Risk of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
• Have systemic lupus erythematosus.
• If you are overweight

Discussing these issues with the doctor will help her decide if Norethisterone is right for her.

Possible Side Effects of Norethisterone Tablet

Side effects of the Norethisterone tablet include;

• Changes in weight
• Trouble sleeping
• Bloating 
• Swollen feet and ankles (fluid retention)
• Breast tenderness
• Changes in sexual behavior
• Mood swings
• Headache

Rare side effects include;

• Signs of a potential blood clot, such as pain or tightness in your chest
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe headache
• Vision disturbances

Norethisterone Medicine Interactions:

Some medicines may affect the response of the Norethisterone tablets. These include:

• Certain antiepileptic medicines, such as carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, perampanel, phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin, or topiramate.
• Some medicines for HIV, such as efavirenz, nevirapine, or ritonavir.
• The antifungal griseofulvin.
• Modafinil.
• The antibiotics rifabutin or rifampicin for tuberculosis.

Caution: Anyone taking more than one drug is at risk of medicine interaction.

What is the best way to take Norethisterone?

Depending on the reason for use, you can take Norethisterone on specific days of your menstrual cycle or continuously. Always consult your doctor before use. You can take tablets with or without food. 

If you experience heavy, continuous bleeding, your doctor may recommend taking a 5mg tablet three times a day for ten days to stop the bleeding. Your bleeding should stop within the first three days, but keep taking the pills for ten days. If the bleeding does not stop, see a doctor.

Storage of Norethisterone Tablet

• Store above 25°C.
• The tablets should be stored in the original container to protect them from light.
• Keep the medicine out of the reach of children
• Keep the tablet in a dry place
• Do not consume the tablet if it gets discolored

What happens if you forget to take a dose of Norethisterone?

If you forget to take a dose of Norethisterone, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule when your next dose is due. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Consult any of the best gynecologists listed at Marham before using the medicine;

• Dr. Faiza Iqbal
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Uzma Naz
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Saima Zaki

Read Also: 11 Signs Your Period Is Coming Tomorrow

FAQs:

1. Can Norethisterone cause weight gain?

Since Norethisterone is a hormonal drug, weight gain is one of the possible side effects of using this medicine. 

2. Will your cycle go back to normal after Norethisterone?

Yes, Norethisterone changes your menstrual cycle. If you take Norethisterone, your period will be delayed. If you stop taking the tablets, bleeding will occur a few days later, and the cycle will be reset. The date your period resumes is the date of your new menstrual cycle.

3. Is Norethisterone safe to use during pregnancy?

You should not take Norethisterone tablets if pregnant, as hormonal medications may affect your developing baby. This medicine is used to prevent pregnancy, so using it while you are pregnant could potentially harm the unborn baby.