norethindrone

(nor ETH in drone )
Micronor, Nor-QD

What is the most important information I should know about norethindrone?

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Avoid smoking cigarettes while taking norethindrone. Smoking increases your risk of developing a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot.

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

What is norethindrone?

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Norethindrone is a form of progesterone, which is a female hormone involved in conception.

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Norethindrone is used to prevent pregnancy. Norethindrone is also used to treat menstrual disorders and to test if the body is producing certain hormones..

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Norethindrone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take norethindrone?

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Do not take norethindrone without first talking to your doctor if you have

liver disease;

undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding; or

any type of breast, uterine, or hormone-dependent cancer.

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Taking norethindrone may be dangerous in some cases if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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Before taking norethindrone, tell your doctor if you have

high blood pressure, angina, or heart disease;

had a stroke;

a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;

diabetes;

an increased level of cholesterol in your blood;

migraines;

asthma; or

seizures or epilepsy.

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You may not be able to take norethindrone or you may require special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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Although research has shown that taking norethindrone accidentally early in pregnancy does not cause harm to an unborn baby, it should not be used at any time during pregnancy. Do not take norethindrone if you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy.

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Talk to your doctor before taking norethindrone if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take norethindrone?

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Take norethindrone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Norethindrone must be taken at the same time every day to be effective. Taking a pill late, and especially missing a pill, increases the likelihood of pregnancy occurring.

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Start the next pack of pills the day after the last pack is finished. There is no break between packs.

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If you vomit soon after taking norethindrone, use a backup method of birth control (such as a condom and/or spermicide) for 48 hours.

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You may have some menstrual spotting between periods. Continue to take norethindrone even if this occurs.

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Contact your doctor or take a pregnancy test if at any time it has been more than 45 days since the beginning of your last period, or if your period is late and you took one or more pills late or missed taking them and had sex without a backup method of birth control.

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Have yearly physical exams and examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while using norethindrone.

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Store norethindrone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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If you are more than three hours late to take a dose, or if you miss one or more doses, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your dose at your regular time. Use a backup method (such as a condom and/or spermicide) every time you have sex for the next 48 hours to ensure protection from pregnancy.

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If you are not sure what to do about a missed dose, keep taking norethindrone and use a backup method of birth control until you can talk to your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

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An overdose of norethindrone is not likely to threaten life or cause serious side effects. If you do suspect an overdose call an emergency room or poison control center for advice.

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Symptoms of a norethindrone overdose have not been reported.

What should I avoid while taking norethindrone?

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Avoid smoking cigarettes while taking norethindrone. Smoking increases your risk of developing a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot.

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

What are the possible side effects of norethindrone?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking norethindrone and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

abnormal vaginal bleeding;

absence of menstrual periods;

a partial or complete loss of vision, blurred vision, double vision, or a sudden onset of bulging eyes;

migraine or severe headache;

vomiting, dizziness, faintness or changes in vision or speech; or

sudden or severe pain in your lower abdomen or stomach area.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take norethindrone and talk to your doctor if you experience

nausea;

tenderness of the breasts;

headache;

dizziness;

acne;

increased hair growth;

weight gain; or

changes in your menstrual cycle such as frequent or irregular bleeding.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect norethindrone?

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Before taking norethindrone, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

rifampin (Rifadin);

phenytoin (Dilantin);

carbamazepine (Tegretol); or

a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).

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The drugs listed above may decrease the effectiveness of norethindrone, increasing the likelihood of pregnancy occurring. A second form of birth control may be needed during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with norethindrone. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has additional information about norethindrone written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.