Utovlan 5mg Tablets
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Norethisterone For Period Delay
Norethisterone period delay tablets are available from The Independent Pharmacy to delay the start of menstruation, following a free consultation. They can be taken to safely and effectively delay the onset of your period by up to 17 days.
To find out more about periods and see all the available treatments, see our Period Delay page.
Maximum per order:2
Yes
Generic Treatment?Yes
Norethisterone 5mg Tablets Summary
Norethisterone 5mg Information
Pills to stop your period
Norethisterone is a synthetic version of progesterone, a natural female sex hormone that sustains the lining of the womb. Normally, before a woman has a period, her progesterone levels fall. However, taking Norethisterone will sustain the womb lining and delay a period until the tablets are stopped.
What is Norethisterone used for?
Norethisterone has several uses. It can safely be used as medication to delay your period for up to 17 days, where it would otherwise be inconvenient.
Norethisterone period delay tablets can be purchased from the online doctor to delay your period for:
- Up to 7 days period delay = 1 pack (30 tablets)
- Up to 17 days period delay = 2 packs (60 tablets)
Norethisterone should not be used to delay your period for more than 17 days without a face-to-face consultation with your GP. It should not be used more regularly than every 4 months and cannot be purchased over the counter.
Norethisterone was first released as the branded medicine Utovlan, however, it is now available as a generic treatment following the patent expiry of Utovlan.
Norethisterone is also present in some contraceptive pills and hormone replacement therapies for the menopause. Norethisterone period delay tablets should not be used for hormone replacement and do not offer any contraceptive cover – nor are they a form of emergency contraception. Your normal contraceptive method should still be used whilst you take Norethisterone 5mg tablets to stop periods.
Norethisterone dosage
Norethisterone should be taken three times daily, starting three days before your period is due until you wish your period to resume. Your next period after Norethisterone will be experienced within two to three days. Norethisterone should not be taken if you are pregnant. Norethisterone does not have any special dietary measures; it's absorption and effects are not changed by food or alcohol.
How can I delay my period?
There are no non-medicinal alternatives to period delay.
An alternative way to delay your period if you are taking the combined contraceptive pill already is to run two strips back to back without taking your seven-day break.
Alternatively, you can see your GP and discuss other options, such as the hormonal implant or mini pill.
If you are already taking the contraceptive pill, this can normally be used to delay your period, so Norethisterone will be unsuitable for you. See our Period Delay page for advice on using the contraceptive pill to delay your period. You should always read the patient information leaflet with your contraceptive pill before running pill packs together.
Women who take the contraceptive pill can generally run two packs together to delay their period without consequence. If you are in any doubt, contact your GP.
How to stop your period
You should take one Norethisterone pill to postpone periods three times daily, starting three days before your period is due. Continue taking tablets to stop your period until you wish to start again. Your period should come within two to three days after stopping Norethisterone. You should not use Norethisterone to stop your period once started.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless your next tablet is nearly due, in which case skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the normal time. You may find that if a dose is late or missed, you experience some light bleeding or spotting. It is therefore advised that you have some panty liners or similar if needed.
Please note:
1 pack (30 tablets) = 7 days period delay
2 packs (60 tablets) = 17 days period delay
Period delay pill ingredients
Each tablet contains 5mg of norethisterone.
Norethisterone tablets also contain: lactose, maize starch and magnesium stearate.
Norethisterone side effects
Please ensure you read the patient information leaflet enclosed with your Norethisterone pills for a full list of side effects. It is important that you stop taking Norethisterone tablets immediately and see your GP if you experience a rise in blood pressure, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or migraines.
If you experience any adverse effects from taking your prescribed medicine, it is important to let us know immediately. Please log in to your online account and message one of our healthcare professionals or alternatively call us on 0333 2200 519. In a medical emergency, you should contact the emergency services or go straight to your local A&E.
Period delay warnings
Norethisterone is a form of medication used to stop periods, among other things. It should not be taken if you currently take any of the following:
- Aminoglutethimide
- Ampicillin
- Carbamazepine
- Ciclosporin
- Co-trimoxazole
- Efavirenz
- Nelfinavir
- Nevirapine
- Oxacillin
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Rifabutin
- Rifampin
- Ritonavir
This will be checked during your online consultation. Please read the patient information leaflet enclosed with your medicine for further information.
If you experience any of the following symptoms whilst taking Norethisterone pills to stop your period, you should stop taking them and contact a doctor immediately:
- Swelling of the face and wheezing (may indicate a severe allergic reaction)
- Thrombosis (a blood clot in the leg or lungs)
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice or changes in liver function)
- Migraine
- A significant rise in blood pressure or persistent headaches
Norethisterone 5mg Tablets reviews
What is Norethisterone?
Norethisterone is an artificial version of the female hormone progesterone. In the 5mg strength, Norethisterone is primarily used for period delay.
There may be times when it is inconvenient to have a period (wedding day, holidays etc.) and Norethisterone tablets can delay your period for up to 17 days.
How does Norethisterone delay periods?
Norethisterone delays your period by mimicking the effect of natural progesterone in the body. It prevents the lining of the womb from being shed and means there is no blood to form a period.
How do I take Norethisterone?
Starting three days before you expect your period, take one tablet with a glass of water three times a day for as long as you would like to delay you period.
Your period will start 2-3 days after you stop taking the tablets.
Norethisterone tablets can be taken with or without food.
If you need to delay you period for longer than 17 days or on more than one occasion in a 4 month period, we recommended you speak to a Doctor.
How effective is Norethisterone when it comes to delaying periods?
Norethisterone is very effective if it is taken regularly three times a day - if you miss a dose you may experience some bleeding or spotting. The tablets have to be started before your period has begun. It will not be effective after your period has started.
Can you use Norethisterone 5mg tablets as a contraceptive?
Norethisterone comes in different strengths and it is used to treat different conditions depending on the strength. It can be used as a contraceptive but this is at a strength of 350 micrograms.
It is important to use another form of contraception whilst taking Norethisterone 5mg tablets to delay your period, as it won’t prevent a pregnancy. There are lots of different contraception options available and a Doctor will be able to explain the options that are right for you.
Can I use these tablets with my contraceptive pill?
If you are taking a combined contraceptive pill (containing both oestrogen and progesterone), there may be no need to take period delay tablets.
There are three different types of combined contraceptive pills:
Monophasic: These contain 21 tablets in a strip and each tablet contains the same amount of hormone(s). After the last tablet you have a 7-day break. To delay your period you may run two strips of pills back to back without a break.
ED (Every Day): There are 21 tablets of one colour and 7 white tablets at the end of a strip. The white tablets are dummy tablets. To delay your period discard the 7 white tablets at the end of the strip and start the next strip without a break.
Phasic: There are 21 tablets in a packet but the level of hormone in each pill varies depending on where you are in your cycle. Ask us or your Doctor for advice on which pills you can miss out. Examples of phasic contraceptive pills include Synphase, Triadene, Logynon, Binovum & Trinovum.
It is not recommended to run more than 2 strips of contraceptive pill back-to-back.
If you still wish to use Norethisterone 5mg tablets to delay your period even though you are taking a combined oral contraceptive pill, there is no problem.
There are different types Progesterone-only pills, however running two packets back to back will not delay your period.
You can either speak to your Doctor about switching to a combined oral contraceptive or take Noresthiorone 5mg tablets to delay your period. Switching to a combined contraceptive may take several weeks to be effective and is not suitable for everyone.
Is it safe to take Norethisterone continuously?
Norethisterone can be taken for a maximum of 17 days in a row to delay your period. This cannot be repeated within four months. If you want to delay your period for longer or more frequently, we recommended seeing your Doctor first to discuss the most suitable option for you.
What are the side effects of Norethisterone?
Side effects are normally seen when Norethisterone is taken long-term basis rather than for short courses to delay periods. The most common unwanted effects include bloating, loss of libido, tender breasts and stomach pains.
Norethisterone can also cause fluid retention in some women. If this occurs it can worsen pre-existing conditions like epilepsy, migraines, asthma and high blood pressure. If this occurs you should speak to your doctor as soon as possible.
Does Norethisterone interact with alcohol?
There is no interaction between Norethisterone and alcohol.
Is there anyone who should not take Norethisterone?
Norethisterone is not recommend for use in patients who:
- Have had a blood clot in the legs or lungs.
- Have had a heart attack or suffer from angina.
- Suffer from any type of reduced liver function.
- Are allergic to Norethisterone or any other inactive ingredients in the medicine.
- Are pregnant or breast-feeding.
- Take epilepsy, asthma, high blood pressure, or migraine medication. There is small chance the Norethisterone may cause water retention and worsen these conditions. We recommend you speak to your Doctor first before starting treatment.
Does Norethisterone interact with any medicines?
It is not recommended that you take Norethisterone with any of the following medication:
- St Johns Wort (used to treat depression).
- Diabetic medication.
- Rifambutin and other antibiotics used to treat TB.
- Antiviral medication like ritonavir and nelfinavir (used to treat HIV).
- Blood thinning medication like warfarin.
- Grisofluvin (an antifungal treatment).
- Selegiline (for Parkinson’s disease).
If you take any of the above medicines you should talk to your doctor about delaying your period to ensure your treatment does not affect your existing medicines.
Is it safe to buy Norethisterone online?
To be confident you are buying medicine online from a reliable and reputable source look out for:
An MHRA Pharmacy Logo with a flag of origin (this certifies that you can legally operate as a online pharmacy within the EU).
A GPhC Pharmacy Registration Logo (this ensures that the pharmacist & premises have been inspected and met all the regulatory requirements necessary for any pharmacy in the UK).
A CQC Logo (this ensures the processes used in providing medication and care are safe and in the best interests of the patient).
All our credentials are located at the bottom of every webpage in the footer.
As a UK pharmacy, you can be sure there is an audit trail of the medicines you buy, from manufacture through to dispatch.
Our Doctors & Pharmacists are registered and trained in the UK and have years of experience in general practice and community healthcare.
How do I buy Norethisterone tablets online?
You do not need a prescription to order Norethisterone tablets from us. We are able to provide a private prescription from our doctors to allow us to dispense the medicine for you - all you need to do is fill in a simple online health questionnaire.
All you need to do to order is:
- Select the quantity (number of packs) you would like and press the green “start consultation” button above.
- Answer the short health questionnaire.
- Checkout.
Our healthcare team will then review you answers and issue a prescription, which we dispense in the pharmacy and dispatch the same day.
We will contact you if our team has any questions about your order. If we have to decline your request, we will issue a 100% refund.
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Visit our Period Delay page for treatments, advice and FAQs.
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Scott is one of the two founders of The Independent Pharmacy. He is a registered pharmacist and the registered manager of our service with the CQC.
Dan is an experienced pharmacist having spent time working in both primary and secondary care. He currently supports our clinical team by providing robust clinical governance review of our internal processes and information.