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Norethisterone 5mg Tablets

Norethisterone 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.

Suitable for age: 18 years +
Maximum per order:2
Consultation required?Yes

This treatment requires an online consultation for review by our medical team. The decision to supply the specific treatment and quantity requested will be based on whether our medical team are satisfied that it will be safe, appropriate, and effective.

Generic Treatment?Yes

This is a generic medicine and manufacturer of the treatment supplied may vary from the treatment image above, depending on availability. Please contact us once you've placed your order if you require a specific brand and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Type of medicine
Progesterone
Works by
Sustaining the lining of the womb to prevent menstruation
Active ingredient
Norethisterone
Effective within
Immediately if taken three days before period is due
Pack size
30 or 60 tablets
Strength
5mg
Common side effects
Breakthrough bleeding, nausea, bloating
Manufacturer
Wockhardt UK Ltd
Generic
Yes
Use with alcohol
No known issues

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 FAQs

Related Treatments

We stock 3 other treatments for Period Delay

Visit our Norethisterone 5mg Tablets page for treatments, advice and FAQs.

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Scott McDougall

Authored by

Scott McDougall
Scott McDougall
MPharm
2079324
Director & Registered Manager

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.

Daniel Hurley

Reviewed by

Daniel Hurley
Daniel Hurley
MPharm IP
2078790
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber

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.