Norethisterone is a type of progestogen. Learn how to use the medication, its common side effects, special precautions to watch out for, and more.

What is this medication for?

Norethisterone is a type of progestogen that can be used for the following purposes:

• Management of various abnormal uterine bleeding including absence of menstrual flow and heavy menstrual bleeding
• Management of menopause in combination with estrogen replacement therapy

How should I take or use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• This medicine should be taken after food.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose. 

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if: 

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
• You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies. 
• You have a history of or current medical conditions such as liver problems, stroke, heart disease, blood clots, migraine headaches, epilepsy (fits), diabetes mellitus or cancer.

What are some common side effects of this medication?

• Stomach discomfort, nausea and vomiting. 
  • Take it after food to reduce these side effects. 
• Breast tenderness. 
• Headache. 
  • You may take Paracetamol to manage headaches.
• Dizziness, drowsiness.
  • Avoid activities that require mental alertness and avoid using heavy machineries. 
• Weight changes, mood swings. 
  • Take medication at the same time every day to avoid huge changes in the hormone levels in your body, which can lead to mood changes. 
• Skin pigmentation. 
  • Apply sunblock when outdoors and avoid long hours of sun exposure. 

Inform your doctor if these side effects become severe and bothersome.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following: 

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

• Some medications might interact with this medication. Check with your healthcare professional if you want to take any other medicines, supplements or herbal products.
• If you see another healthcare professional, inform him that you are taking this medication before he prescribes any other medications.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children. 

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin. 

Disclaimer

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on June 2024