Ncnorm p - Norethisterone tablets

Before taking this medicine

You should not use norethindrone if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• Unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;
• Liver disease or a liver tumour;
• Breast cancer; or
• A history of blood clots in your brain, eyes, lungs, or legs.

Do not use norethindrone if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Ask your doctor about using norethindrone while you are breast-feeding. In some cases, you should not take norethindrone if you are nursing.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• Heart disease, high blood pressure;
• Liver disease;
• Depression;
• Migraine headaches;
• Diabetes;
• High cholesterol or triglycerides;
• Uterine fibroid tumours;
• Epilepsy;
• Kidney disease;
• Asthma; or
• If you smoke.

Norethindrone dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding:

Treatment of secondary amenorrhea and abnormal uterine bleeding due to hormonal imbalance without organic pathology (e.g., submucous fibroids, uterine cancer)

• 2.5 to 10 mg orally once a day
• Duration of therapy: 5 to 10 days

This drug should be used when the endometrium is adequately primed with endogenous/exogenous estrogen.

Withdrawal bleeding typically occurs within 3 to 7 days of treatment discontinuation.

Usual Adult Dose for Amenorrhea:

Treatment of secondary amenorrhea and abnormal uterine bleeding due to hormonal imbalance without organic pathology (e.g., submucous fibroids, uterine cancer)

• 2.5 to 10 mg orally once a day
• Duration of therapy: 5 to 10 days

This drug should be used when the endometrium is adequately primed with endogenous/exogenous estrogen.

Withdrawal bleeding typically occurs within 3 to 7 days of treatment discontinuation.

Usual Adult Dose for Contraception:

Prevention of pregnancy

• 0.35 mg orally once a day

This drug should be taken at the same time each day.

Usual Adult Dose for Endometriosis:

Treatment of endometriosis

• Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day for 2 weeks
• Maximum dose: 15 mg/day

The dose should be increased by 2.5 mg/day every 2 weeks until 15 mg is reached.

Treatment may continue for 6 to 9 months OR until annoying breakthrough bleeding demands temporary termination.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Contraception:

• Postpubertal adolescents (under 16 years): 0.35 mg orally once a day

This drug should be used after menarche occurs.

The dose should be taken at the same time each day.

Missed a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions, or follow the patient instructions provided with your medicine.

Missing a birth control pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant. If you are more than 3 hours late for your dose, take the medicine as soon as you remember and use back-up birth control for at least 48 hours. Take your next pill at the regularly scheduled time and continue on your regular dosing schedule.

Side Effects

Common side effects may include:

• Nausea
• vomiting
• headache
• bloating
• breast tenderness or weight gain may occur.
• Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) or missed/irregular periods may occur.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• Sudden vision loss, bulging eyes, or severe headache;
• Swelling, rapid weight gain;
• Unusual vaginal bleeding;
• Missed menstrual periods;
• Pelvic pain (especially on one side);
• A breast lump;
• A light-headed feeling, like you, might pass out;
• Increased thirst, increased urination;
• Liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• Signs of a blood clot--sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision or speech, chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling or redness in an arm or leg.

If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If you miss 2 periods in a row (or 1 period if the pill has not been used properly), contact your doctor for a pregnancy test.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.