Norethisterone 5mg Tablets
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What Are Norethisterone Tablets?
Norethisterone contains a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone, which is naturally present in the body. Normally, in a woman's cycle, progesterone levels drop during the stage after ovulation, and when this happens, a period occurs. Period delay treatment keeps the level of hormones high, such as norethisterone, and therefore delays the menses phase of the cycle.
The ingredients in norethisterone period delay tablets are:
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Norethisterone 5mg
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Lactose
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Maise starch
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Magnesium Stearate
Ingredients can vary from manufacturer's individual products but will all contain the active ingredient norethisterone. For a full list, please refer to the leaflet provided.
If you are allergic or hypersensitive to any of these ingredients, please do not take norethisterone.
As a prescription-only treatment, a healthcare professional must prescribe norethisterone for you, and it cannot simply be purchased. Our team at Quick Meds can supply this, dispensed via our pharmacy and delivered to you by post.
Importantly, norethisterone is not a contraceptive pill, so it should not be used to prevent pregnancy. If you don't want to get pregnant, make sure you have other barrier measures in place.
How Do Norethisterone Tablets Work?
To understand how norethisterone works, it's important to first understand the menstrual cycle.
There are four phases of a menstrual cycle: menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase. Menstruation is the phase in which a period bleed occurs. Progesterone peaks in the luteal phase of the cycle and then drops, leading to menstruation.
Progesterone levels vary throughout the cycle, dropping towards the end. In doing so, the lining of the womb sheds, and your period starts.
Period delay medication, such as norethisterone 5mg tablets, contains a synthetic form of progesterone to stop your womb lining from shedding. This can delay your period until after you stop taking the medication.
The tablets are taken 3 days before your period is due to start. This keeps progesterone levels high, which prevents the womb lining from shedding and does not trigger menstruation. Approximately three days after you stop norethisterone, you will have your period. Norethisterone works effectively when the instructions are adhered to.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember and continue the other doses at their normal time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Why Choose Norethisterone for Period Delay?
Norethisterone is an effective way to delay your period in the short term for various reasons, such as holidays, events, exams, or religious reasons. It's a trusted and clinically approved method to delay your period and is more reliable than unlicensed or herbal medications.
When and How Should I Take Norethisterone?
Dosage Instructions
Take one 5mg tablet three times a day (roughly 8 hours apart). Tablets must be started three days before your period. Approximately three days after you stop taking the tablets, you will have your period.
If you take norethisterone less than three days before your period, or when your period has already started, it may not work and you may still experience spotting or bleeding.
Norethisterone is for occasional use only. It is not to be used consistently and can be used for up to 30 days with our service.
Missed a Dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember and continue the other doses at their normal time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Please see the leaflet for further information on missed doses.
Who Can Use Norethisterone Tablets?
Norethisterone can be used to delay your period short-term (maximum 27 days) for occasions such as holidays, weddings, religious pilgrimage, etc.
When Norethisterone May Not Be Suitable
Do not take norethisterone if:
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You’re taking certain medications (e.g. epilepsy medications or herbal tablets)
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You have liver disease, high blood pressure, or migraines with aura
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You’ve had a previous blood clot or inherited blood disorder
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You are allergic to norethisterone or similar hormones or any ingredients in this medication
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You are pregnant or think you might be pregnant
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If you are breastfeeding
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You have now or have ever had vaginal bleeding that was not a period
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You have had or currently have a family history of blood clot symptoms, including deep vein thrombosis
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You have had a heart attack
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You have liver problems or liver disease
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You have had a pregnancy where you had jaundice or an itchy rash known as pemphigoid
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You have pruritus
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You have porphyria
Your doctor may choose to stop treatment if you have very high blood pressure.
As with any treatment request, it is important to let your provider know if you suffer from other health conditions or take other medication, especially similar hormone medications, including the mini-pill.
Possible Side Effects of Norethisterone
As with all medication, norethisterone carries a risk of side effects. The longer you delay your period (up to the maximum of 30 days), the more likely you’ll experience side effects.
If you do not experience a menstrual bleed following a course of period delay tablets, a pregnancy test should be carried out to exclude pregnancy before you start another course.
Common side effects include:
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Changes in sex drive
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Weight gain
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Constipation
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Diarrhoea
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Increased facial or body hair, etc
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Fluid retention
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Mood changes
If you experience jaundice (yellowing of the eyes/skin), an allergic reaction (wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling), significant blood pressure increases, or a new onset migraine-type headache, you should stop taking norethisterone.
Can I Use Norethisterone with Other Medications?
If you take any of the following medicines, they may alter the effects of norethisterone:
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Epilepsy medications - phenytoin, carbamazepine, etc.
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Antibiotics - Tetracyclines, rifampicin, co-trimoxazole, etc.
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Antivirals - Ritonavir, nelfinavir
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Anticancer medication
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Herbal preparations containing St. John's Wort
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Aminoglutethimide
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Ciclosporin
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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treating pain and inflammation
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Medications that treat high blood pressure
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Other tablets containing the same medication
If you are taking the combined contraceptive pill, you can take your packet back to back and avoid taking the 7-day pill-free period; therefore, your hormones stay high, thus delaying periods. If you're taking the "every day" combined pill, you may need to switch to the 21-day pill packets to do this. It is not advised to take norethisterone whilst taking the combined oral contraceptive pill.
If you are taking other medications that can affect hormone levels, this may affect norethisterone treatment.
What Happens When I Stop Taking Norethisterone?
After you stop taking norethisterone, your period should start after 2-3 days.
If you do not have a period after you finish a course of norethisterone, check with your doctor in case you are pregnant.
Although norethisterone does not have any long-term effect on your natural cycle, it can alter your next period. Your next period may be later than usual and may also be lighter or heavier.
How to Buy Norethisterone Online from Quick Meds
Online Consultation Made Simple
You can request norethisterone online at Quickmeds.co.uk. Once you have navigated your way to period delay treatment, you will be requested to fill out a short consultation. This medical questionnaire will ask a series of questions about yourself, any medical conditions you may have and general health questions so we can assess the suitability of norethisterone for you. Following this, you may buy norethisterone by completing a payment.
Our prescribing team will assess your request, and once approved, we will discreetly pack your medication and dispatch it for delivery via Royal Mail. The delivery date can vary depending on which option you choose at checkout.
Please make the pharmacist aware of any other medicines you are taking via the form.
What You’ll Receive
Depending on the option you have selected, you will receive branded or generic Norethisterone 5mg tablets along with a full patient information leaflet. Both contain norethisterone and work in exactly the same way. Norethisterone is available as 5mg tablets in a pack size of 30 tablets (7-day period delay), 60 tablets (17-day period delay) and 90 tablets (27-day period delay).
Support from our UK-based pharmacy team is also available via email/telephone should you need it.
Alternatives to Norethisterone
Alternatives are the combined contraceptive pill. This can be taken back to back, omitting the pill-free interval to prevent withdrawal bleeding. These must be prescribed by your GP.
There are natural ways to delay your period, which you may feel are suitable; however, these methods are less effective, and there is no scientific information available to confirm these methods.
Important Safety Information
Norethisterone can increase your risk of developing blood clots. To reduce this risk, stay active and well hydrated. Ensure you are aware of symptoms and seek urgent medical attention if you experience any of the following blood clot symptoms:
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Unusual pains in your leg(s)
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Unusual swelling of your arms or legs
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Sharp pains in your chest or sudden shortness of breath
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Crushing pains or feelings of heaviness or tightness in your chest
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Coughing for no apparent reason or one side of your body suddenly becoming very weak or numb
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Fainting, intense itchy skin, or severe allergic reaction
Using norethisterone can also worsen migraine, diabetes, asthma, depression, and epilepsy. This isn’t common, given the short amount of time you take it, but there is a small risk. Always take exactly as prescribed and read the leaflet provided.
Summary – Key Facts About Norethisterone Tablets
Norethisterone tablets are available from our online service here at Quick Meds. We offer safe and fast delivery, which discreetly gets your medication to you in time for your event or occasion.
Norethisterone has been clinically proven to delay your period when taken 3 days before your period is due. It does not act as a contraception, and there is a possibility of pregnancy. If you don’t want to get pregnant, make sure you have other barrier measures in place.
Stop and seek immediate medical attention if you notice any signs of a blood clot or an allergic reaction.
Feel free to contact the team on 0121 628 5318 if you have any further questions or simply head over to our website to request treatment.
FAQs
Can I buy Norethisterone over the counter in the UK?
No, norethisterone is not available over the counter. As a prescription-only medication, a prescription is required, which can be provided by our team at Quick Meds.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Norethisterone?
You can drink alcohol when taking norethisterone. However, if you drink too much and vomit within two hours of taking a tablet, it could affect how well the treatment works, as the tablet won’t have had time to be absorbed into your system.
Will Norethisterone affect my fertility or chances of getting pregnant?
Norethisterone can affect the reproductive system. The tablets can cause anovulation to occur, which is when ovulation does not occur in a cycle.
Can I use Norethisterone to reset my menstrual cycle?
No, norethisterone does not reset your cycle. It works by keeping your progesterone levels raised to postpone a bleed. Once you stop taking norethisterone, your period should start within 2-3 days. Some women may find that their cycle has changed after using norethisterone. Your next period may be later than usual and may also be lighter or heavier.
What if I experience breakthrough bleeding or intense pain?
Breakthrough bleeding can occur if you take norethisterone later than 3 days before your expected period. If this bleeding continues for longer than your usual menstrual cycle, please contact your health provider for further guidance.
If you experience severe pain whilst taking norethisterone, please stop taking the medication and contact your health provider. You can also call 111/999 for further advice/assistance.