* Generic Name: norethindrone
* Brand Name: Aygestin
* What is norethindrone?
* What are the possible side effects of norethindrone?
* What is the most important information I should know about
norethindrone?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using
norethindrone?
* How should I take norethindrone?
* What happens if I miss a dose?
* What happens if I overdose?
* What should I avoid while taking norethindrone?
* What other drugs will affect norethindrone?
* Where can I get more information?
What is norethindrone?
Norethindrone is a form of progesterone, a female hormone.
Norethindrone prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from an
ovary). This medication also causes changes in your cervical mucus
and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the
uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
Norethindrone is used for birth control (contraception) to prevent
pregnancy. Norethindrone is also used to treat menstrual disorders,
endometriosis, or abnormal vaginal bleeding caused by a hormone
imbalance.
Norethindrone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What are the possible side effects of norethindrone?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an
allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face,
lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any
of these serious side effects:
* sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the
body;
* sudden headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with
vision, speech, or balance;
* pain or swelling in one or both legs;
* migraine headache;
* swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain;
* symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes);
* severe pelvic pain;
* chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or
shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or
* nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or
eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
* mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps;
* breast pain, swelling, or tenderness;
* dizziness;
* freckles or darkening of facial skin;
* increased acne or hair growth;
* changes in weight;
* vaginal itching or discharge;
* skin itching or rash;
* changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive; or
* mild headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report
side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about norethindrone?
This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use
if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell
your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions:
a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems,
breast cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver disease, or if
you have recently had an incomplete miscarriage or abortion.
You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a
spermicide, when you first start using this medication. Follow your
doctor's instructions.
Taking hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or
heart attack, especially if you smoke and are older than 35.
Norethindrone does not protect you from sexually transmitted
diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only
way to help protect yourself from these diseases.
Aygestin Patient Information including How Should I Take
Premenstrual Syndrome:A Visual Guide to PMS Symptoms, Causes and
Treatments
A Visual Guide to PMS Slideshow
Take the Menopause Quiz
Pelvic Pain:What's Causing Your Pelvic Pain?
Pelvic Pain Slideshow
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using norethindrone?
This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are
pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to norethindrone, or if
you have:
* a history of a stroke, blood clot, or circulation problems;
* breast cancer;
* abnormal vaginal bleeding; or
* if you have recently had an incomplete miscarriage or abortion.
Before using norethindrone, tell your doctor if you have any of the
following conditions. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests
to safely take norethindrone.
* high blood pressure or a history of heart disease;
* migraines;
* kidney disease;
* liver disease or liver cancer;
* a history of depression or mental illness;
* high cholesterol or triglycide (fatty acid) levels in your
blood;
* asthma; or
* seizures or epilepsy.
Norethindrone can pass into breast milk. Make sure your doctor knows if
you are breast-feeding a baby while taking this medication.
Taking hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart
attack, especially if you smoke and are older than 35.
How should I take norethindrone?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take
the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than
recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription
label.
You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a
spermicide, when you first start using this medication. Follow your
doctor's instructions.
If you need to have any type of medical tests or surgery, or if you
will be on bed rest, you may need to stop using this medication for a
short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that
you are using norethindrone.
Your doctor will need to see you on a regular basis while you are using
this medication. Do not miss any appointments.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Aygestin Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Premenstrual Syndrome:A Visual Guide to PMS Symptoms, Causes and
Treatments
A Visual Guide to PMS Slideshow
Take the Menopause Quiz
Pelvic Pain:What's Causing Your Pelvic Pain?
Pelvic Pain Slideshow
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for
your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next
regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the
missed dose.
Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant. If you are
more than 3 hours late in taking your dose, use back-up birth control
such as condoms or a spermicide for at least the next 48 hours.
If you miss a period for two months in a row, call your doctor because
you might be pregnant.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of
this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and
vaginal bleeding.
What should I avoid while taking norethindrone?
Do not smoke while using norethindrone, especially if you are older
than 35. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or
heart attack caused by norethindrone.
Norethindrone will not protect you from sexually transmitted
diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to
protect yourself from these diseases.
What other drugs will affect norethindrone?
Some drugs can make norethindrone less effective, which may result in
pregnancy. Before using norethindrone, tell your doctor if you are
using any of the following drugs:
* griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grisactin);
* rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate,
Rimactane);
* St. John's wort;
* ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox);
* a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital
(Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital
(Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
* HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir
(Reyataz), tipranavir (Aptivus), indinavir
(Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase), lopinavir/ritonavir
(Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), or
nelfinavir (Viracept).
There may be other drugs that can interact with norethindrone. Tell
your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications
you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication
without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about norethindrone.
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