Part of our complete guide to periods in the UK.
How to Take Norethisterone: Step-by-Step Schedule Guide
A UK step-by-step guide to using norethisterone for period delay — the three-times-daily schedule, how to handle missed doses, day-by-day expectations, and when your period returns.
▶ How do I take norethisterone?
One 5mg tablet, three times daily, starting at least 3 days before your expected period. Space doses roughly 8 hours apart (e.g. 8am, 2pm, 8pm). Can be taken with or without food. Maximum 20 days continuously. Your period returns 2–3 days after stopping.
This guide is for women who have already been prescribed norethisterone and want to know exactly how to take it. For information on whether you should use norethisterone, see: Norethisterone complete medication guide. For holiday-specific timing advice, see: Period delay for holiday or event.
Need a Norethisterone Prescription?
GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers. Order before 3pm Monday-Friday for next-day delivery. GPhC pharmacy #9011198.
Get Norethisterone →Basic Schedule
| Detail | Instruction |
|---|---|
| Dose | One 5mg tablet |
| Frequency | Three times daily |
| Timing | Roughly every 8 hours — e.g. 8am, 2pm, 8pm |
| When to start | At least 3 days before expected period |
| With food? | Optional — food may reduce nausea |
| Maximum duration | 20 days continuously |
Day-by-Day Guide
1
Day 1 (at least 3 days before expected period)
Take your first dose at your chosen morning time. Set phone reminders for all three daily doses. This day counts toward your delay — norethisterone starts maintaining progesterone levels from this first dose.
2
Days 2 onwards — maintain three-times-daily dosing
Consistency matters more than exact timing. If you find a different schedule easier — 7am, 3pm, 11pm, for example — stick with it throughout. Keep a routine.
3
During your holiday or event
Continue taking tablets as normal. Adjust to the local time zone — maintain roughly 8-hour intervals. Keep tablets in hand luggage when travelling.
4
When you are ready for your period to return
Take your last tablet. Your period will arrive within 2-3 days. If possible, plan this for after you return from holiday.
What to Do if You Miss a Dose
Missing one dose occasionally is unlikely to cause your period to start immediately. However, consistent missed doses may allow progesterone levels to fall and trigger bleeding.
- Missed dose, remembered within a few hours: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Continue the rest of the day as normal.
- Missed dose, nearly time for the next one: Skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at the normal time. Do not double up.
- Missed multiple doses in a row: Your period may start. Contact your prescriber for advice — do not try to double up on doses to compensate.
What to Expect Day by Day
| Timeframe | What typically happens |
|---|---|
| Days 1-3 | No visible change. Possible mild nausea or breast tenderness as your body adjusts. |
| Days 3+ | Period should not arrive. Around 1 in 10 women notice light spotting — this is not the same as a full period. |
| Throughout the course | Period remains delayed as long as you continue taking the tablets. |
| 2-3 days after last tablet | Period arrives. May be slightly heavier or longer than usual. |
| Next 1-2 cycles | Cycle returns to normal pattern. |
For a full breakdown of what side effects to watch for and when to contact your prescriber, see: Norethisterone side effects: what to expect.
Need a Prescription for Norethisterone?
GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers. Same-day prescribing for consultations approved before 3pm Monday-Friday. GPhC pharmacy #9011198.
Start Consultation →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I take my norethisterone tablets?
Take one 5mg tablet three times daily. Spacing doses roughly 8 hours apart works well — for example 8am, 2pm, 8pm. You do not need to take them with food, though doing so can reduce nausea.
What if I forget a dose of norethisterone?
If you remember within a few hours, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one and continue as normal. Do not double up. Missing one dose occasionally is unlikely to cause your period to start, but try to maintain consistency.
Can I take norethisterone with food?
Yes. Taking norethisterone with or after food may help reduce nausea, which is a common early side effect. It can be taken with or without food — whichever is more convenient.
How do I know norethisterone is working?
If your period has not started by the expected date and you have no heavy bleeding, norethisterone is working. Around 1 in 10 women experience light spotting — this is normal and does not mean treatment has failed. Heavy bleeding warrants contact with your prescriber.
What happens when I stop taking norethisterone?
Your period will arrive within 2-3 days of taking your last tablet, occasionally up to a week. The first period may be slightly heavier or longer than usual. Your cycle should return to normal within 1-2 cycles.
Can I stop norethisterone early if I don't need the full delay?
Yes. You can stop whenever you are ready for your period to return. It will arrive 2-3 days after stopping. There is no harm in stopping the course early.
References
- MHRA. SPC: Norethisterone 5mg tablets. 2024. medicines.org.uk/emc
- NHS. Norethisterone. nhs.uk/medicines/norethisterone
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Norethisterone is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. A clinical consultation is required before it can be dispensed. In a medical emergency, call 999.