Norethisterone 5mg for Period Delay

Norethisterone is a prescription-only tablet containing a man-made form of the hormone progesterone. A period starts when progesterone levels fall at the end of your cycle. Taking norethisterone keeps progestogen levels up, so the womb lining is not shed while you take it. It is the only progestogen licensed in the UK to delay periods.

Start at least 3 days before your period is due. Take one 5mg tablet three times a day, roughly 8 hours apart. Starting later may not give it time to work, and it will not stop a period that has already started.

You keep taking it for as long as you need to delay your period, as agreed with your prescriber. The Primolut N licence describes a course of no longer than 10 to 14 days, while NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service guidance says it can be taken for up to 3 to 4 weeks if necessary. Your period usually starts within 3 days of your last tablet.

At one tablet three times a day, a pack of 30 tablets lasts 10 days. Count from 3 days before your period is due to the day you want your period to start, and your prescriber will check the quantity during your consultation.

No. Norethisterone does not prevent pregnancy, so you need to use another method of contraception, such as condoms, while taking it. Do not take it if you are or might be pregnant.

Spotting or breakthrough bleeding can happen. Headache, nausea and fluid retention are common, affecting up to 1 in 10 people. Breast tenderness, mood changes and acne have also been reported. Norethisterone can also increase the risk of blood clots.

It can. Part of each dose is converted in the body to an oestrogen, so the same blood clot warnings as the combined pill apply. It must not be used if you have had a blood clot, and your prescriber will check other risk factors, such as smoking, a BMI over 30, being over 35, recent surgery or a long-haul flight. Call 999 if you get chest pain, sudden breathlessness, or pain and swelling in one leg.

Do not take norethisterone if you are pregnant, have had a blood clot, have had a heart attack, angina or stroke, have liver problems or porphyria, have unexplained vaginal bleeding, have migraine with aura or diabetes with blood vessel complications, have or have had breast cancer or another hormone-sensitive cancer or a liver tumour, or had jaundice, severe itching or pemphigoid gestationis in a previous pregnancy. It should be avoided while breastfeeding, and you should tell your prescriber about any other medicines you take.

Your period usually starts within 3 days of your last tablet. If it does not, take a pregnancy test and speak to your GP or our pharmacist before taking another course.

Some medicines can make norethisterone less effective, including certain epilepsy medicines, rifampicin, some HIV medicines and St John's wort. Norethisterone can also raise ciclosporin levels. Tell your prescriber about everything you take, including herbal remedies.

If you already take a combined contraceptive pill, you may be able to delay your period by taking packs back to back, as directed for your brand. Medroxyprogesterone tablets are sometimes used off-label, for example if oestrogens are not suitable for you. Our prescriber can advise which option suits you.

Yes. Norethisterone is a prescription-only medicine. At Access Doctor you complete an online consultation, a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber reviews your answers, and if it is suitable our UK pharmacy dispenses it in discreet packaging.