About norethisterone
Progestogen hormone
Used for
- Treating heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Delaying a menstrual period
- Treating endometriosis
- Managing absent periods in selected cases
Usual adult dose
Varies by condition; commonly 5 mg three times daily for short courses. Endometriosis treatment is usually longer-term.
Common side effects
- Headache or dizziness
- Nausea or abdominal discomfort
- Breast tenderness
- Spotting or changes in bleeding
Important warnings
- Not a contraceptive; pregnancy should be excluded before treatment.
- Avoid with current or past blood clots, severe liver disease, or hormone-sensitive cancers.
- Seek urgent care for chest pain, breathlessness, one-sided leg swelling, or sudden neurological symptoms.
- Bleeding changes and mood changes may occur.
Pregnancy
Do not use during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Use only after clinical review; small amounts may pass into breast milk.
Interactions
- Some seizure medicines, rifampicin, and St John’s wort can reduce its effect.
- Some HIV or hepatitis medicines may alter its effect.
- Other hormone medicines may affect bleeding or treatment effects.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.