Noriday Tablets (Norethisterone 350mcg)

Noriday general information

What is Noriday used for?

Noriday is a contraceptive pill known as a progestogen-only pill or “mini-pill” and is used as an effective means of birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Noriday contraceptive pills are particularly useful for women who are breast feeding and also for women who are unable to use oestrogen containing contraceptive pills or do not wish to take oestrogen because of its associated health risks. Another advantage of using a progestogen-only pill like Noriday is that a much lower dose can be used than in a combination pill, in which a higher dose of a progestin is used in combination with an oestrogen.

How does Noriday work?

Noriday contraceptive pills contain norethisterone, a first generation synthetic progestogen that has similar action in the menstrual cycle as the natural hormone progesterone; also some androgenic and estrogenic activity. Preparation for pregnancy depends on a complex interaction between the female sex hormones produced by the ovaries; oestrogen, which stimulates ovulation, and progesterone which prepares the endometrium (lining of the uterus) for implantation of an embryo; as well as other regulating hormones produced by the hypothalamus in the brain and the pituitary gland. Norethisterone in Noriday contraceptive pills works primarily by inhibiting ovulation. Other actions include increasing the protein and acid content of the cervical mucus, which normally changes consistency at ovulation to become thinner, causing it to thicken and form a physical barrier to sperm. Also Norethisterone in Noriday contraceptive pills prevents the endometrium does from thickening and this would impair implantation.

What does Noriday contain?

Noriday contraceptive pills contain the active ingredient norethisterone (350mcg), a synthetic progestogen that is used as a progestogen-only pill to prevent unwanted pregnancy. They also contain maize starch, polyvidone, magnesium stearate and lactose.

Taking Noriday for contraception

Noriday contraceptive pills contain norethisterone, a synthetic progestogen that is used as a progestogen-only or “mini-pill” to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Noriday contraceptive pills are particularly useful for women who are breast feeding and also for women who are unable to use oestrogen containing contraceptive pills or do not wish to take oestrogen because of its associated health risks. Another advantage of using a progestogen-only pill like Noriday is that a much lower dose can be used than in a combination pill, in which a higher dose of a progestin is used in combination with an oestrogen. Preparation for pregnancy depends on a complex interaction between the female sex hormones produced by the ovaries; oestrogen, which stimulates ovulation, and progesterone which prepares the endometrium (lining of the uterus) for implantation of an embryo; as well as other regulating hormones, produced by the hypothalamus in the brain and the pituitary gland. Norethisterone in Noriday contraceptive pills works primarily by inhibiting ovulation. Other actions include increasing the protein and acid content of the cervical mucus, which normally changes consistency at ovulation to become thinner, causing it to thicken and form a physical barrier to sperm. Also Norethisterone in Noriday contraceptive pills prevents the endometrium does from thickening and this would impair implantation.

Can you get pregnant if you miss a Noriday pill

Noriday contraceptive pills provide effective contraception when taken correctly and have a very low failure rate. The failure rate may increase if you miss a pill and may result in an unwanted pregnancy. To prevent this ensure that you take your Noriday contraceptive pills correctly and continually.

What are the side effects of Noriday?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Noriday include: irregular bleeding, which may be heavy or light or you may have no menstrual bleeding at all. Other side effects include, headache, acne, mood alterations, breast pain, nausea and weight increase

When should Noriday not be used?

You should not use Noriday if you:

• are allergic to norethisterone or any ingredients in Noriday
• are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
• have deep venous thrombosis (blood clot) or thromboembolic disorders
• have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• have a known or suspected hormone dependent-tumour such as breast or endometrial carcinoma
• have jaundice, severe liver disease or a history or liver disease
• have high blood pressure or diabetes, without consultation with your doctor
• have lipid metabolism disorder or severe arterial disease
• have a history of ectopic pregnancy or severe pruritus during pregnancy
• are taking medicines that interact with Noriday, including: anticonvulsants like phenytoin, barbiturates like Phenobarbital, anti-infectives like rifampicin, antibiotics like ampicillin, tetracyclines, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, antifungals like griseofulvin, corticosteroids, antimigraine medication, St John's Wort, antihypertensives like guanethidine, oral anticoagulants

What medications interact with Noriday?

Some medications interact with Noriday contraceptive pills and prevent them working effectively, increasing your risk of becoming pregnant. If you are taking any of the following you may need to take other contraceptive precautions:

• anticonvulsants like phenytoin; barbiturates like Phenobarbital; anti-infectives like rifampicin, antibiotics like ampicillin, tetracyclines, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, antifungals like griseofulvin; antimigraine medication St John's Wort
• Drugs that are affected by Noriday: corticosteroids, antihypertensives like guanethidine, oral anticoagulants

How should Noriday be taken?

You should take your Noriday contraceptive pills swallowed whole with a glass of water once a day at the same time each day, preferably in the evening. You should start taking your Noriday contraceptive pills on the first day of your menstrual cycle, which is the first day of bleeding, and when you have taken all 28 pills from one pack you should start the next pack the next day without a break, during menstrual bleeding and even if you have not had a bleed. If you stop taking your Noriday contraceptive pills even for one day you run the risk of becoming pregnant. If you have gastrointestinal problems like vomiting or diarrhoea within 3-4 hours of taking your pill, this is the same as missing a pill and you should take other contraceptive precautions for the next 7 days.

How long should you take Noriday?

You should continue to take your Noriday contraceptive pills without a break between packs, even if you have not had a bleed, otherwise you run the risk of becoming pregnant.

Missed dose of Noriday

If you miss a dose of Noriday follow these guidelines to help you decide what to do:

• If you are less than 3 hours late in taking your pill, take it as soon as you remember and take the next one at your usual time, even if that means taking 2 tablets on the same day. You are still protected against pregnancy.
• If you are more than 3 hours late in taking your pill, take the last missed tablet as soon as you remember and take the next one at your normal time, which may mean taking 2 tablets in one day. Contraceptive protection may be reduced and you are at risk of becoming pregnant, unless you take other contraceptive precautions for the next 14 days.

If you have missed 2 or more contraceptives pills, stop taking Noriday until your next menstrual bleed, then begin a new pack. Use other forms of contraception during this time.

How should Noriday be stored?

You should store your Noriday below 25°C in a cool dry place and protect from light and moisture.