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Overview: Norethindrone acetate is a progestin that is used to treat endometriosis, irregular periods, as well as certain causes of amenorrhea (no periods). Common side effects include spotting, breast pain, and headache. Get emergency help if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, vision changes, trouble speaking, dizziness, or severe headache. Before taking norethindrone acetate, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is norethindrone acetate used for?

Norethindrone acetate is commonly used to treat the following conditions.

  • Secondary amenorrhea, a condition where you stop having your period 
  • Endometriosis, a condition where the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, grows outside the uterus
  • Irregular periods due to hormone imbalance

Norethindrone acetate may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does norethindrone acetate work (mechanism of action)?

Norethindrone acetate is a progestin that helps regulate the growth of the tissue that lines the uterus. This can help with endometriosis symptoms and regulate your period. 

How is norethindrone acetate supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Aygestin
  • Norlutate

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 5 mg oral tablets

How should I store norethindrone acetate?

Norethindrone acetate should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of norethindrone acetate?

The most common side effects of norethindrone acetate are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Breast pain
  • Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting
  • Stomach cramps or bloating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Hair loss

There may be other side effects of norethindrone acetate that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of norethindrone acetate?

While less common, the most serious side effects of norethindrone acetate are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Norethindrone acetate may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking norethindrone acetate and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Blood Clots. Norethindrone acetate may cause a blood clot in your arteries or veins and could cause a stroke, heart attack, or venous thromboembolism, including a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), or legs, also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Stop taking norethindrone acetate and get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of blood clots. 

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
  • Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
  • Sudden weakness on one side of your body
  • Sudden and severe headache
  • Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech
  • Pain, swelling, or tenderness in your arm or leg

Eye Problems. Norethindrone acetate may increase your risk of a blood clot in your eye (retinal vein occlusion) or a condition called papilledema. Stop taking norethindrone acetate and get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Change or loss in vision
  • Blurred vision
  • Bulging eyes
  • Double vision
  • Migraine

Fluid Retention (Edema). Norethindrone acetate can cause fluid retention, also called edema. Fluid retention can cause serious problems in people with certain conditions, such as heart failure or kidney problems. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Chest pain
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stretched or shiny skin
  • Swollen body parts, such as the belly or ankles

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use norethindrone acetate?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take norethindrone acetate.

  • Aygestin
  • Norethindrone acetate
  • Norlutate
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific norethindrone acetate products they stock.

Pregnancy. Do not take norethindrone acetate and tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking norethindrone acetate right away and contact your health care provider. 

Unusual Vaginal Bleeding. Norethindrone acetate should not be used if you have bleeding from the vagina that is not part of your menstrual cycle or is unusual. Any unusual vaginal bleeding needs to be checked out by your health care provider.

Cancer. Norethindrone acetate should not be used if you have or have had breast cancer.

Blood Clots. Norethindrone acetate should not be used if you currently have or have had a blood clot in your legs or lungs, also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), respectively. 

Heart Attack or Stroke. Norethindrone acetate should not be used if you have had a stroke or heart attack within the past year. Norethindrone acetate can increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke that could be dangerous or even deadly.

Liver Problems. Norethindrone acetate should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should or if you have liver disease. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your health care provider may do tests to see if it is working well enough to take this medicine.

What should I know about norethindrone acetate before using it?

Do not take norethindrone acetate unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share norethindrone acetate with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep norethindrone acetate out of the reach of children.

Keep all appointments with your health care provider to get your breasts examined. Your health care provider may monitor you more often if you have a family history of breast cancer, have ever had lumps in your breasts, or have ever had an abnormal mammogram. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using norethindrone acetate?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if norethindrone acetate is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Smoking. Smoking can increase your risk of getting heart disease, which increases your risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or blood clots. Tell your health care provider if you smoke before starting norethindrone acetate.

Upcoming Surgery or Bed Rest. You may be at an increased risk for some side effects of norethindrone acetate if you do not move around normally for an extended period of time. Tell your health care provider if you have any upcoming surgeries or need to be on bed rest. 

Other Medicines and Supplements. Norethindrone acetate may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking norethindrone acetate, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Do not take norethindrone acetate and tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking norethindrone acetate right away and contact your health care provider.

Breastfeeding. Do not take norethindrone acetate while you are breastfeeding. Norethindrone acetate can pass into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does norethindrone acetate interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between norethindrone acetate and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect norethindrone acetate.

Does norethindrone acetate interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking norethindrone acetate.

  • Phenobarbital or primidone, which is a medicine that may be used to treat seizures
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • Topiramate (Qudexy XR, Topamax, Trokendi XR), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or prevent migraine
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Rifabutin (Mycobutin), which is a medicine used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex infection

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with norethindrone acetate. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much norethindrone acetate?

If you or someone else has used too much norethindrone acetate, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of norethindrone acetate?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. 

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