Aygestin

Norethindrone is an oral contraceptive that contains progestin, a female hormone. This medicine is used to prevent pregnancy. Norethindrone is also used for treatment of endometriosis, secondary amenorrhea, and irregular menstrual periods caused by hormonal imbalance.

This product is available in tablet.

Tell to your doctor if you are allergic to Norethindrone or to any other medications. In addition, inform your healthcare providers if you are allergic to foods, dyes, or animals

No sufficient studies were performed with regard to the effects of Ortho Micronor® for children. However, pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of this medicine in teenagers are not expected. Norethindrone acetate tablets are not recommended in children.

Norethindrone may be used for birth control in teenage females but should not be used before the start of menstruation. This medicine should not be used in elderly women.

Pregnancy category X - Do not use Norethindrone if you are pregnant or expecting a baby because this medication can cause fetal abnormalities. There are no adequate studies whether atorvastatin can pass through breast milk or if it could cause harmful effects to the infant. Discuss with your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.

Taking this medicine with Tranexamic Acid is not recommended and you may not be required to use this medication. Otherwise, alternative medicine may be prescribed for your other medications.

Taking this medicine with any of the following medications is usually not recommended, but with exception in some cases. Dosage or frequency of one or both of your medicines may be changed if both medicines are prescribed together.

• Carbamazepine
• Dabrafenib
• Darunavir
• Eliglustat
• Fentanyl
• Isotretinoin
• Lumacaftor
• Sugammadex
• Theophylline
• Tizanidine
• Ulipristal

Taking this medicine with any of the following medications may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. Dosage or frequency of one or both of your medicines may be changed if both medicines are prescribed together.

• Alprazolam
• Amprenavir
• Aprepitant
• Atazanavir
• Bacampicillin
• Betamethasone
• Bexarotene
• Bosentan
• Colesevelam
• Cyclosporine
• Delavirdine
• Etravirine
• Fosamprenavir
• Fosaprepitant
• Fosphenytoin
• Griseofulvin
• Lamotrigine
• Licorice
• Modafinil
• Mycophenolate Mofetil
• Mycophenolic Acid
• Nelfinavir
• Oxcarbazepine
• Parecoxib
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Prednisolone
• Primidone
• Rifabutin
• Rifampin
• Rifapentine
• Ritonavir
• Rosuvastatin
• Rufinamide
• Selegiline
• St John's Wort
• Telaprevir
• Topiramate
• Troglitazone
• Troleandomycin
• Valdecoxib
• Voriconazole
• Warfarin

Some medical conditions can interact with this medication. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

• Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding
• Breast cancer
• Blood clots 
• Heart attack
• Diabetes
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Hypertension 
• Obesity
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Depression
• Epilepsy 
• Heart disease 
• Kidney disease 
• Migraine headaches
• Diabetes 
• Ovarian cyst
• Stroke — Norethindrone acetate tablets should not be used in patients with these conditions.
• Liver disease, including tumors or cancer — Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Follow the directions on the prescription label carefully. Ask your health care providers if you have any questions.

Directions to use Ortho Micronor®:

• This medication comes in a blister card with a tablet dispenser. Each blister card contains 28 tablets.
• Take this medicine at the same time each day and in the order directed on the package. You may take this medicine with or without food.
• Administration is continuous, with no interruption between pill packs.
• You may begin taking this medication on the first day of your menstrual period. When you begin on another day, you need to use another form of birth control for the first 48 hours. If you have a miscarriage or an abortion, you may start the taking the pill on the next day.
• Light bleeding or spotting may occur when you first take the pill.
• If you are using a combination hormonal method and has a plan to switch to Ortho Micronor®, you should take the medicine the day after you finish the last active combined pill.

Recommended dosage for contraception:

• One tablet taken at the same time each day for 28 days.

Recommended dosage for treatment of secondary amenorrhea or abnormal vaginal bleeding:

• 2.5 to 10 milligrams once a day for 5 to 10 days.

Recommended dosage for treatment of endometriosis:

• Initial dose is 5 milligrams once a day for 2 weeks. Your doctor may increase your dose by 2.5 mg per day every 2 weeks up to 15 mg per day for 6 to 9 months.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is near for your next dose, skip the missed dose and start again to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Store the medication in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep out of reach of children. Do not keep expired medications.

Check with your doctor on regular visits to monitor your progress with the medication. These visits will usually be every 6 to 12 months, but some doctors require them more often.

Tell your doctor right away if you are a nursing mother, planning to get pregnant, or expecting a baby. Light or heavy vaginal bleeding may also occur between your regular menstrual periods during the first 3 months of use. If this should occur, continue with your regular dosing schedule.

Check with your doctor if,

• If bleeding usually stops within 1 week or if bleeding continues for more than 1 week.
• If bleeding continues after you have been taking hormonal contraceptives on schedule and for more than 3 months.
• If you miss a menstrual period. Missed periods may occur if you skip one or more tablets and have not taken your pills exactly as directed. Talk to your doctor if you miss two periods in a row. You might need a pregnancy test.
• If you have trouble wearing contact lenses or if blurred vision, difficulty with reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist.
• If you have sudden or severe lower abdominal or stomach pain. These may be symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy or an ovarian cyst.

Talk with your doctor before refilling an old prescription, especially after a pregnancy. Another physical examination will be done and your doctor may change your prescription.

Do not use this medicine if you smoke cigarettes. If you smoke while using birth control pills, you increase your risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot.

Tell your doctor first that you are using this medication before undergoing any medical procedures. Do not take any other medication without discussing it first to your doctor. Talk to your doctor if you are planning to take any other medication.

If any of the following side effects occur, check with your doctor right away:

• Frequent and Irregular bleeding
• Menstrual changes
• Abdominal or Stomach pain
• Blindness
• Blue-yellow color blindness
• Blurred vision
• Breast pain
• Changes in menstrual period
• Changes in vision
• Chills
• Clay-colored stools
• Confusion
• Cough
• Dark urine
• Decreased vision
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Discouragement
• Dizziness
• Double vision
• Eye pain
• Fast heartbeat
• Feeling sad or empty
• Fever
• General tiredness and weakness
• Headache
• Heavy non-menstrual vaginal bleeding
• Hives, Itching, or Rash
• Irritability
• Lack of appetite
• Light-colored stools
• Light vaginal bleeding between regular menstrual periods
• Loss of interest or pleasure
• Migraine headache
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Numbness of the hands
• Pain, Redness, or Swelling in the arm or leg
• Puffiness or Swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Swelling
• Tightness in the chest
• Trouble concentrating
• Trouble sleeping
• Unpleasant breath odor
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• Vomiting of blood
• Yellow eyes and skin

Less serious side effects:

• Breast tenderness
• Increased hair growth, especially on the face
• Pimples
• Weight gain
• Brown, Blotchy spots on exposed skin
• Enlarged breasts
• Hair loss or thinning of the hair
• Mood swings
• Nervousness
• Weight changes

Not all side effects are listed above. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.