Norethisterone 5 mg

Category- Allopathy

Medicine Highlights

Norethisterone Uses

Norethisterone 5 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the category of synthetic progesterone’s and is used for the following indications:

1. Period pains 
2. Birth control 
3. Irregular periods 

Norethisterone side effects 

More Common  

1. Frequent and irregular bleeding 
2. Menstrual changes 
3. Breast tenderness 
4. Increased hair growth, especially on the face 
5. Pimples 
6. Weight gain 

Less Common 

1. Blindness 
2. Blue-yellow color blindness 
3. Blurred vision 
4. Breast pain 
5. Changes in menstrual period 
6. Changes in vision 
7. Chest tightness 
8. Chills 
9. Clay-colored stools 
10. Confusion 
11. Cough 
12. Dark urine 
13. Decreased vision 
14. Diarrhea 
15. Difficulty with swallowing 
16. Discouragement 
17. Dizziness 
18. Double vision 
19. Eye pain 
20. Fast heartbeat 
21. Feeling sad or empty 
22. Fever 
23. General tiredness and weakness 
24. Headache 
25. Heavy non-menstrual vaginal bleeding 
26. Hives, itching, or rash 
27. Irritability 
28. Lack of appetite 
29. Light-colored stools 
30. Light vaginal bleeding between regular menstrual periods 
31. Loss of interest or pleasure 
32. Migraine headache 
33. Nausea and vomiting 
34. Numbness of the hands 
35. Pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg 
36. Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue 
37. Stomach pain 
38. Swelling 
39. Trouble concentrating 
40. Trouble sleeping 
41. Unpleasant breath odor 
42. Unusual tiredness or weakness 
43. Upper right abdominal or stomach pain 
44. Vomiting of blood 
45. Yellow eyes and skin 

How Norethisterone works 

Norethisterone works by acting like the body’s natural hormone, progesterone; it stops the womb lining from shedding too early, reduces bleeding, eases pain, prevents egg release, and makes the womb entrance sticky so sperm can’t pass easily, leading to control of pregnancy.

Safety Measures and Warning 

Pregnancy

It is not recommended to take the norethisterone during pregnancy, as it may interfere with the baby’s development and can cause abortion or ectopic pregnancy. So, get a recommendation from the doctor before using it.

Breastfeeding

Norethisterone passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop norethisterone.

Kidney and Liver Problems

It is not recommended to take norethisterone in patients with serious kidney and liver damage or disease, as it can be converted into a less toxic form here and stay in damaged organs and can cause toxicity. So, it is recommended to take the doctor’s advice before using it.

Heart Patients

Norethisterone should be used with extreme caution in heart patients. It can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack, especially in those with a history of heart problems, high blood pressure, or clotting disorders. Also talk with your doctor if you have low or high resting blood pressure or a history of heart failure. 

Norethisterone Interaction with Food Product 

The use of drinks that contain alcohol raises your risk of low blood pressure from norethisterone. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor. You may need to have your blood pressure monitored while you take this drug.

Norethisterone Interaction with Other Medicines  

Avoid taking Norethisterone 5 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:

Norethisterone Chemical Structure

IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name

(8R,9S,10R,13S,14S,17R)-17-ethynyl-17-hydroxy-13-methyl-1,2,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,14,15,16-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one 

Intake routine/cycle

Daily dose

Take Norethisterone exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.

Overdose

It is not recommended to take more than 60 mg of norethisterone per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like kidney and liver damage, heart problems, and menstrual problems. If you face any of the severe effects, meet the doctor.

Storage

1. Store the medicine at room temperature 
2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture 
3. Keep out of reach of children 

Directions for use 

1. Take norethisterone exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day. 
2. Do not stop taking Norethisterone without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better. 
3. If you forget to take Norethisterone, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. 

Norethisterone Summary 

Norethisterone 5 mg is a hormone tablet used to treat issues like heavy or painful periods, birth control, irregular menstrual cycles, and conditions like endometriosis. It works by mimicking the body’s natural progesterone, helping to stabilize the uterus lining and reduce bleeding. Common side effects can include headache, nausea, weight gain, mood changes, and breast tenderness. This medication is not suitable for pregnant women, those with liver disease, certain cancers, and breastfeeding woman. Avoid grapefruit juice and certain medicines (like some antibiotics or epilepsy drugs), as they can reduce its effectiveness or increase risks. Always consult a doctor before starting it.

FAQ’s

What are norethisterone tablets used for?

Norethisterone is a hormone tablet used to treat issues like heavy or painful periods, birth control, irregular menstrual cycles, and conditions like endometriosis. It works by mimicking the body’s natural progesterone, helping to stabilize the uterus lining and reduce bleeding.

What is the norethisterone tablet price?

At Saya Care a strip of 10 tablets, in which each tablet contains 5 mg of norethisterone, costs around 16 rupees, which is 80% less than the market price.

What is the maximum dose of norethisterone for a day?

It is not recommended to take more than 30 mg of the norethisterone per day; in severe cases doctors may suggest up to 60 mg under strict supervision only.

What is the mechanism of action of norethisterone?

Norethisterone works by acting like the body’s natural hormone, progesterone; it stops the womb lining from shedding too early, reduces bleeding, eases pain, prevents egg release, and makes the womb entrance sticky so sperm can’t pass easily, leading to control of pregnancy. 

Reference 

1. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 6251, Norethindrone [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [cited 2025 Jul 29]. Available from. 
2. Mayo Clinic. Norethindrone (oral route) [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c2025 [updated 2025 Jul 01; cited 2025 Jul 29]. Available from. 
3. Practo. Norethisterone: uses, dosage, side effects, price, composition [Internet]. Bangalore: Practo Technologies Pvt Ltd; c2021 [updated 2021 Sep 09; cited 2025 Jul 29]. Available from. 
4. Drugs.com. Norethindrone: uses, side effects and warnings [Internet]. [place unknown]: Cerner Multum; c1996–2025 [updated 2025 Apr 21; cited 2025 Jul 29]. Available from. 
5. Boruah AM, Banerjee D, Bhardwaj F, Mallya S, Singal R, Sharma S, et al. Effect of norethisterone dose and duration in the management of abnormal uterine bleeding: a narrative review and case report. Drugs Context. 2024;13:1–19. Available from. 

Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy

Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy, affiliated with Andhra University, and from his 3rd year of graduation, he was working as a freelance medical and publication writer. Having expertise in systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices, he also reviewed more than 150 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Sage Journals, and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and he received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published a few systematic, narrative reviews and a few chapters of international expertise.