Norimin-1 (Ethinylestradiol And Norethisterone)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Norimin-1 Used For?
Norimin-1 28 Day is a combined oral contraceptive pill (birth control pill) that contains two hormones: ethinylestradiol (an estrogen hormone) and norethisterone (a progestogen hormone). It is designed to prevent pregnancy when taken correctly.
Primary Uses
Norimin-1 28 Day is used to prevent pregnancy. Your doctor may have prescribed it for other reasons as well.
How It Works
Norimin-1 works in several ways to prevent pregnancy: it prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) during each menstrual cycle, changes the cervical mucus consistency making it difficult for sperm to reach the egg, and changes the lining of the uterus making it less suitable for implantation.
Good to know: This product is effective from the first day if taken as directed, starting on the first day of your period.
How to Take Norimin-1
Take one tablet at the same time every day, regardless of how often you have sex. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. The medication works best when taken consistently at the same time each day.
Dosage Instructions
Take one tablet every day. Start with the first white tablet from the top row on the first day of your period. Take all 21 white tablets in the silver section following the arrows, then take one orange tablet daily for 7 days. Your period should occur during the orange tablet week. Start the next pack the day after your last orange tablet, even if still bleeding.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a white active tablet and are less than 12 hours late, take it immediately and continue as normal. If more than 12 hours late, skip the missed tablet, take the next day’s tablet at the usual time, and use additional non-hormonal contraception for 7 days. If you miss an orange inactive tablet, take it when you remember – no additional contraception needed.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. If you miss more than one white tablet, contact your doctor for advice.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Changes to bleeding patterns
- Painful periods
- Breast tenderness
- Changes in sex drive
- Abdominal pain, cramps or bloating
- Mood changes
- Headaches
- Weight changes
- Swelling of hands, ankles or feet
- Acne
- Loss of scalp hair
- Increase in body hair
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Blood clots
- Worsening or new onset migraines/headaches
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
- Significant rise in blood pressure
- Worsening of existing conditions (epileptic seizures, asthma attacks)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Norimin-1 should not be used, and others where special caution is needed.
Who Should Not Take Norimin-1
Do not use if you: are allergic to ethinylestradiol, norethisterone, or similar contraceptives; have or have had blood clots in legs, lungs, heart, brain, or other body parts; are at increased risk of blood clots due to family history, prolonged immobilization, major surgery, certain medical conditions, obesity, age above 35, heavy smoking (15+ cigarettes daily), or pregnancy; have arterial blood clots, stroke, angina, or mini-stroke; have uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes with blood vessel damage, severe lipid disease, sickle cell anemia, or migraine with neurological symptoms; have liver disease, pancreas inflammation with high triglycerides, breast or reproductive organ cancers, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or are pregnant; are taking certain anti-viral hepatitis C medications.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have: heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hepatitis C, diabetes, migraines, breast lumps, gallbladder disease, liver/kidney/heart disease, epilepsy, asthma, vision changes, depression, hereditary angioedema, are over 35 or overweight, have lactose intolerance, or any allergies.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use if pregnant or suspected pregnancy. Pregnancy must be excluded before starting. Discuss risks and benefits with your doctor if breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
Blood Clot Risk: The risk of blood clots is highest during the first year of taking oral contraceptives or when restarting after a 4+ week break. Tell your doctor about any family history of blood clots.
Drug Interactions
Some medications can interact with Norimin-1 and affect how well it works or increase side effects. Always tell your healthcare providers about all medications you’re taking.
Additional Contraception: When taking medications that reduce Norimin-1’s effectiveness, use non-hormonal contraception during treatment and for 7 days after stopping the interacting medication.
- Atorvastatin (cholesterol medication)
- Indinavir (HIV treatment)
- Anti-fungal medicines (itraconazole, fluconazole)
- Paracetamol
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Ciclosporin (organ rejection prevention)
- Theophyllines (asthma treatment)
- Corticosteroids
- Lamotrigine (seizure medication)
- Anti-viral hepatitis C medicines
- Rifampicin and rifabutin (tuberculosis treatment)
- Antibiotics (ampicillin, oxacillin, tetracyclines, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim)
- Griseofulvin (anti-fungal)
- Barbiturates (epilepsy medications)
- Epilepsy medications (phenytoin, primidone, carbamazepine, topiramate)
- Ritonavir (HIV treatment)
- Modafinil (excessive sleepiness)
- Dexamethasone (corticosteroid)
- St John’s wort
Alcohol & Driving
Norimin-1 may cause dizziness in some people, which can affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Make sure you know how Norimin-1 affects you before driving or using machines, as it may cause dizziness in some people.
Storage
Keep Norimin-1 in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them, as they may not keep well if removed from the packaging.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Norimin-1, seek immediate medical attention. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine. Overdose may cause nausea and possibly vaginal bleeding in some women. Serious ill effects have not been reported in children who accidentally took large doses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Norimin-1 is effective from the first day if you start taking it on the first day of your period as directed.
The medication should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water. No specific food restrictions are mentioned.
If you vomit or have diarrhea, continue taking your tablets but use additional non-hormonal contraception during the illness and for 7 days after recovery, as the effectiveness may be reduced.
Do not stop taking Norimin-1 without checking with your doctor. If you stop or don’t take a tablet every day without using another form of contraception, you may become pregnant.
If you miss one period and took your tablets correctly, continue as normal. If you missed tablets or miss two periods, see your doctor immediately and use non-hormonal contraception until pregnancy is ruled out.
Yes, you should have regular check-ups with your doctor, including Pap smears, breast checks, blood pressure monitoring, and perform regular breast self-examinations.
Being over 35 increases your risk of blood clots, especially if you smoke heavily. You should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor, as this may be a contraindication depending on other risk factors.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.