Noriday (Norethisterone)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Noriday Used For?
Noriday 28 Day is a birth control pill commonly known as a ‘progestogen-only’ pill or ‘mini pill’ that contains the active ingredient norethisterone.
Primary Uses
Noriday is used to prevent pregnancy. It is usually given to women who are unable to take other types of birth control pills (oral contraceptives) or use intrauterine devices (IUDs).
How It Works
Noriday causes changes to the mucus of the cervix and the lining of the womb and affects the hormonal control system of the body, which may all contribute to the birth control (contraceptive) action.
Important to know: The effectiveness of the progestogen-only pill is lower than that of other birth control pills. If taken according to directions, approximately 4 pregnancies may occur per 100 women using it for 1 year, compared to less than 1 pregnancy with combined oral contraceptives.
How to Take Noriday
Take one tablet every day at the same time, regardless of whether you have sex. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water.
Dosage Instructions
Take one tablet every day. To start for the first time, take your first tablet on the first day of your next period. Take the tablet from the top row that corresponds to the day of the week. Continue taking one tablet daily following the arrows around the strip until you finish all 28 tablets. When finished, start the next strip the following day. During the first two weeks only, use additional non-hormonal birth control (such as condoms).
What If You Miss a Dose?
If less than 3 hours late: take the tablet immediately and continue as normal. If more than 3 hours late: take the tablet but use additional non-hormonal contraception until your next period. If you miss two or more tablets: stop taking Noriday immediately, use non-hormonal contraception until your period occurs or your doctor confirms you’re not pregnant, then restart with a new strip as if starting for the first time.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. If you vomit or have diarrhea, continue taking tablets but use additional non-hormonal contraception until your next period.
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
- Breast tenderness
- Changes in sex drive
- Abdominal pain, cramps or bloating
- Changes to mood
- Headaches
- Weight changes
- Swelling of hands, ankles or feet
- Acne
- Loss of scalp hair
- Increase in body hair
- Dizziness, tiredness, nervousness
- Changes in appetite
- Gastric or stomach discomfort including nausea and vomiting
- Feeling very thirsty, dry mouth, frequently needing to urinate
- Retention of fluids
- Dark discoloration of the skin
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Blood clots
- Worsening or new onset of migraines/headaches
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
- Significant rise in blood pressure
- Worsening of existing conditions such as porphyria
- Signs of allergic reaction (shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching or hives)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Noriday should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Noriday
Do not use if you are allergic to norethisterone or similar contraceptives, have had stroke or heart attack, blood vessel inflammation/infection/clotting, liver disease, sickle cell anemia, lipid metabolism disorders, history of herpes of pregnancy, otosclerosis that worsened in pregnancy, family history of breast problems, cancer or suspected cancer of breast or sex organs, abnormal vaginal bleeding of unknown cause, are pregnant or suspect pregnancy, or have not had your first period.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you are a heavy smoker (15+ cigarettes daily, especially over age 35), have family history of blood clots, are overweight, recently had or planning major surgery, confined to bed long periods, or have liver/kidney/heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, migraine, depression, or are lactose intolerant.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use if pregnant or suspected pregnant. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Noriday. Small amounts pass into breast milk with rare reports of adverse effects on nursing children, including jaundice. Discuss risks and benefits with your doctor if breastfeeding.
Smoking Warning: Oral contraceptives increase your risk of stroke or heart attack. Smoking while taking oral contraceptives further increases this risk, especially in women over 35 years who smoke 15 or more cigarettes per day.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Noriday and affect how well it works, potentially reducing contraceptive effectiveness.
Antacid timing: If you need to take antacids while on Noriday, take these medicines at least 2 hours apart as antacids may decrease absorption of Noriday.
- Rifampicin for tuberculosis treatment
- Epilepsy medicines such as barbiturates, primidone, phenytoin and carbamazepine
- Antibiotics such as ampicillin
- Anti-fungal agents such as griseofulvin
- St John’s Wort
- Some antiviral medicines (including protease inhibitors) for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C
- Antacids for indigestion or heartburn
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or using machinery until you know how Noriday affects you.
Alcohol
No specific information available about alcohol interactions with Noriday.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Noriday may cause dizziness in some people. Make sure you know how Noriday affects you before you drive or use machines.
Storage
Keep Noriday tablets 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 – if you remove them from the blister pack, they may not keep well. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy the medicine. Keep away from children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Noriday, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort. Overdose may cause nausea, breast tenderness, dizziness and/or fatigue, possibly followed by vaginal bleeding in some women.
Frequently Asked Questions
Noriday should be started on the first day of your period. During the first two weeks of use only, you need to use additional non-hormonal birth control methods for added protection.
The medication guide doesn’t specify food requirements. You should swallow one tablet with a glass of water at the same time every day.
Do not stop taking Noriday without checking with your doctor. If you stop taking Noriday or don’t take a tablet every day without using another form of contraception, you may become pregnant.
If less than 3 hours late, take the tablet immediately. If more than 3 hours late, take the tablet but use additional contraception until your next period. If you miss two or more tablets, stop taking Noriday and use non-hormonal contraception until your doctor confirms you’re not pregnant.
Weight changes are listed as a common side effect of Noriday. You should discuss any concerns about weight changes with your doctor.
If you vomit or have diarrhea after taking Noriday, its effectiveness will be reduced. Continue taking your tablets but also use non-hormonal contraception until your next period occurs.
The effectiveness of progestogen-only pills like Noriday is lower than other birth control pills. About 4 pregnancies may occur per 100 women using it for 1 year, compared to less than 1 pregnancy with combined oral contraceptives.
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.