Norimin (Ethinylestradiol And Norethisterone)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Norimin Used For?
Norimin 28 Day is a combined oral contraceptive pill that contains two hormones – ethinylestradiol (an estrogen) and norethisterone (a progestogen). It’s commonly known as ‘the Pill’ and is designed to prevent pregnancy when taken correctly.
Primary Uses
Norimin 28 Day is used to prevent pregnancy. Your doctor may have prescribed it for other reasons as well.
How It Works
Norimin prevents pregnancy in three ways: by preventing ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary) during each menstrual cycle, by changing cervical mucus consistency to make it difficult for sperm to reach the egg, and by changing the uterine lining to make 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
Take one tablet every day at the same time, regardless of how often you have sex. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Taking it at the same time each day helps you remember and ensures the best protection.
Dosage Instructions
Take one tablet daily. Start with the first blue tablet from the top row on the first day of your period. Take all 21 blue tablets following the arrows, then take one orange tablet daily for 7 days. Start a new pack the day after your last orange tablet, even if still bleeding. You can expect your period during the orange tablet week.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If less than 12 hours late: take the missed tablet immediately, then take the next one at your usual time. If more than 12 hours late: don’t take the missed tablet, take the next day’s tablet at usual time, and use additional non-hormonal contraception for 7 days. If you miss an orange 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 blue 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
Norimin has serious warnings, especially regarding blood clots and certain medical conditions. You must have a thorough medical check-up before starting, including Pap smear, breast check, blood pressure check, and urine test.
Who Should Not Take Norimin
Do not use if you: are allergic to ethinylestradiol, norethisterone, or similar medicines; have or 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 biochemical factors, cancer, obesity, smoking (especially 15+ cigarettes daily), or pregnancy; have arterial blood clots, uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes with blood vessel damage, severe lipid disease, certain migraines, liver disease, breast or reproductive organ cancers, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or are taking certain hepatitis C medications.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell 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, or have lactose intolerance.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use if pregnant or think you might be pregnant. Pregnancy must be excluded before starting. If you become pregnant while taking Norimin, see your doctor immediately. 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 or strokes.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines can interact with Norimin and affect how well it works, potentially reducing contraceptive effectiveness or causing unwanted side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Additional Contraception Needed: When taking medicines that reduce Norimin’s effectiveness, use non-hormonal contraception for 7 days after stopping them. If these 7 days extend into orange tablets, skip them and start a new pack.
- Atorvastatin (cholesterol medicine)
- Indinavir (HIV treatment)
- Anti-fungal medicines (itraconazole, fluconazole)
- Paracetamol
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Ciclosporin (organ rejection prevention)
- Theophyllines (asthma treatment)
- Corticosteroids
- Lamotrigine (seizure medicine)
- Hepatitis C medicines (glecaprevir, pibrentasvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, dasabuvir)
- Rifampicin and rifabutin (infection treatment)
- Antibiotics (ampicillin, oxacillin, tetracyclines, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim)
- Griseofulvin (anti-fungal)
- Barbiturates (epilepsy medicines)
- Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, primidone, carbamazepine, topiramate)
- Modafinil (sleepiness treatment)
- Dexamethasone (corticosteroid)
- St John’s wort
Alcohol & Driving
Norimin may cause dizziness in some people, so make sure you know how it affects you before driving or using machinery.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Make sure you know how Norimin affects you before driving or using machines, as it may cause dizziness in some people.
Storage
Keep Norimin 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 pack, they may not keep well.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Norimin, seek urgent medical attention immediately. 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, but serious effects haven’t been reported in children who accidentally took large doses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Norimin is effective from the first day if you start taking it on the first day of your period as directed. You’re protected from pregnancy immediately when taken correctly.
Continue taking your tablets but also use additional non-hormonal contraception (like condoms) during the illness and for 7 days after. If these 7 days extend into the orange tablet week, skip the orange tablets and start a new pack.
If the 7 days of additional contraception needed after certain medications extend into the orange tablet section, you should skip the orange tablets and start a new pack, which means you won’t have a period until you finish the second pack.
If you miss two periods, stop taking your tablets and see your doctor immediately, even if you’ve taken them correctly. Use non-hormonal contraception during this time. Your doctor will check if you’re pregnant before you can restart Norimin.
Yes, tell your doctor at least 4 weeks before any planned surgery or hospitalization. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking Norimin several weeks before surgery and will advise when you can restart after you’re back on your feet.
Visit your doctor regularly for check-ups including Pap smears, blood pressure checks, and breast, abdomen and pelvic examinations. You should also perform regular breast self-examinations.
The switching process depends on whether your current pill is a 21-day or 28-day type. You’ll need to use additional non-hormonal contraception until you’ve taken blue tablets for 7 days without a break. Follow the specific switching instructions or consult your doctor.
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.