Norinyl-1 (Norethisterone And Mestranol)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Norinyl-1 Used For?
Norinyl-1 is a combined oral contraceptive, commonly known as a ‘birth control pill’ or ‘the Pill’. It contains both an estrogen (mestranol) and progestogen (norethisterone) hormone.
Primary Uses
Norinyl-1 is used for birth control to prevent pregnancy. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason as well.
How It Works
Norinyl-1 works by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) during each menstrual cycle. It also causes changes to the mucus of the cervix and the lining of the womb, which contribute to the contraceptive action.
Good to know: This medicine is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
How to Take Norinyl-1
You must take Norinyl-1 every day, regardless of how often you have sex. Norinyl-1 will work best if you don’t miss any tablets and take it at the same time each day.
Dosage Instructions
Swallow one Norinyl-1 tablet with a glass of water daily. For first-time users: Start on the first day of your period with a white tablet from the top row. Take one tablet daily for 21 days (white tablets), then one orange tablet daily for 7 days. Start a new pack the day after your last orange tablet, even if still bleeding. The product is effective from the first day if taken as directed.
What If You Miss a Dose?
For white active tablets: If less than 12 hours late, take the missed tablet immediately and continue as normal. If more than 12 hours late, skip the missed tablet, take the next day’s tablet at usual time, and use additional non-hormonal contraception for 7 days. For orange inactive tablets: Take as soon as you remember – no additional contraception needed.
Important: Do not try to make up for missed doses by taking more than one tablet at a time.
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 in bleeding patterns, breakthrough bleeding, spotting
- Painful periods or absence of periods
- Stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Change in appetite or weight
- Breast tenderness or enlargement
- Headaches including migraines
- Mood changes including depression
- Nervousness, dizziness, fatigue
- Skin changes, acne, rashes
- Hair growth or loss
- Leg cramps, back ache
- Change in sexual drive
- Vaginal thrush or irritation
- Contact lens discomfort
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Unexplained persistent head, chest, or arm pain
- Severe leg pain, swelling, or discoloration
- Shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat
- Vision problems, eye swelling
- Dizziness, fainting, weakness, numbness
- Confusion, trouble speaking
- Bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Breast lumps
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes)
- Rise in blood pressure
- Severe or new migraine headaches
Important Warnings
Norinyl-1 has serious risks and should not be used by certain people. You must have a thorough medical check-up before starting.
Who Should Not Take Norinyl-1
Do not take if you have: blood clots or history of blood clots, stroke, heart attack, uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes with blood vessel damage, liver disease, unexplained vaginal bleeding, breast or reproductive organ cancer, or if you’re pregnant. Also avoid if taking anti-viral hepatitis C medications containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, migraine, depression, epilepsy, liver/kidney disease, gallbladder disease, or family history of blood clots. Also inform if you smoke (especially over 35), are overweight, or planning surgery.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take if pregnant or suspect pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking Norinyl-1, see your doctor immediately.
Blood Clot Risk: The risk of blood clots is highest during the first year of taking an oral contraceptive or when restarting after a 4+ week break.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with the effectiveness of Norinyl-1, requiring additional contraception.
Additional contraception needed: Use non-hormonal contraception while taking interacting medicines and for 7 days after stopping them.
- Anti-viral hepatitis C medicines (ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, dasabuvir)
- Antibiotics (rifampicin, rifabutin, ampicillin, oxacillin, tetracyclines)
- Anti-epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbitone, primidone, topiramate)
- Anti-fungal agents (griseofulvin, itraconazole, fluconazole)
- HIV medicines (ritonavir, indinavir)
- Modafinil for excessive sleepiness
- Corticosteroids (dexamethasone)
- St John’s wort
- Atorvastatin, paracetamol, vitamin C, cyclosporin, theophyllines, lamotrigine
Alcohol & Driving
Norinyl-1 is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
This medicine is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
Storage
Store according to package instructions. Do not take if packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If expired or damaged, return to your pharmacist for disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Norinyl-1, immediately telephone your doctor, pharmacist, or Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. Serious ill effects have not been reported in children who have taken large doses. Overdose may cause nausea and possibly vaginal bleeding in some women.
Frequently Asked Questions
Norinyl-1 is effective from the first day if you start taking it on the first day of your period as directed.
If you miss a white tablet and are less than 12 hours late, take it immediately. If more than 12 hours late, skip the missed tablet and use additional contraception for 7 days. If you miss an orange tablet, just take it when you remember.
Some medications can reduce Norinyl-1’s effectiveness, including certain antibiotics, anti-epilepsy drugs, and St John’s wort. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
If you vomit or have diarrhea, Norinyl-1’s effectiveness may be reduced. Continue taking your tablets but use additional non-hormonal contraception for 7 days after the illness stops.
No, Norinyl-1 does not protect against STDs including HIV-AIDS, Chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, or hepatitis B. Use condoms for STD protection.
Have regular check-ups including Pap smears and breast examinations. See your doctor immediately if you experience severe symptoms like chest pain, leg swelling, vision problems, or signs of blood clots.
Don’t stop taking Norinyl-1 without checking with your doctor. If you stop or don’t take it daily without using another form of contraception, you may become pregnant.
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.