MedicinePOM

Norethisterone

Progestogen-only contraceptive pill.

Clinical information

Common uses

preventing pregnancy (progestin-only pill)

Common side effects

irregular or frequent bleeding
headache
breast tenderness
nausea and dizziness
rarely acne or weight gain

Cautions

strongly advised not to smoke while on the pill
not with breast cancer, liver tumours or acute liver disease
not with undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding
higher share of any pregnancies are ectopic

Interactions

rifampicin (less effective contraception)
anticonvulsants — phenytoin, carbamazepine, topiramate, barbiturates
griseofulvin
St John's wort (breakthrough bleeding, failure)
anti-HIV protease inhibitors (levels altered)

Pregnancy: not for use in pregnancy — rule pregnancy out first

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, norethindrone tablet label, setid e31dee3e-beee-4e4e-ab15-50298c030de6 (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations2

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Norethisterone Ip	Tablet ( Uncoated Tablet )	5 mg	—	POM
Primolut - N	Tablet ( Uncoated Tablet )	5 mg	authorized medicine importers	POM