Norethisterone 5mg tablets are part of a group of medicines known as ‘progestogens’ – a synthetic version of the female hormone progesterone.
Before your menstrual cycle begins, the amount of progesterone in your body drops, signaling that it’s time for your period. Norethisterone works by falsely maintaining the level of progesterone and thereby delaying your period.
Norethisterone is the generic version of the branded medication, Utovlan. They both contain the same active ingredient, norethisterone, which is also used to treat:
- Heavy periods
- Painful periods
- Irregular or frequent periods
- Pre-menstrual tension (PMT)
- Endometriosis
It’s possible to delay your period by up to 27 days with Norethisterone 5mg tablets. At Post My Meds, you can buy them in packs of 30, 60, and 90 tablets.
How to take Norethisterone tablets
The usual dose for delaying your period is one 5mg tablet three times a day.
For it to work effectively, you should start three days before your period is due. Your normal period will begin two to three days after you stop taking Norethisterone.
Norethisterone will not stop you getting pregnant, and it should not be used alongside hormonal contraceptives, such as the combined contraceptive pill or mini pill.
We recommend reading the patient information leaflet before you start taking Norethisterone.
Some people taking Norethisterone experience side effects, and in very rare cases it can cause an allergic reaction. If you experience any of these symptoms you should stop taking the tablets and seek immediate medical help:
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Feeling faint
- Swelling of the face or tongue
- Swelling of the hands and feet
- Intense itchy skin rash
If you suffer jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), a migraine for the first time, or a rise in blood pressure, then make an appointment to discuss these symptoms with your doctor straight away.
You should not take Norethisterone if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant – your doctor may advise that you take a pregnancy test before you start treatment.
In certain circumstances, your doctor may advise you against taking Norethisterone to delay your period. If you, or a close family member, has ever suffered with blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or unexplained vaginal bleeding, then you should not take Norethisterone.
For a full list of side effects and cautions, download the patient information leaflet.
Is it safe to delay my period?
Most women take Norethisterone without any adverse effects, but for some people it’s not safe to use this type of period delay tablet. In particular, if you suffer from migraines, or you, or a close family member, has ever had a blood clot, then you shouldn’t take Norethisterone.
Before we issue your medication, the pharmacists at Post My Meds, will ask you about your medical history to check that you are suitable to take it. We only ever prescribe medication where we believe it is safe to do so.
Can you take Norethisterone with other medication?
Some medications are not compatible with Norethisterone, in particular some antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen, and the herbal remedy St John’s Wort. You should tell your doctor or pharmacist about any other medications you are taking or have recently taken, including oral contraceptives.
How long should I take Norethisterone for?
Norethisterone is a synthetic hormone, and it is not suitable to take long-term. You should only take these tablets for as long as you need to delay your period. At Post My Meds, we sell Norethisterone in quantities of:
- 30 tablets for a 7-day period delay
- 60 tablets for a 17-day period delay
- 90 tablets for a 27-day period delay
Your period should return two to three days after you stop taking these tablets.
What should I do if I forget to take a tablet?
If you miss a tablet take it as soon as you remember, then continue your course of treatment as normal. Never take two tablets to make up for a missed dose.
I haven’t got my period, what should I do?
If your period doesn’t start within two to three days of finishing your course of Norethisterone, you should book an appointment to see your GP. They may advise you to take a pregnancy test.
Can you buy Norethisterone tablets online?
Norethisterone is available to buy online from Post My Meds without needing to get a prescription from your doctor. Once you’ve chosen your treatment, you will be asked to complete a short online consultation, and your answers will be reviewed by one of our pharmacists.
If you are suitable to take Norethisterone, we will issue a prescription and dispatch your medication by Royal Mail first class post. To protect your privacy, we ship all our products in generic, unbranded packaging – the only thing you can expect to see on your package is your name and address.
Is it safe to buy medication online?
Post My Meds is subject to all the same laws as high street pharmacies. We are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council and everything we sell is approved by the UK’s regulator for medicines and healthcare products (MHRA).
