PrescriptionGiant is a FREE prescription savings program that can save you up to 75% on your prescriptions with or without insurance!

Birth-control pills (Generic Progestin-Only (norethindrone) Oral Contraceptives)

Actual product appearance may differ slightly.

Click the CARD below to print or take a screenshot on your mobile phone or tablet. There is no need to download another app!

If you would like to personalize your card enter your full name in the member name field below the card at this link and click the Update button.


Why is this medication prescribed?

Oral contraceptives that contain just progestin (norethindrone) are used to prevent pregnancy. Women produce the hormone progestin. Ovulation, the release of eggs from the ovaries, is prevented, and the cervical mucus and uterine lining are altered. Oral contraceptives that contain solely progestin (norethindrone) are a very successful way of birth control, but they have no effect on the spread of AIDS or other STDs.

How should this medicine be used?

Oral contraceptives that contain solely progestin (norethindrone) are available as tablet form. They are taken at the same time, once day. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Take oral contraceptives that contain just progestin (norethindrone) as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Oral contraceptives that contain solely progestin (norethindrone) are sold in packs of 28 tablets. the day after the previous pack is finished, start the subsequent one.

You might need to use a backup method of birth control for the following 48 hours if you vomit shortly after taking an oral contraceptive that contains solely progestin (norethindrone). Before starting your oral contraceptive, discuss this with your doctor so that you can get ready with a backup birth control option just in case.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient prior to using a progestin-only oral contraceptive, and carefully read it.

Other uses for this medicine

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking progestin-only oral contraceptives,

  • If you have any allergies, including to norethindrone, other progestins, other drugs, or any of the substances in progestin-only (norethindrone) oral contraceptives, let your doctor and pharmacist know right once.
  • Inform your physician and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Incorporate any of the following: Bosentan (Tracleer), carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol, among others), felbamate (Felbatol), griseofulvin (Gris-PEG), HIV protease inhibitors like atazanavir (Reyataz, in Evotaz), darunavir (Prezista, in Prezcobix, in Symtuza), fosamprenavir (Lexiva); phenobarbital, topiramate, rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifater), and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) (Qudexy, Topamax, Trokendi, in Qsymia). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
  • Please let your doctor know if you are taking any herbal supplements, especially St. John’s wort.
  • If you experience unexplained abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver cancer, liver tumours, or any other form of liver disease, let your doctor know. Also let your doctor know whether you currently have breast cancer or ever have. Most likely, your doctor will advise against using oral contraceptives that contain solely progestin (norethindrone).
  • If you have diabetes now or formerly had it, let your doctor know.
  • Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you get pregnant while using progestin-only (norethindrone) contraception.
  • You may be pregnant if you stop having periods while using oral contraception. If you have taken your medication as directed and miss one period, you may still take your medication. However, call your doctor and use another method of birth control until you have a pregnancy test if you have taken your pills as prescribed and you miss one period or if you have taken them as prescribed and you miss two. Call your doctor if you think you could be pregnant or if you develop pregnancy-related symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or sore breasts.
  • If you use tobacco products, let your doctor know. Smoking cigarettes may make heart attacks and strokes more likely. Using this medication while smoking is not advised.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Once you are aware of the missing dose, take it immediately. Then, resume taking progestin-only (norethindrone) contraceptives at the scheduled time. For the following 48 hours, utilise a backup method of birth control if you take a dose more than 3 hours late. You should continue using progestin-only (norethindrone) contraceptives and utilise a backup form of birth control until you speak with your doctor if you are unsure what to do about the pills you missed.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Oral contraceptives that contain just progestin (norethindrone) may have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

  • Irregular intervals of menstruation
  • Headache
  • Breast sensitivity
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Acne
  • Gaining weight
  • Higher hair growth

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Even though the following signs are unusual, you should call your doctor right once if you notice any of them:

  • Unexpectedly thick or protracted menstrual bleeding
  • Absence of menstruation
  • Very bad stomach ache

Oral contraceptives that contain both oestrogen and progestin may make you more likely to develop liver tumours, endometrial cancer, and breast cancer. It is unknown if oral contraceptives that contain solely progestin (norethindrone) increase the risk of these illnesses. The dangers of using this drug should be discussed with your doctor.

Oral (norethindrone) contraceptives that only contain progestin may have additional negative effects. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of emergency/overdose

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

What other information should I know?

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

Inform the lab staff that you use oral contraceptives that contain solely progestin (norethindrone) prior to any laboratory tests because this medicine may affect the results.

Women who use oral contraceptives occasionally nevertheless get pregnant. If it has been more than 45 days since your last menstruation, if it is late, if you skipped one or more doses, if you took them late, and if you had sex without using a backup method of birth control, you should get a pregnancy test.

Stop using progestin-only contraceptives if you want a baby. Your ability to become pregnant shouldn’t be hampered by progestin-only contraception.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

  • Camila®
  • Errin®
  • Heather®
  • Incassia®
  • Jencycla®
  • Jolivette®
  • Micronor®
  • Nor-Q.D.®
  • Ovrette®
Copyright © 2023 PrescriptionGiant.com