Noriday Tablets

What is Noriday and what is it used for?

Noriday is a progesterone-only oral contraceptive pill. Its active ingredient is norethisterone, a synthetic version of the female sex hormone progesterone. Combined contraceptive pills contain a form of oestrogen, whereas progesterone-only pills such as Noriday can be used by women who cannot take oestrogen. This includes women who are breastfeeding or who suffer from regular migraines. If used correctly, Noriday is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

There are 28 tablets in each pack of Noriday. There is no interval in this treatment cycle – take the first pill of your next pack the day after finishing the first. Noriday needs to be taken at the same time each day. If it is taken more than 3 hours late, additional contraception will need to be used for the next 7 days to prevent pregnancy.

How does Noriday work?

Pregnancy occurs when an egg released from the ovaries is fertilised by sperm. Noriday increases progesterone levels in such a way that thickens the fluid in the cervix, preventing sperm from entering the womb and fertilising any eggs which are released. It can also prevent ovulation from occurring, though it does not do so as consistently as combined contraceptive pills.

Alternatives to Noriday

Noriday is a progesterone-only pill that contains synthetic progesterone, norethisterone. This type of contraceptive pill, along with progesterone-only pills that contain levonorgestrel such as Norgeston must be taken within a 3-hour window each day to offer protection against pregnancy.

More recently progesterone-only pills have become widely available that contain the ingredient desogestrel, which offers more flexibility, providing protection when taken within a 12-hour window. Contraceptive pills containing desogestrel include:

• Cerazette
• Cerelle
• Zelleta
• Feonella
• Generic Desogestrel

At The Independent Pharmacy, we are also proud to announce that we are now able to sell a new brand of progesterone-only pill, Lovima that under new guidelines can be purchased from pharmacies without the need for a prescription.

Non-Medicinal Contraception Alternatives

• Female Condoms - Not only do they prevent pregnancy they also prevent STIs. There is currently only one brand available in the UK, called Femidom. Shown to be 95% effective.
• Male Condoms - Prevent pregnancy and also prevent STIs. Shown to be 98% effective.

Sources

• Noriday Tablets, Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/e...
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/the-pill-progestogen-only
• https://patient.info/sexual-health/hormone-pills-patches-and-rings/progestogen-only-contraceptive-pill-pop#nav-4

Noriday warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

Noriday is unsuitable for you if you have:

• An allergy to any of the ingredients of Noriday
• Ever had cancer of the cervix, vagina, uterus or breast
• A history of liver disease
• Inflamed veins
• Blood clots
• Heart disease
• A history of stroke
• Problems with lipid metabolism
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding

Noriday is unsuitable for you if you have suffered from any of the following problems while pregnant:

• Jaundice
• Pruritus

You may be advised not to take Noriday if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Epilepsy
• Tetany
• Porphyria
• Otosclerosis
• Diabetes
• Reduced carbohydrate tolerance
• Migraines
• Heart problems
• Depression
• Kidney problems
• Varicose veins
• Asthma
• High blood pressure

If you require any blood test, inform your doctor of which medicines you are taking – Noriday may alter the results of some blood tests.

Noriday and cancer

Do not use Noriday if you have breast cancer, or if you have had it before. Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives may slightly increase your chance of developing breast cancer. Once you have stopped using the Pill for at least 10 years, your risk levels will come back down. Women who are elderly and/or overweight are more vulnerable to breast cancer. Take care using Noriday if a close relative has suffered from breast cancer before. Check your breasts and nipples regularly for any changes or lumps. If you notice anything abnormal, visit your doctor as soon as you can.

Noriday may increase your chance of developing cervical cancer. For this reason, you should have regular smear tests while taking the Pill.

Noriday and blood clots

You may be more susceptible to blood clots while taking Noriday, especially during the first year of use. Talk to your GP before having any operation while taking the Pill. You may need to stop using Noriday to avoid the increased risk of a blood clot in advance of the operation. You are also at a heightened risk of developing a blood clot if you:

• Smoke
• Are obese
• Have a family history of blood clots
• Do not exercise regularly
• Have had a miscarriage in the past
• Have recently given birth

Noriday and other medicines

The following medicines may impact the effectiveness of Noriday:

• Epilepsy medicines (e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine)
• HIV medicines (e.g. nelfinavir, ritonavir)
• Certain antibiotics (e.g. rifabutin, rifampicin)
• Griseofulvin
• St John’s Wort
• Modafinil

Noriday may impact the effectiveness of corticosteroids such as prednisone or cloprednol.

Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.

Noriday directions

Before taking Noriday you must ensure that you have read and understood how to take Noriday, which is detailed in the Patient Information Leaflet.

Noriday is for oral use only to prevent pregnancy. It can be prescribed online by our medical team at The Independent Pharmacy for women over the age of 18 years who are currently prescribed it by their GP.

• Take 1 Noriday tablet every day at the same time with a glass of water until the packet is empty.
• Start each new packet on the top row and take the tablet that correlates with the right day of the week printed on the pack over each tablet.
• When you finish a pack, start a new pack, in the same way, the next day. Do not have a break.

How do you start taking Noriday?

If you are not currently or have not used any hormonal contraception in the past month:

• You should wait for your period to begin and take your first Noriday tablet on the first day of your period.
• You will need to use a barrier method of contraception such as a condom for 7 days.

If you are switching from a combined pill, vaginal ring or transdermal patch:

• Do not have a tablet, ring or patch-free break and start taking your first Noriday tablet the day after you take your last tablet from your present pack, or on the day of removal of your vaginal ring or patch. You will need to use additional barrier contraception for the first 7 days.

If you are changing from any other progestogen-only-pill:

• Take your first tablet the day after you finish your original pill packet and you will not need to use additional barrier contraception.

If you are using Noriday after having a baby:

• You can start taking Noriday from day 21 after the birth of your baby and will not need to use additional barrier contraception.
• If you start taking Noriday tablets after day 21 you must use additional barrier contraception such as condoms, during the first 7 days.

Noriday missed pill

If you are over 3 hours late taking your Noriday tablet or you vomit or have diarrhoea with 2 hours, this counts as a missed pill:

• You should take the missed pill as soon as you remember or as soon as you feel better and then continue to take your pills at the usual time the next day. You may need to take 2 on the same day.
• You may not be completely protected from pregnancy so you should use a barrier method of contraception such as a condom for 7 days.
• If you are more than 3 hours late taking your pill and have had sex, you can use emergency contraception to protect you from pregnancy.

If you are less than 3 hours late taking your Noriday tablet:

• Take the missed pill as soon as you remember and take the next tablet at the usual time.
• You will still be protected from pregnancy.

Noriday ingredients

The active ingredients contained in Noriday are: 350 micrograms of norethisterone

Noriday also contains the following inactive ingredients: maize starch, povidone, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate.

Noriday side effects

Like other medications, Noriday may cause some people to experience side effects. These normally improve after the first few months of starting these tablets.

If you experience severe side effects or an allergic reaction while taking Noriday you should get immediate medical advice from a doctor or your nearest emergency department.

If you are concerned about any side effects or you find they do not improve after the first few months or after you stop using Noriday you should speak to a doctor, pharmacist or nurse for advice.

The most commonly reported side effects associated with Noriday are as follows:

• Irregular periods, spotting or no periods.
• Mood changes - low mood
• Decreased sexual drive
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Acne
• Breast pain and tenderness
• Weight increase

Before taking Noriday tablets, you should take time to familiarise yourself with all side effects detailed in the Patient Information Leaflet.