Norethindrone is in a class of medications called progestins.

Take norethindrone exactly as directed.

Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Norethindrone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

acne
changes in menstrual flow
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
enlarged or tender breasts
growth of hair on face
irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting
upset stomach
weight changes

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to norethindrone, oral contraceptives, or any other medications.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol),phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), and phenytoin (Dilantin); and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane).

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and dizziness.

tell your doctor if you have recently had surgery or have been unable to move around for any reason and if you have or have ever had breast cancer; unexplained vaginal bleeding; a missed abortion (a pregnancy that ended when the unborn child died in the uterus but was not expelled from the body); blood clots in your legs, lungs, brain, or eyes; stroke or mini-stroke; coronary artery disease (clogged blood vessels leading to the heart); chest pain; a heart attack; thrombophilia (a condition in which the blood clots more easily); seizures; migraine headaches; depression; asthma; high cholesterol; diabetes; or heart, kidney, or liver disease.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Norethindrone is used to treat endometriosis, a condition in which the type of tissue that lines the uterus (womb) grows in other areas of the body and causes pain, heavy or irregular menstruation (periods), and other symptoms.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Before taking norethindrone,

Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking norethindrone, call your doctor immediately.

Norethindrone should never be used to test for pregnancy.

if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking norethindrone.

tell your doctor if you smoke cigarettes. Smoking may increase the risk that you will develop serious side effects of norethindrone.