Noriday

Noriday is a progestogen-only pill (POP), also known as the mini-pill, containing norethisterone.

It is prescribed for contraception in women who prefer a hormone-based method without an oestrogen component.

It is suitable for women who cannot take combined oral contraceptives due to oestrogen-related contraindications or side effects.

Norethisterone exerts its contraceptive effect primarily by thickening the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to penetrate and reach the egg.

It also alters the endometrial lining, reducing the likelihood of implantation. In some cycles, it may inhibit ovulation, but this effect is inconsistent at the standard POP dose.

The effectiveness of Noriday depends heavily on taking it at the same time each day, with a strict three-hour window.

Because it contains no oestrogen, Noriday does not carry the increased risk of venous thromboembolism associated with combined pills.

This makes it an option for women with a history of blood clots, hypertension, migraine with aura, or who are breastfeeding. It is taken continuously with no pill-free break.

Take one Noriday tablet at the same time every day, without any breaks between packs.

Consistency of timing is critical: the contraceptive effect may be compromised if you take the tablet more than three hours late.

If you are more than three hours late, take it as soon as you remember and use additional precautions (such as condoms) for the next 48 hours.

Start on the first day of your menstrual period for immediate protection. If starting at any other time, use additional precautions for the first 48 hours.

Continue taking one tablet daily, beginning the next pack immediately after finishing the current one. Carry the pills with you if your schedule varies.

One 350-microgram tablet daily, taken without interruption. There is no tablet-free interval. Each pack contains 28 tablets; start the next pack the day after finishing the current one.

The dose is not adjustable. Noriday is not recommended for use before menarche. There are no specific dose modifications for renal impairment; use with caution in hepatic impairment.

Common side effects include irregular menstrual bleeding patterns, which may involve spotting between periods, shorter or longer cycles, or occasionally absence of periods altogether.

Headache, breast tenderness, nausea, mood changes, and acne are also reported.

Uncommon effects include weight change, decreased libido, dizziness, and ovarian cysts (which are usually functional and resolve spontaneously).

Serious adverse effects are rare.

Ectopic pregnancy should be considered if pregnancy occurs while taking Noriday, as the altered tubal motility associated with progestogens slightly increases the relative (though not the absolute) risk.

If you develop sudden severe abdominal pain or unexpected heavy bleeding, seek medical assessment promptly.

Noriday must be taken within a strict three-hour window to maintain contraceptive efficacy.

If you have persistent vomiting or severe diarrhoea, contraceptive cover may be reduced; treat this as a missed pill and use additional precautions for 48 hours.

Inform your prescriber if you have a history of ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cysts, liver disease, or breast cancer.

If you develop severe lower abdominal pain while taking Noriday, seek urgent medical advice to exclude ectopic pregnancy or ovarian cyst complications.

Noriday is contraindicated in women with known or suspected pregnancy, active liver disease or liver tumours, unexplained vaginal bleeding, current breast cancer or a history of breast cancer within the past five years, and known hypersensitivity to norethisterone or any excipient.

Acute porphyria is also a contraindication.