How does it work?

Norethisterone is a synthetic form of the female sex hormone progesterone. It is given to women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with oestrogen. During the menopause levels of oestrogen, the main female sex hormone, decrease causing symptoms such as hot flushes, mood changes and difficulty sleeping. HRT with oestrogen is given to replace falling oestrogen levels and reduce these symptoms. However, oestrogen also stimulates the growth of the womb lining (endometrium), which can lead to endometrial cancer if this growth is unopposed. Norethisterone is given on days 15-26 of each 28 day cycle of oestrogen replacement therapy, to oppose the effect of oestrogen on the womb lining. This mimics the fluctuating levels of oestrogen and progesterone that occur in the natural menstrual cycle, and results in the womb lining being shed as a menstrual period at the end of each month. Overgrowth of the womb that could otherwise lead to endometrial cancer is therefore prevented. If a woman has had her womb surgically removed (a hysterectomy), endometrial cancer is not a risk and progesterone is not necessary as part of HRT.

What is it used for?

Preventing overgrowth of the womb lining due to oestrogen in hormone replacement therapy

Warning!

It is important to be aware that all women taking HRT appear to have a small increase in the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, compared with women who do not take HRT. However, this risk must be weighed against the benefits of taking HRT, such as prevention of osteoporosis, which you should discuss with your doctor. Women on HRT are advised to have regular breast examinations and mammograms, and to practice breast self-examination.

A woman is considered fertile for 2 years after her last menstrual period if she is under 50, or for 1 year if over 50. HRT does not provide contraception for women who fall within this group. If a potentially fertile women takes HRT and contraception is required, non-hormonal methods (eg condoms) are necessary.

While taking HRT there is an increased risk of blood clots in the blood vessels (thrombosis) if you have surgery or are immobile for prolonged periods. Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking HRT for a period of time prior to and following planned surgery, or if you are to be immobile for long periods. Discuss this with your doctor.

Bleeding mid-cycle (breakthrough bleeding) may occasionally occur in the first few weeks of treatment with this medicine. However, if this is a continuous occurrence, consult your doctor.

Use with caution in

Asthma

Breast disease

Decreased liver function

Diabetes

Epilepsy

Family history of breast cancer

Fibroids of the uterus

Gall stones

High blood pressure

History of blood clot lodged in a vein of the leg

History of heart attack

History of pulmonary embolism

History of stroke

Life long inherited blood diseases which can cause a variety of symptoms, including mental health problems (porphyrias)

Long-term inflammation of skin and some internal organs (systemic lupus erythematosus)

Malignant skin cancer

Multiple sclerosis

Not to be used in

Breastfeeding

History of blistering skin disease during pregnancy (pemphigoid gestationis)

History of jaundice or generalised itch during pregnancy

Inherited disorder of bile excretion that causes jaundice (Rotor syndrome)

Metabolic disorder that runs in families and causes mild jaundice (Dubin-Johnson syndrome)

Pregnancy

Severely decreased liver function

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine should not be used by breastfeeding mothers. Discuss this with your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Depression

Severe skin rash (erythema multiforme)

Nausea and vomiting

Weight changes

Breast tenderness

Changes in sex drive

Irregular brown patches on the skin of the face and elsewhere (chloasma)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Go To Next Page>>
The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved