ethinylestradiol + norethisterone at a glance
Medicine class
Combined hormonal contraceptive pill
Main licensed use
Prevention of pregnancy
Food
May be taken with or without food
What is ethinylestradiol + norethisterone used for?
The selected Brevinor product is licensed for:
Oral contraception to prevent pregnancy
How does ethinylestradiol + norethisterone work?
The hormones suppress signals between the brain and ovaries, primarily preventing ovulation. Changes to cervical mucus and the womb lining also contribute to contraception.
ethinylestradiol + norethisterone preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 1 mg + 0.035 mg
How to take ethinylestradiol + norethisterone
Take by mouth with or without food, following the prescribed instructions and product leaflet.
Vomiting or severe diarrhoea can reduce absorption and contraceptive protection.
Contact a pharmacist, doctor or sexual-health service if illness disrupts tablet-taking.
ethinylestradiol + norethisterone side effects
Common or expected effects
- Feeling sick or stomach upset
- Headache
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Spotting, irregular bleeding or absent withdrawal bleeding
- Changes in mood, appetite or sex drive
- Weight change
Get urgent medical advice
- Symptoms of a blood clot, heart attack or stroke
- New, severe or worsening migraine, particularly with neurological or visual symptoms
- Severe allergic reaction or angioedema
- Marked mood deterioration, depression or suicidal thoughts
- Significant rise in blood pressure
ethinylestradiol + norethisterone in pregnancy
This combination is not intended for use during pregnancy. If pregnancy is suspected or confirmed, stop using it and contact the prescriber. Available epidemiological evidence does not indicate fetal harm from inadvertent exposure to combined oestrogen–progestogen contraceptives.
ethinylestradiol + norethisterone while breastfeeding
The selected Brevinor product is not advised while fully breastfeeding because oestrogen may reduce milk production and its effect on breastfed infants is undetermined. Discuss product choice with a healthcare professional.
ethinylestradiol + norethisterone interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines and herbal products because some combinations reduce contraceptive effectiveness or increase other risks.
St John’s wort
May reduce hormone exposure and contraceptive effectiveness; concurrent use should be avoided.
Enzyme-inducing antiseizure medicines, including carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, oxcarbazepine and topiramate
Can accelerate hormone metabolism and reduce contraceptive protection, requiring specialist contraception advice.
Rifampicin, rifabutin, some HIV medicines, griseofulvin and modafinil
May reduce contraceptive effectiveness; an alternative or additional method may be required.
Common questions about ethinylestradiol + norethisterone
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is it used for?
The selected Brevinor product is licensed as an oral contraceptive to prevent pregnancy.
What if I vomit or have severe diarrhoea?
Absorption and contraceptive protection may be reduced. Follow the leaflet and obtain professional advice.
Can it be taken with food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.