Noriday

What are Noriday Contraceptive Pills?

Noriday is a branded progesterone-only or mini pill which contains norethisterone and is used to prevent pregnancy. Each tablet contains 350 micrograms (mcg) of the synthetic progestogen norethisterone. It does not contain oestrogen, making it a suitable alternative for people who get side effects from or cannot take the combined pill. Noriday is manufactured by the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer.

How Does Noriday Work to Prevent Pregnancy?

There are several ways that norethisterone provides protection from unwanted pregnancy:

• Thickens cervical mucus: Noriday’s primary mechanism of action is to thicken the fluid in the cervix, making it more difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach an egg
• Reduces womb lining thickness: Making the lining of the womb (endometrium) thinner means that a fertilised egg would have more trouble implanting itself into the womb’s wall
• Hinders tubal mobility: Norethisterone also limits the motility (ability of something to move independently using metabolic energy) of the fallopian tubes, thereby slowing down the transportation of an egg

Mini-pills such as Noriday can also sometimes prevent ovulation, the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries, though this is not guaranteed. The medication’s contraceptive effectiveness instead relies on how it affects the womb lining, cervical mucus, and tubal mobility. This makes progesterone-only tablets different to combined contraception, which consistently suppresses ovulation.

It’s important to note that no pill, combined or progesterone-only, can protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms are the most reliable method of contraception to keep yourself and your partners protected from STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis.

How Long Does it Take for Noriday to Work?

For protection from pregnancy, it’s recommended to start Noriday birth control pills on day 1 of your period (when you first notice a bleed) and use extra forms of contraceptives, such as spermicide, a cap, or condoms, until you have correctly taken Noriday for 7 consecutive days. 

How Effective is Noriday at Preventing Pregnancy?

All mini pills, including Noriday, are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when they are taken perfectly. However, when typical use, such as forgetting pills and illness, including sickness and diarrhoea, is taken into consideration, they are closer to being 91% effective.

That means that 9 out of 100 Noriday users will become pregnant each year. Taking your pills on time and following the proper guidance for a missed pill can increase the effectiveness of Noriday.

How to Take Noriday Pills

Beginning on the first day of your period, Noriday (Norethisterone) is taken once daily at the same time for as long as the contraception is required. The pack is marked with the days of the week to help you remember to take your tablets.

Take one pill every day and follow the arrows on the pack as you go. Once you’ve finished a pack, start a new one the very next day. There must be no breaks between packs, which makes Noriday different to some combined contraceptive pills that require a 7-day pill-free break.  

Upon starting, additional contraceptive measures such as condoms should be used for 7 days, as the maximum contraceptive effect is achieved after this time.

Norethisterone-containing tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, taking care not to crush or chew them. They can also be taken with or without food. Because consistency is paramount to protecting against pregnancy, you must take Noriday pills around the same time each day. Therefore, you might want to take them alongside a meal, such as breakfast, if you have a regular routine.

If you are three or more hours late in taking your pill, follow the Noriday missed pill guidance below. 

What to Do If You’re Changing to Noriday From Another Contraceptive

If you are switching from a combined pill or another mini pill brand to Noriday, you should start the new Noriday pack the day after the last active pill in your previous pack, without a break. You should use an additional method of contraception, like condoms, for seven days, to ensure you are fully protected.

If you are switching from another hormonal contraception method, such as the injection or implant, speak to your clinician about the safest way to start Noriday.

Noriday Missed Pill Guidance

If you miss a dose within 3 hours of the correct time, take the missed pill immediately and continue your regular dosage. In this case, you should remain protected.

If you miss a dose by more than 3 hours, you may not be protected from getting pregnant. Take the missed pill and continue your regular dosage at the usual time, even if this means having two tablets in one day. You should also use additional methods of contraception for 7 days.

If you have any concerns, our doctors are available to provide expert, one-to-one advice.

What if I Take Too Many Noriday Tablets?

If you accidentally take one more pill than you should, it is unlikely to cause you harm. However, you should contact a doctor immediately if you or someone else swallows a lot of the pills.

What if I Am Sick or Have an Upset Stomach When Taking Noriday?

If you are sick or have diarrhoea while taking Noriday, it may not be fully absorbed into your system, which could make it less effective. Continue to take your pills as normal, but use extra contraception while you are ill and for the next 7 days after you feel better.

Speak to a clinician because you may need emergency contraception.

Noriday Side Effects and Cautions

As with all medications, Noriday may not be suitable for you. Before you take Noriday (Norethisterone) tablets, we strongly encourage you to familiarise yourself with the Patient Information Leaflet enclosed with the medication or contact your clinician for advice.  

Noriday Pill Side Effects

Every medicine has the potential to cause side effects, even though you might not experience them. It's essential to be vigilant for any adverse effects associated with the treatment you are taking and report them to your clinician if you notice anything.

Possible Noriday side effects include:

• Anxiety
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in sex drive
• Changes in weight
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• High blood pressure
• Irregular periods
• Migraine
• Rash
• Stomach ache
• Swollen or sore breasts

It’s important to note that the above is not an exhaustive list of Noriday pill side effects. More information can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet.

You can report any Noriday side effects, including those not listed in the patient information leaflet, to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) Yellow Card Scheme. By reporting your side effects, you can help provide more information about the safety of Noriday.

Noriday and Blood Clots

Unlike combined pills, mini pills, like Noriday, are not linked with an increased risk of blood clots because they do not contain oestrogen. However, if you have a history of blood clots, you must let your clinician know before starting Noriday so they can assess whether it is safe for you to take it.

Noriday may be a suitable contraceptive option for you if you are over 35 and smoke, because these two factors significantly increase the risk of blood clots and heart attacks if you take the combined pill. This is not the same for the mini pill, although it is recommended that you avoid smoking because of the risks to your health.

Noriday Breast Cancer Risk

Noriday is associated with a small increased risk of breast cancer. When you stop taking the pill, after 10 years, the risk of getting breast cancer is the same as for someone who has never taken the pill.

The risk of finding breast cancer is not affected by how long you take Noriday for, but by the age at which you stop taking it, because the risk of breast cancer increases with age.

For every 10,000 people who take a progesterone-only pill for 5 years and then stop taking it, the increased risk of developing breast cancer within the next 10 years increases with age, as shown in the table below:
 

 If you are concerned about the link between Noriday and breast cancer, speak to your clinician for advice.

Noriday Warnings and Interactions

Noriday may not be suitable for everyone, as certain health conditions and medications can interact with norethisterone, reducing its effectiveness. That’s why it is important to tell the clinician about your medical history, so they can assess if Noriday is safe for you.

Noriday may not be safe if you have any of the following:

• Current or previous history of Breast, Vaginal or hormone-dependent Cancer
• Current or previous history of Blood Clots (including Family History)
• Current or previous history of Liver issues
• Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure.

Please notify our online doctor if you have diabetes, suffer from migraines or epilepsy, as further tests may be required to ensure norethisterone is suitable for you.

Noriday Interactions

During your online consultation, please inform our prescribers of all the medications you are currently taking. This includes medicines prescribed to you or bought over the counter, as well as health and herbal supplements.

Do not take Noriday (Norethisterone) before notifying our clinicians if you are on any of the following:

• Carbamazepine and its derivatives
• Phenytoin
• Antiretrovirals
• St. John's Wort
• Topiramate
• Rifampicin.

If you are unsure whether Noriday is suitable for you, consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Allergic Reactions

You should not take Noriday if you are allergic to norethisterone or any of the ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet supplied with the medicine.

Allergic reactions can vary in severity, but symptoms may include:

• A feeling of tightness in the chest
• Dry, inflamed or cracked skin
• Itchy, watery, or red eyes
• A raised, itchy skin rash (often referred to as hives)
• Swelling affecting the lips, tongue, face, or eyes
• Digestive symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing

Noriday also contains lactose. If you have been advised by a healthcare professional that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, speak to your doctor before starting this medication.

If you develop any signs of an allergic reaction after taking norethisterone, stop taking the tablets immediately and seek urgent medical help. Attend your nearest Accident & Emergency department and take the medication packaging, along with any remaining tablets, so healthcare professionals can identify what you have taken and provide appropriate treatment. 

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not take Noriday if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant. If you miss two periods in a row while taking Noriday, inform your doctor or ask a pharmacist, as you may be pregnant. Take a pregnancy test before continuing to take Noriday.

If you become pregnant while taking this pill, inform your doctor straight away. There is a slightly increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that develops outside of the womb) while taking Noriday if you do become pregnant while taking it.

You are able to breastfeed while taking Noriday mini pills, but it is recommended to start doing so several weeks after giving birth. This is because it’s better for the baby if its mother’s milk doesn’t contain traces of any medication for the first few weeks (including Noriday). 

Frequently Asked Questions About Noriday Pills

Sources

• EMC (2023): Noriday 350 microgram Tablets.
• EMC (2023): Patient Information Leaflet. 
• CoSRH (2023): FSRH Clinical Guideline: Progestogen-only Pills (August 2022, amended July 2023).
• NHS (2024). How well contraception works at preventing pregnancy.
• NHS (2024). What to do if you’re sick or have diarrhoea when taking the progestogen-only pill.
• BMJ (2000): Ectopic pregnancy with oral contraceptive use has been overlooked.
• Cochrane Library (2016): Progestin‐only contraceptives: effects on weight.