Norimin

Norimin is a combined oral contraceptive pill that’s used to prevent pregnancy. It contains 0.035mg of ethinylestradiol and 1mg of norethisterone, synthetic forms of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. When taken perfectly, Norimin is more than 99% effective at stopping pregnancy from occurring.

As well as being an effective birth control method, combined pills, including Norimin, can help to regulate heavy, painful periods and acne. However, at Asda Online Doctor, we only prescribe Norimin as a type of oral contraception and not to treat other conditions.

Norimin prevents pregnancy by:

1. Stopping the release of an egg from the ovaries each month (ovulation).
2. Thickening the mucus in the cervix, making it much harder for sperm to enter the womb.
3. Thinning the lining of the womb, making it difficult for a fertilised egg to implant.

How long does it take until Norimin is effective?

Norimin will be effective immediately if it is started on days 1 to 5 of your period. If you start it after day 5, you’ll need to use an alternative method of contraception, like condoms, for 7 days until it is effective.

How effective is the Norimin contraceptive pill?

When taken perfectly, combined pills, like Norimin, are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, when typical use is considered, the effectiveness drops to 91%. Typical use includes:

• illness such as being sick or having diarrhoea
• forgetting to take the pill
• timing errors

Each Norimin pill should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, and it can be taken with or without food.

Norimin pills come in 21-day strips, which means you should take 1 tablet each day, at the same time of day. When you have finished the strip, stop taking Norimin for 7 days if you have a pill-free break.

During this pill-free break, you should get a withdrawal bleed similar to your period. After 7 days, start a new strip, even if you are still bleeding. If you take the pill correctly, you will always start the new strip on the same day of the week.

You can also take Norimin by:

• taking 3 pill packets in a row, then having a 4-day break before starting this cycle again (tricycling)
• taking it continuously, having no breaks (this may stop your periods altogether)

When should I take Norimin?

Norimin can be taken at any time of the day, but you should pick a time that is easy for you to remember because you need to take your pill around the same time each day.

How much Norimin should I take?

You should take 1 Norimin pill every day for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break.

When to take Norimin for the first time

If you are taking Norimin for the first time, it is best to start taking it on days 1 to 5 of your period. That way, you will be immediately protected from pregnancy.

If you forget to take a Norimin pill, this table explains what to do next to remain protected from pregnancy:

Like all medications, Norimin can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.

Norimin side effects include:

• feeling sick
• stomach upset
• weight gain
• appetite changes
• changes in the way your body breaks down sugars, fats, or vitamins
• headache
• high blood pressure
• depression
• swollen or sore breasts
• changes in your sex drive
• worsening of womb disorders
• irregular vaginal bleeding

Taking any medications can leave you susceptible to side effects, but you can find a complete list in the patient information leaflet that is supplied with your medication.

How long do Norimin side effects last?

Most Norimin side effects will improve once your body gets used to the medication, usually within 3 months.

If you’re still getting side effects after 3 months or you’re finding them difficult to manage, contact your doctor. They may advise that you stop taking Norimin and suggest an alternative contraceptive method.

What to do if you get Norimin side effects

Most mild Norimin side effects can be managed at home by:

• getting plenty of rest until side effects like feeling sick, headaches, and cramps, have passed
• taking painkillers to relieve discomfort from headaches, aches, and cramps
• staying hydrated to manage symptoms like feeling sick and headaches

If you are still getting side effects after 3 months, contact your doctor for advice.

If you get any of the following serious side effects, you must call 999 as they could be signs of a severe allergic reaction:

• sudden wheeziness
• breathing difficulties
• chest pain
• fever
• sudden swellings
• rash or itching

Norimin may not be suitable for everyone.

Do not take Norimin if you:

• are allergic to norethisterone, ethinylestradiol, or any of the other ingredients in Norimin
• are currently pregnant
• have ever had a blood clot
• or a member of your family has ever had a problem with blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis
• have had inflammation of a vein caused by a blood clot
• have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• have had or currently have angina
• have or have had high levels of fat in your blood
• have or have had cancer of the breast, cervix, vagina, or womb
• have had pruritus, jaundice, or pemphigoid gestationis during pregnancy
• have or have had severe chronic liver disease
• have or have had unexplained vaginal bleeding
• have or have had bad migraines
• have hepatitis C and are taking medication for it

Before taking Norimin, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

• migraine
• headaches
• slow or sudden vision changes
• asthma
• epilepsy
• cardiovascular disease
• high blood pressure
• kidney disease
• multiple sclerosis
• tetany
• breast problems
• varicose veins
• liver dysfunction
• severe depression
• fibroids in your womb
• irregular periods
• sharp pain in your abdomen
• gallstones
• sickle-cell anaemia
• otosclerosis
• porphyria
• chloasma
• angioedema or any of its symptoms (swollen face, tongue, or throat, difficulty swallowing, hives, and difficulty breathing)

Combined pills, like Norimin, can slightly increase the chances of getting a blood clot. The overall risk is small, but it is important to tell your doctor if you or any member of your family has ever had a blood clot..

If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking Norimin and contact your doctor straight away, as these could be signs of a blood clot:

• coughing up blood
• swelling or tenderness in your stomach
• sudden, sharp pain in your chest
• sudden shortness of breath or finding breathing difficult
• painful or inflamed veins in your legs
• first migraine attack
• migraines that get worse
• sudden and unusual severe headaches
• dizziness or fainting
• problems with your sight or speech
• angioedema symptoms

The risk of breast and cervical cancer also increases slightly when taking the combined pill. You should let your doctor know if you have a family history of breast or cervical cancer. There is more information on cancer risk and protection when taking combined oral contraceptives in the patient information leaflet.

Norimin and other medications

Before taking Norimin, tell your doctor if you are currently taking or plan to take any prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medications. The following medications can affect the effectiveness of Norimin:

• herbal remedies – St John’s wort
• epilepsy medications – carbamazepine, oxacarbazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, and topiramate
• HIV medications – nelfinavir, nevirapine, and ritonavir
• bacterial infection medications – rifabutin, and rifampicin
• fungal infection medications – griseofulvin
• narcolepsy medications – modafinil

You must not take Norimin if you have hepatitis C and are taking any medications that contain the following:

• ombitasvir
• paritaprevir
• ritonavir
• dasabuvir
• glecaprevir
• pibrentasvir
• sofosbuvir
• velpatasvir
• voxilaprevir

Norimin is a prescription-only medication that requires a doctor’s approval before you can obtain it. However, it is available privately from online doctor services and may be available on the NHS.

Can I buy Norimin online?

Yes, you can buy Norimin online from reputable online doctor services, like Asda Online Doctor by ZAVA.

To request Norimin, you will need to:

1. Complete a short online health assessment for one of our doctors to review.
2. Place your order request.
3. If approved, your order will be dispatched and sent to your home address in discreet packaging, or you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after a doctor’s approval.
4. If your order is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Can I buy Norimin over the counter?

No, Norimin is a prescription-only medication, so it cannot be bought over the counter.

Can I get Norimin on the NHS?

Yes, Norimin is available on the NHS, but you will need to make an appointment with your doctor or visit a sexual health clinic to get it.

If Norimin is not suitable for you, then there are several alternative combined contraceptive pills available that may be right for you. Some examples that work in the same way as Normin, but contain different synthetic hormones, include:

• Microgynon 30
• Rigevidon
• Yasmin
• Gedarel
• Cilique

Brevinor is similar to Norimin because it contains the same active ingredients. However, Brevinor contains 0.5mg of norethisterone, whereas Norimin contains 1mg.

Alternatively, the progesterone-only or mini pill may be suitable for you, especially if you cannot or choose not to take oestrogen. Popular mini pills include:

• Cerelle
• Cerazette
• Noriday
• Norgeston

➤ Read our guide to find out more about choosing the right contraceptive pill for you.

If you prefer not to take hormonal contraception, barrier methods like condoms, diaphragms, and caps may be a better birth control method, while the copper coil is also an effective option.