Does Ortho Micronor (norethindrone) cause side effects?
Ortho Micronor (norethindrone) is a progestin used as an oral contraceptive for the prevention of pregnancy.
Common side effects of Ortho Micronor include
- menstrual irregularity (frequent and irregular bleeding, long bleeding episodes, missed periods, delayed periods, heavy periods),
- headache,
- breast tenderness,
- nausea,
- dizziness,
- acne,
- excessive unwanted hair growth,
- weight gain,
- fatigue,
- fluid retention (edema),
- nervousness,
- pain in extremities,
- genital discharge,
- breast pain,
- suppressed lactation, and
- withdrawal bleeding.
Serious side effects of Ortho Micronor include
- depression,
- serious allergic reactions,
- hepatitis,
- yellowing skin and eyes (jaundice),
- ovarian cyst, and
- ectopic pregnancy.
Drug interactions of Ortho Micronor include medications that can decrease the blood levels of Ortho Micronor by increasing its elimination in the liver such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, St. John's wort, and bosentan.
Oral contraceptives such as Ortho Micronor are generally avoided during pregnancy. Use of Ortho Micronor during pregnancy has been associated with masculinization of female infants.
Small amounts of progestin pass into breast milk and are detectable in the infant. Use of birth control pills during such as Ortho Micronor lactation has been associated with decreased milk production. Ortho Micronor may be used by breastfeeding women.
What are the important side effects of Ortho Micronor (norethindrone)?
Common side effects of norethindrone include:
Other possible side effects of norethindrone include:
- Long bleeding episodes
- Lack of menstruation
- Acne
- Hirsutism
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Edema
- Nervousness
- Pain in extremity
- Genital discharge
- Breast pain
- Menstruation delayed
- Suppressed lactation
- Vaginal bleeding
- Heavy menstruation
- Withdrawal bleeding
Possible serious side effects of norethindrone include:
- Depression
- Serious allergic reactions
- Hepatitis
- Jaundice
- Ovarian cyst
- Ectopic pregnancy
Ortho Micronor (norethindrone) side effects list for healthcare professionals
Adverse reactions reported with the use of POPs include:
- Menstrual irregularity is the most frequently reported side effect.
- Frequent and irregular bleeding are common, while long duration of bleeding episodes and amenorrhea are less likely.
- Headache, breast tenderness, nausea, and dizziness are increased among progestin-only oral contraceptive users in some studies.
- Androgenic side effects such as acne, hirsutism, and weight gain occur rarely.
What drugs interact with Ortho Micronor (norethindrone)?
The effectiveness of progestin-only pills is reduced by hepatic enzyme-inducing drugs such as the anticonvulsants phenytoin, carbamazepine, and barbiturates, and the antituberculosis drug rifampin. No significant interaction has been found with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Interactions with Laboratory Tests
The following endocrine tests may be affected by progestin-only oral contraceptive use:
- Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations may be decreased.
- Thyroxine concentrations may be decreased, due to a decrease in thyroid binding globulin (TBG).
Summary
Ortho Micronor (norethindrone) is a progestin used as an oral contraceptive for the prevention of pregnancy. Common side effects of Ortho MicrUse of birth control pills during such as Ortho Micronor lactation has been associated with decreased milk production.onor include menstrual irregularity (frequent and irregular bleeding, long bleeding episodes, missed periods, delayed periods, heavy periods), headache, breast tenderness, nausea, dizziness, acne, excessive unwanted hair growth, weight gain, fatigue, fluid retention (edema), nervousness, pain in extremities, genital discharge, breast pain, suppressed lactation, and withdrawal bleeding. Oral contraceptives such as Ortho Micronor are generally avoided during pregnancy.
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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Professional side effects and drug interactions sections courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.