PRIMOLUT N

5 mg tablets
(norethisterone)

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it
contains important information for you.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It
may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side
effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Primolut N is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Primolut N
3. How to take Primolut N
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Primolut N
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Primolut N is and what it is used for
Primolut N contains norethisterone, which belongs to a group of medicines called
progestogens, which are female hormones.
Primolut N can be used in several different circumstances:
R to treat irregular, painful or heavy periods
R to treat endometriosis (where tissue from the lining of the womb is present in places
where it is not normally found)
R to treat premenstrual syndrome (also known as premenstrual tension, PMS or PMT)
R to delay periods

85996428_01.indd 1

1.3.2

if you suffer from migraine, asthma, or kidney problems
if you suffer from epilepsy (see “Other medicines and Primolut N”)
if you have an inflammation of your veins (superficial phlebitis)
if you have varicose veins
if anyone in your immediate family has had breast cancer
if you have previously had a condition called chloasma where the skin on your face may
develop brownish blotches. You may be advised to avoid exposure to the sun and to
ultraviolet light while you are taking Primolut N
R if you have previously suffered from depression
R if you or someone in your close family has ever had high blood levels of cholesterol or
triglycerides (fatty substances)
R if you have a disease of the liver or gall bladder
R if you have certain rare medical conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),
sickle cell disease, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
R if you have haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)
R if you have a condition that occurred for the first time or worsened during pregnancy or
previous use of sex hormones (e.g. hearing loss, porphyria, or Sydenham‘s chorea)
R if you have hereditary angioedema. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience
symptoms of angioedema such as swollen face, tongue or throat, and/or difficulty
swallowing, or hives, together with difficulty breathing. Products containing oestrogens
may induce or worsen symptoms of angioedema
R if you have an intolerance to some types of sugar (galactose intolerance, Lapp
lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption)
R if you are using other medications as mentioned in “Other Medicines and Primolut N”.
J Tell your doctor before you take Primolut N if any of these applies to you. Also tell your
doctor if any of these conditions develop or worsen while you are taking Primolut N,
because you may need to stop taking it.
Primolut N and blood clots:
The main ingredient in Primolut N (progestogen) is partly converted into oestrogen so you
should also consider the general warnings given for combined oral contraceptive pills (“the
Pill”).
Do not take Primolut N if you have a blood clot or have any medical condition which makes
you more at risk of developing clots.
The risk of blood clots occurring in the veins and arteries is slightly greater in women who
take the combined oral contraceptive pill than in women who don’t. People do not always
fully recover from such blood clots, which can cause strokes, heart attacks and bleeding into
the brain (subarachnoid haemorrhage). In very rare cases these blood clots can be fatal.
You are more at risk of having a blood clot:
R as you get older
R if you’re off your feet for a long time because of major surgery, injury or illness.
R if you smoke
R if you or any of your close family have had blood clots
R if you are overweight (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2)
R
R
R
R
R
R

if you have a disorder of blood fat (lipid) metabolism
if you have a blood disorder
if you have high blood pressure
if you suffer from migraines
if you have a heart valve disorder or a particular type of irregular heartbeat (atrial
fibrillation)
R if you have recently had a baby
R if you have diabetes
R if you have certain medical conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),
sickle cell disease, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
J Tell your doctor if any of these apply to you. Taking Primolut N may add to this risk so
it may not be suitable for you.
To reduce the risk of blood clots, treatment with Primolut N must be stopped:
R six weeks before any planned major operation
R before any surgery to the legs
R before medical treatment for varicose veins
R if you are going to be immobilised for a long time (e.g. if you need bed-rest after an
accident or operation, or if you have a plaster cast on a broken leg)
Signs of a blood clot include:
R a migraine for the first time or one that is worse than normal
R unusually frequent or severe headaches
R any sudden changes to your eyesight (such as loss of vision or blurred vision)
R any sudden changes to your hearing, speech, sense of smell, taste or touch
R pain or swelling in your leg
R stabbing pain when you breathe
R coughing for no apparent reason
R breathlessness
R pain and tightness in the chest
R sudden weakness or numbness in one side or part of your body
R dizziness or fainting.
J See a doctor as soon as possible if you notice any possible signs of blood clot. Do not
take any more Primolut N until your doctor says you can.
Primolut N and cancer
If you have breast cancer, or have had it in the past, you should not take combined oral
contraceptives (the Pill). The Pill slightly increases your risk of breast cancer. This risk goes up
the longer you’re on it, but returns to normal within about 10 years of stopping it. Because
breast cancer is rare in women under the age of 40, the extra cases of breast cancer in current
and recent Pill users is small. For example:
R Of 10,000 women who have never taken the Pill, about 16 will have breast cancer by the
time they are 35 years old.

R
R
R
R
R

J Please turn over

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1

Digital unterschrieben von Peter Wittmuetz
DN: o=Bayer Business Services,
email=peter.wittmuetz@bayer.com,
cn=Peter Wittmuetz
Datum: 2017.07.26 07:46:30 +02'00'

Primolut® N

2. What you need to know before you take Primolut N
R Your doctor will discuss your medical and family history with you. Your doctor will also
need to check your blood pressure and make sure you are not pregnant. You may also
need additional checks, such as a breast examination, that will be specific to your medical
needs and/or concerns.
Do not take Primolut N:
R if you are allergic to norethisterone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
(listed in section 6)
R if you are pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant
R if you are breast-feeding
or:
R if you have ever had a problem with your blood circulation. This includes a blood clot
(thrombosis) in the legs (deep vein thrombosis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), heart (heart
attack), brain (stroke) or any other parts of the body
R if you have any symptoms of a blood clot, such as chest pain, unexplained and often
sudden shortness of breath and/or cough
R if you have any condition which makes you more at risk of a blood clot (thrombosis)
R if you have ever suffered migraine with visual disturbance
R if you have (or are recovering from) a liver disease and the blood tests show that your
liver is not yet working normally
R if you have (or have ever had) liver tumours
R if you have diabetes with damaged blood vessels
R if you have any type of cancer which might be made worse by exposure to female
sex hormones (including breast cancer)
R if you have problems with genital bleeding for which the cause is not yet known
R if you have a condition called endometrial hyperplasia which has not been treated.
In addition, do not take Primolut N if you have had any of the following conditions when you
were pregnant:
R yellowing of the skin (idiopathic jaundice of pregnancy)
R itching of the whole body (pruritus of pregnancy)
J Tell your doctor if any of these apply to you and do not take Primolut N.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Primolut N
R if you smoke
R if you have diabetes. Primolut N can produce changes in blood sugar levels. If you are
diabetic, your doctor will check your blood sugar before starting treatment and regularly
during treatment
R if you are overweight (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2)
R if you have high blood pressure
R if you have a heart valve disorder or a certain heart rhythm disorder (heart problems)
R if you have had a thrombosis/embolism or anyone in your close family has had a
thrombosis, a heart attack or a stroke at a young age

Peter
Wittmuetz

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Packaging Technology Berlin sgqwx
page 1
Bayer AG
client: JS86
material-no.: 85996428
PZ: 2598F-4
code-no.: 36
name: LF-Primolut N 5MG TAB GB
country: GB/-/BAG
colors: Black
version: 21.07.2017/01
Restricted Document
dimension: 420 x 160 mm

This area must be identical on both sides!

85996428_01.indd 2

7/21/2017 11:23:26 AM
Packaging Technology Berlin sgqwx
page 2
Bayer AG
client: JS86
material-no.: 85996428
PZ: 2598F-4
code-no.: 36
name: LF-Primolut N 5MG TAB GB
country: GB/-/BAG
colors: Black
version: 21.07.2017/01
Restricted Document
dimension: 420 x 160 mm

1.3.2

R Of 10,000 women who take the Pill for 5 years in their early twenties, about 17–18 will
have breast cancer by the time they are 35 years old.
R Of 10,000 women who have never taken the Pill, about 100 will have breast cancer by
the time they are 45 years old.
R Of 10,000 women who take the Pill for 5 years in their early thirties, about 110 will
have breast cancer by the time they are 45 years old.
Your risk of breast cancer is higher if:
R you have a close relative (mother, sister or grandmother) who has had breast cancer
R you are overweight (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2)
J See a doctor as soon as possible if you notice any changes in your breasts, such as
dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple or any lumps you can see or feel.
Very rarely, the Pill has been linked with some forms of liver cancer in women who take it for
a long time. These may lead to bleeding in the abdomen.
Taking the Pill has also been linked to liver diseases, such as jaundice and non-cancerous
liver tumours, but this is rare.
J See a doctor as soon as possible if you get severe pain in your stomach that does not
go away, or yellow skin or eyes (jaundice). You may need to stop taking Primolut N.
Other medicines and Primolut N
J Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Some medicines may affect the way Primolut N works. Tell your doctor if you are taking:
R Phenytoin, oxcarbazepine, primidone or carbamazepine. These drugs are often used to
treat epilepsy.
R Sedative drugs called barbiturates.
R The antibiotic drugs rifampicin or rifabutin.
R An antifungal drug called griseofulvin.
R St John’s wort to treat depression.
Some other medicines may be affected by Primolut N. Tell your doctor if you are taking a drug
called ciclosporin which is often used after an organ transplant.
Taking Primolut N can affect the results of some blood and urine tests. Tell your doctor that
you are taking Primolut N if you are asked to provide a blood or urine sample.
Other things you should know:
Once you have finished taking a course of Primolut N, you will usually have a menstrual
bleed (period) 2-3 days after taking your last tablet. If you do not have a period, you must
make sure that you are not pregnant before taking any more tablets.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Do not take Primolut N if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If you think you may be
pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this
medicine.
Driving and using machines
Primolut N is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use machines.

This area must be identical on both sides!

Primolut N contains lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact
your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

3. How to take Primolut N
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your
doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The number of tablets that you need to take and the number of days per month when you
need to take them will depend on why the doctor has prescribed Primolut N. A common
dosage would be 2-3 tablets each day. For some conditions Primolut N has to be taken every
day, but this is not always the case.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist, if you are not sure about the number of tablets that you need
to take, when they should be taken or how long you should take them for.
Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water.
If you take more Primolut N than you should
Taking too many tablets is unlikely to cause serious problems. If you take too many, contact
your doctor who will tell you what to do.
If you forget to take Primolut N
If you forget a dose, wait until it is time to take the next prescribed dose. Do not take the
missed dose. If you are worried, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Reasons for stopping Primolut N immediately:
Stop taking Primolut N and speak to your doctor immediately if you experience any of the
following:
R migraine for the first time
R unusually bad headaches, occurring more often than before
R sudden changes to your eyesight, hearing or speech
R sudden changes to your senses of smell, taste or touch
R symptoms of blood clot formation or symptoms of inflammation of the veins combined
with the formation of blood clots (thrombophlebitis):
P unusual pains in your leg(s)
P unusual swelling of your arms or legs
P sharp pains in your chest or sudden shortness of breath
P crushing pains or feelings of heaviness or tightness in your chest
P coughing for no apparent reason
P one side of your body suddenly becoming very weak or numb

Primolut N must also be stopped immediately if:
R you become pregnant
R you develop jaundice or other liver problems
R you develop itching (pruritus)
R your doctor finds that your blood pressure is too high
General side effects:
Side effects that have been reported with Primolut N are listed below according to the
frequency with which they occur.
Very common side effects
(These may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
R Vaginal bleeding, including spotting.
R Periods that are much shorter than normal and where blood flow is reduced.
Common side effects
(These may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
R Headache
R Feeling sick (nausea)
R Absence of a period
R Swelling
Uncommon side effects
(These may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
R Migraine
Rare side effects
(These may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
R Allergic reactions including skin rash or “hives”
Very rare side effects
(These may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
R Visual disturbances
R Difficulty in breathing
Other side effects
(Frequency not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
R Worsening of depression
R Dizziness
R Abdominal pain
R Jaundice
R Cholestasis

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side
effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly (see details below). By
reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
United Kingdom
Yellow Card Scheme
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
Malta
ADR Reporting
Website: www.medicinesauthority.gov.mt/adrportal

5. How to store Primolut N
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store in the original carton.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on both the outer carton and on
each blister strip of tablets after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist
how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the
environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Primolut N contains
Each tablet contains 5 mg of the active ingredient, norethisterone. The other ingredients are
lactose, maize starch and magnesium stearate (E572).
What Primolut N looks like and contents of the pack
Each pack contains 30 tablets (3 foil blister packs containing 10 tablets each). Each white
tablet has ‘AN’ embossed in a regular hexagon on one side.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder:
Bayer plc
400 South Oak Way
Reading
RG2 6AD
United Kingdom
Manufacturers:
Bayer AG, Mullerstrasse 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
or
Bayer Weimar GmbH & Co. KG, 99427 Weimar, Germany
This leaflet was last revised in August 2017.
Product licence number:
PL 00010/0553
85996428

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