Norethindrone Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 22, 2024.

Applies to norethindrone: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of norethindrone

Along with its needed effects, norethindrone may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking norethindrone:

More common

• frequent and irregular bleeding
• menstrual changes

Incidence not known

• blindness
• blue-yellow color blindness
• blurred vision
• breast pain
• changes in menstrual period
• changes in vision
• chest tightness
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• confusion
• cough
• dark urine
• decreased vision
• diarrhea
• difficulty with swallowing
• discouragement
• dizziness
• double vision
• eye pain
• fast heartbeat
• feeling sad or empty
• fever
• general tiredness and weakness
• headache
• heavy non-menstrual vaginal bleeding
• hives, itching, or rash
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• light-colored stools
• light vaginal bleeding between regular menstrual periods
• loss of interest or pleasure
• migraine headache
• nausea and vomiting
• numbness of the hands
• pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• stomach pain
• swelling
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes and skin

Other side effects of norethindrone

Some side effects of norethindrone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• breast tenderness
• increased hair growth, especially on the face
• pimples
• weight gain

Incidence not known

• brown, blotchy spots on exposed skin
• enlarged breasts
• loss or thinning of the hair
• mood swings
• nervousness
• weight changes

For healthcare professionals

Applies to norethindrone: compounding powder, oral tablet.

General

The most commonly reported side effects included cycle irregularity, spotting/breakthrough bleeding, and temporary amenorrhea.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Uterine/vaginal bleeding and spotting/breakthrough bleeding, short-lasting amenorrhea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Breast discomfort
• Frequency not reported: Irregular/increased/decreased bleeding/delayed menstruation, change in menstrual flow, menorrhagia, vaginal hemorrhage, cervical secretion alteration, cervical erosions, prolonged anovulation, suppressed lactation, galactorrhea, mastodynia, breast tenderness/enlargement, genital discharge, withdrawal bleeding (on treatment discontinuation), premenstrual-type depression, changes in cervical squamocolumnar junction and secretions^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache
• Frequency not reported: Drowsiness, somnolence, concentration loss, migraine, tremor, cerebral thrombosis and embolism^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reaction, local skin reaction^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bloating
• Frequency not reported: Vomiting, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal disturbance^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Skin disorder
• Frequency not reported: Angioedema, acne, hirsutism, alopecia, rash, pruritus, pruritic rash, melasma, chloasma, urticaria, exacerbation of existing skin conditions, sweating, allergic rash with and without pruritus^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased weight
• Frequency not reported: Increased fasting insulin levels, Cushing's syndrome, decreased glucose tolerance, exacerbation of diabetes mellitus, glycosuria, weight gain/change, change in appetite, fluid retention, increased serum calcium and potassium levels, altered serum lipid and lipoprotein levels (e.g., decreased HDL, increased LDL/HDL ratio)^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity reaction
• Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid reactions^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depressed mood/depression/clinical depression/metal depression
• Frequency not reported: Insomnia, nervousness, libido change, mood swings^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Urge to cough, paroxysmal cough, respiratory distress, dyspnea, pulmonary embolism, voice deepening^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Retinal thrombosis, diabetic cataract, vision disorders, visual disturbance, contact lens intolerance, optic neuritis (may lead to partial or complete vision loss)^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Circulatory irregularity, thromboembolic disorders, thrombophlebitis, increased blood pressure/hypertension, edema^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Cholestatic liver changes/cholestatic jaundice, hepatitis, disturbed liver function, transient liver test abnormalities (e.g., AST, ALT, bilirubin)^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Fever, hyperpyrexia, fatigue, extremity pain^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Increased white cell and platelet counts^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Frequency not reported: Masculinization of the female fetus^[Ref]

Further information

Norethindrone side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer