Aygestin (Norethindrone)

General information

Aygestin is a form of progesterone, a female hormone. Its main component is Norethindrone. It prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). This medication also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus. It is used for birth control (contraception) to prevent pregnancy. This medication is used to treat women with abnormal bleeding from the uterus. It is also used to treat women who have stopped having menstrual periods for several months (amenorrhea) but who are not pregnant or going through menopause. It is not effective in preventing miscarriages.

Directions

Take Aygestin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medication by mouth. You may take it with food or after a meal to prevent stomach upset. For the treatment of stopped menstrual periods and abnormal bleeding from the uterus, this drug is usually taken once daily for 5-10 days during the second half of the planned menstrual cycle or as directed by your doctor. Withdrawal bleeding usually occurs within 3-7 days after you stop taking the medication. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

Precautions

Before taking Aygestin you should talk with your doctor if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, migraines, kidney disease, liver disease, liver cancer, depression, high cholesterol or triglycide (fatty acid) levels in your blood, asthma, seizures or epilepsy. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Taking hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, especially if you smoke and are older than 35. Do not smoke. Smoking combined with this medication further increases your risk for strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, and heart attacks. Aygestin will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.

Contraindications

You should not take Aygestin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, are allergic to norethindrone, or if you have stroke, blood clot, circulation problems, breast cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, miscarriage or abortion.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have sudden numbness, weakness, swelling in your hands or feet, sudden headache, mood changes, confusion, pain behind the eyes, chest pain, problems with vision, speech, or balance, rapid weight gain, sleep problems, pelvic pain, vomiting, stomach pain, nausea, sweating, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), hives, loss of appetite, dark urine, dizziness, difficulty breathing, skin itching or rash, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, vaginal itching or discharge, increased acne or hair growth, changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: HIV medicines (atazanavir, saquinavir, indinavir, ritonavir, fosamprenavir), barbiturates (butabarbital, secobarbital, phenobarbital, amobarbital), antifungal medications (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole), rifamycin antibiotics (rifapentine, rifampin, rifabutin), griseofulvin. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are severe nausea, vomiting, vaginal bleeding.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.