Drug Detail:Ortho micronor (Norethindrone [ nor-eth-in-drone ])
Drug Class: Contraceptives Progestins
Warnings
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular disease. Women who use oral contraceptives should be strongly advised not to smoke.
ORTHO MICRONOR® does not contain estrogen and, therefore, this insert does not discuss the serious health risks that have been associated with the estrogen component of combined oral contraceptives (COCs). The healthcare professional is referred to the prescribing information of combined oral contraceptives for a discussion of those risks. The relationship between progestin-only oral contraceptives and these risks is not fully defined. The healthcare professional should remain alert to the earliest manifestation of symptoms of any serious disease and discontinue oral contraceptive therapy when appropriate.
Precautions
DETAILED PATIENT LABELING ORTHO MICRONOR® (norethindrone) Tablets
This product (like all oral contraceptives) is used to prevent pregnancy. It does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases.
DESCRIPTION
ORTHO MICRONOR® Tablets
Each tablet contains 0.35 mg norethindrone. Inactive ingredients include D&C Green No. 5, D&C Yellow No. 10, lactose, magnesium stearate, modified corn starch, and povidone.
INTRODUCTION
This leaflet is about birth control pills that contain one hormone, a progestin. Please read this leaflet before you begin to take your pills. It is meant to be used along with talking with your healthcare professional.
Progestin-only pills are often called "POPs" or "the minipill." POPs have less progestin than the combined birth control pill (or "the pill") which contains both an estrogen and a progestin.
HOW EFFECTIVE ARE POPs?
About 1 in 200 POP users will get pregnant in the first year if they all take POPs perfectly (that is, on time, every day). About 1 in 20 "typical" POP users (including women who are late taking pills or miss pills) gets pregnant in the first year of use. Table 2 will help you compare the efficacy of different methods.
% of Women Experiencing an Unintended Pregnancy within the First Year of Use | % of Women Continuing Use at One Year* | ||
---|---|---|---|
Method (1) | Typical Use†
(2) | Perfect Use‡
(3) | (4) |
Emergency Contraception: Emergency contraceptive pills or insertion of a copper intrauterine contraceptive after unprotected intercourse substantially reduces the risk of pregnancy.§ (See Chapter 6.). | |||
Lactational Amenorrhea Method: LAM is a highly effective, temporary method of contraception.¶ (See Chapter 18.) | |||
Source: Trussell J. Contraceptive Efficacy. In Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Nelson AL, Cates W, Kowal D, Policar M. Contraceptive Techology: Twentieth Revised Edition. New York NY: Ardent Media, 2011. | |||
Notes: | |||
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No method# | 85 | 85 | |
SpermicidesÞ | 28 | 18 | 42 |
Fertility awareness-based methods | 24 | 47 | |
Standard Days methodß | 5 | ||
TwoDay methodß | 4 | ||
Ovulation methodß | 3 | ||
Symptothermal methodß | 0.4 | ||
Withdrawal | 22 | 4 | 46 |
Sponge | 36 | ||
Parous women | 24 | 20 | |
Nulliparous women | 12 | 9 | |
Condomà | |||
Female (fc) | 21 | 5 | 41 |
Male | 18 | 2 | 43 |
Diaphragmè | 12 | 6 | 57 |
Combined pill and progestin-only pill | 9 | 0.3 | 67 |
norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol patch | 9 | 0.3 | 67 |
NuvaRing | 9 | 0.3 | 67 |
Depo-Provera | 6 | 0.2 | 56 |
Intrauterine contraceptives | |||
ParaGard (copper T) | 0.8 | 0.6 | 78 |
Mirena (LNg) | 0.2 | 0.2 | 80 |
Implanon | 0.05 | 0.05 | 84 |
Female sterilization | 0.5 | 0.5 | 100 |
Male sterilization | 0.15 | 0.10 | 100 |
ORTHO MICRONOR® Tablets have not been studied for and are not indicated for use in emergency contraception.
HOW DO POPs WORK?
POPs can prevent pregnancy in different ways including:
- They make the cervical mucus at the entrance to the womb (the uterus) too thick for the sperm to get through to the egg.
- They prevent ovulation (release of the egg from the ovary) in about half of the cycles.
- They also affect other hormones, the fallopian tubes and the lining of the uterus.
YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE POPs
- If there is any chance you may be pregnant.
- If you have breast cancer.
- If you have bleeding between your periods that has not been diagnosed.
- If you are hypersensitive, or allergic, to any component of this product.
- If you have liver tumors, either benign or cancerous.
- If you have acute liver disease.
RISKS OF TAKING POPs
Cigarette smoking greatly increases the possibility of suffering heart attacks and strokes. Women who use oral contraceptives are strongly advised not to smoke.
WARNING:
If you have sudden or severe pain in your lower abdomen or stomach area, you may have an ectopic pregnancy or an ovarian cyst. If this happens, you should contact your healthcare professional immediately.
Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy outside the womb. Because POPs protect against pregnancy, the chance of having a pregnancy outside the womb is very low. If you do get pregnant while taking POPs, you have a slightly higher chance that the pregnancy will be ectopic than do users of some other birth control methods.
Ovarian Cysts
These cysts are small sacs of fluid in the ovary. They are more common among POP users than among users of most other birth control methods. They usually disappear without treatment and rarely cause problems.
Cancer of the Reproductive Organs and Breasts
Some studies in women who use combined oral contraceptives that contain both estrogen and a progestin have reported an increase in the risk of developing breast cancer, particularly at a younger age and apparently related to duration of use. There is insufficient data to determine whether the use of POPs similarly increases this risk.
A meta-analysis of 54 studies found a small increase in the frequency of having breast cancer diagnosed for women who were currently using combined oral contraceptives or had used them within the past ten years. This increase in the frequency of breast cancer diagnosis, within ten years of stopping use, was generally accounted for by cancers localized to the breast. There was no increase in the frequency of having breast cancer diagnosed ten or more years after cessation of use.
Some studies have found an increase in the incidence of cancer of the cervix in women who use oral contraceptives. However, this finding may be related to factors other than the use of oral contraceptives and there is insufficient data to determine whether the use of POPs increases the risk of developing cancer of the cervix.
Liver Tumors
In rare cases, combined oral contraceptives can cause benign but dangerous liver tumors. These benign liver tumors can rupture and cause fatal internal bleeding. In addition, some studies report an increased risk of developing liver cancer among women who use combined oral contraceptives. However, liver cancers are rare. There is insufficient data to determine whether POPs increase the risk of liver tumors.
Diabetic Women
Diabetic women taking POPs do not generally require changes in the amount of insulin they are taking. However, your healthcare professional may monitor you more closely under these conditions.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDs)
WARNING: POPs do not protect against getting or giving someone HIV (AIDS) or any other STD, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital warts or herpes.
SIDE EFFECTS
Irregular Bleeding:
The most common side effect of POPs is a change in menstrual bleeding. Your periods may be either early or late, and you may have some spotting between periods. Taking pills late or missing pills can result in some spotting or bleeding.
Other Side Effects:
Less common side effects include headaches, tender breasts, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue. Depression, nervousness, leg pain, vaginal discharge, fluid retention, allergic reactions, jaundice or a yellowing of the skin or eyeballs, loss of scalp hair, rash/itchy rash, weight gain, acne and extra hair on your face and body have been reported, but are rare.
If you are concerned about any of these side effects, check with your healthcare professional.
USING POPs WITH OTHER MEDICINES
Before taking a POP, inform your healthcare professional of any other medication, including over-the-counter medicine, that you may be taking.
These medicines can make POPs less effective:
Medicines for seizures such as:
- Phenytoin
- Carbamazepine
- Phenobarbital
- Felbamate
- Oxcarbazepine
- Rufinamide
Medicine for nausea and vomiting caused by certain anti-cancer (chemotherapy) medicines:
- (Fos)aprepitant
Medicines for tuberculosis (TB):
- Rifampin and rifabutin
Medicine for fungal infections such as:
- Griseofulvin
Medicine for pulmonary hypertension such as:
- Bosentan
Medicines used for the treatment of HIV infections or AIDS and infections due to Hepatitis C such as:
- Efavirenz, nevirapine, nelfinavir, and some ritonavir-containing drugs
Herbal products such as:
- St. John's wort
These medicines and substances can increase your exposure to POPs:
Grapefruit juice
Medicines for fungal infections such as:
- Itraconazole
- Voriconazole
- Fluconazole
- Ketoconazole
Before you begin taking any new medicines be sure your healthcare professional knows you are taking a progestin-only birth control pill.
HOW TO TAKE POPs
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER |
- POPs must be taken at the same time every day, so choose a time and then take the pill at that same time every day. Every time you take a pill late, and especially if you miss a pill, you are more likely to get pregnant.
- Start the next pack the day after the last pack is finished. There is no break between packs. Always have your next pack of pills ready.
- You may have some menstrual spotting between periods. Do not stop taking your pills if this happens.
- If you vomit soon after taking a pill, use a backup method (such as a condom and/or a spermicide) for 48 hours.
- If you want to stop taking POPs, you can do so at any time, but, if you remain sexually active and don't wish to become pregnant, be certain to use another birth control method.
- If you are not sure about how to take POPs, ask your healthcare professional.
STARTING POPs |
- It's best to take your first POP on the first day of your menstrual period.
- If you decide to take your first POP on another day, use a backup method (such as a condom and/or a spermicide) every time you have sex during the next 48 hours.
- If you have had a miscarriage or an abortion, you can start POPs the next day.
IF YOU ARE LATE OR MISS TAKING YOUR POPs |
- If you are more than 3 hours late or you miss one or more POPs:
- 1)
- TAKE a missed pill as soon as you remember that you missed it,
- 2)
- THEN go back to taking POPs at your regular time,
- 3)
- BUT be sure to use a backup method (such as a condom and/or a spermicide) every time you have sex for the next 48 hours.
- If you are not sure what to do about the pills you have missed, keep taking POPs and use a backup method until you can talk to your healthcare professional.
IF YOU ARE BREASTFEEDING |
- If you are fully breastfeeding (not giving your baby any food or formula), you may start your pills 6 weeks after delivery.
- If you are partially breastfeeding (giving your baby some food or formula), you should start taking pills by 3 weeks after delivery.
IF YOU ARE SWITCHING PILLS |
- If you are switching from the combined pills to POPs, take the first POP the day after you finish the last active combined pill. Do not take any of the 7 inactive pills from the combined pill pack. You should know that many women have irregular periods after switching to POPs, but this is normal and to be expected.
- If you are switching from POPs to the combined pills, take the first active combined pill on the first day of your period, even if your POPs pack is not finished.
- If you switch to another brand of POPs, start the new brand anytime.
- If you are breastfeeding, you can switch to another method of birth control at any time, except do not switch to the combined pills until you stop breastfeeding or at least until 6 months after delivery.
PREGNANCY WHILE ON THE PILL
If you think you are pregnant, contact your healthcare professional. Even though research has shown that POPs do not cause harm to the unborn baby, it is always best not to take any drugs or medicines that you don't need when you are pregnant.
You should get a pregnancy test:
- If your period is late and you took one or more pills late or missed taking them and had sex without a backup method.
- Anytime it has been more than 45 days since the beginning of your last period.
WILL POPs AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO GET PREGNANT LATER?
If you want to become pregnant, simply stop taking POPs. POPs will not delay your ability to get pregnant.
BREASTFEEDING
If you are breastfeeding, POPs will not affect the quality or amount of your breast milk or the health of your nursing baby. However, isolated cases of decreased milk production have been reported.
OVERDOSE
No serious problems have been reported when many pills were taken by accident, even by a small child, so there is usually no reason to treat an overdose.
OTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
If you have any questions or concerns, check with your healthcare professional. You can also ask for the more detailed "Professional Labeling" written for doctors and other healthcare professionals.
HOW TO STORE YOUR POPs
Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°–30°C (59°–86°F).
Keep out of reach of children.
ORTHO MICRONOR
norethindrone tablet |
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Labeler - Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (063137772) |
Establishment | |||
Name | Address | ID/FEI | Business Operations |
---|---|---|---|
Janssen Ortho, LLC | 084894661 | MANUFACTURE(50458-194) , ANALYSIS(50458-194) |
Establishment | |||
Name | Address | ID/FEI | Business Operations |
---|---|---|---|
Ortho Biologics, LLC | 606111821 | ANALYSIS(50458-194) |
Establishment | |||
Name | Address | ID/FEI | Business Operations |
---|---|---|---|
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 063137772 | ANALYSIS(50458-194) |
Establishment | |||
Name | Address | ID/FEI | Business Operations |
---|---|---|---|
Aspen Oss B.V. | 491013870 | API MANUFACTURE(50458-194) |
Establishment | |||
Name | Address | ID/FEI | Business Operations |
---|---|---|---|
Aspen Oss B.V. | 491017488 | API MANUFACTURE(50458-194) |