Noriday
"Highly effective mini pill contraceptive. As it contains only progestogen, Noriday is a good alternative to the combined pill for some women."
What is Noriday?
The Noriday mini pill is a contraceptive that contains only the hormone norethisterone (progestogen). If you take it at the same time every day, it’s 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
How does it work?
Noriday is a progestogen-only contraceptive pill (POP) with the active ingredient norethisterone. It works to prevent pregnancy by:
- Stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation).
- Thickening the mucus in your cervix to make it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
- Thinning the lining of the womb, so an egg is less likely to implant itself.
How to use Noriday
Take 1 pill every day, and always at the same time (within 3 hours) to stay protected against pregnancy. Take your packs of Noriday back-to-back without a break, continuing through your period.
Effectiveness
If you take it as prescribed, the Noriday pill can be up to 99% effective. However, if you’re vomiting or have severe diarrhoea while taking this pill, you may not be protected against pregnancy. If you can have sex, use condoms along with continuing to take the pill as usual. If the vomiting continues for more than 24 hours, follow the same steps as you would for a missed pill.
Important: you should only start taking the Noriday contraceptive pill if you’re certain you aren’t pregnant.
Side effects of Noriday
As with all medications, some women may experience side effects when taking the Noriday progesterone only pill. These can include headaches, feeling sick or dizzy, mood swings, sore breasts, or irregular periods.
For full details of side effects and correct use, see the Noriday patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
Product features
99% effective when you take it in the same 3 hour window every day
A daily tablet that contains progestogen only
Has few reported side effects
What is Noriday?
The Noriday mini pill is a contraceptive that contains only the hormone norethisterone (progestogen). If you take it at the same time every day, it’s 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
How does it work?
Noriday is a progestogen-only contraceptive pill (POP) with the active ingredient norethisterone. It works to prevent pregnancy by:
- Stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation).
- Thickening the mucus in your cervix to make it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
- Thinning the lining of the womb, so an egg is less likely to implant itself.
How to use Noriday
Take 1 pill every day, and always at the same time (within 3 hours) to stay protected against pregnancy. Take your packs of Noriday back-to-back without a break, continuing through your period.
Effectiveness
If you take it as prescribed, the Noriday pill can be up to 99% effective. However, if you’re vomiting or have severe diarrhoea while taking this pill, you may not be protected against pregnancy. If you can have sex, use condoms along with continuing to take the pill as usual. If the vomiting continues for more than 24 hours, follow the same steps as you would for a missed pill.
Important: you should only start taking the Noriday contraceptive pill if you’re certain you aren’t pregnant.
Side effects of Noriday
As with all medications, some women may experience side effects when taking the Noriday progesterone only pill. These can include headaches, feeling sick or dizzy, mood swings, sore breasts, or irregular periods.
For full details of side effects and correct use, see the Noriday patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
Select a medication and complete our simple, confidential online consultation
A clinician will review your answers and, if suitable, prescribe treatment
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Noriday FAQs
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How long does Noriday take to work?
If you begin taking the Noriday mini pill on days 1-5 of your period, this should give you immediate protection against pregnancy. If you start taking the mini pill on any other day of your cycle, you will need to use condoms or another form of barrier contraception for the first 2 days until the pill becomes effective.
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Does Norgeston stop periods?
While taking a progestogen-only pill like Noriday, it’s normal for your periods to stop, become irregular, more frequent or lighter. Sometimes the time between your periods, and their duration will be different. You may also get bleeding between periods, known as ‘breakthrough bleeding’. This is more likely to happen in the first few months of taking Noriday.
If your periods seem different, there’s no need to stop taking Noriday. However, you should mention it next time you order your contraception or see your GP.
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Who can take Noriday?
Before taking Noriday you should tell our clinicians if you have any medical problems or illnesses. They’ll be able to explain your other birth control options.
You shouldn’t take Noriday if:
- You have, or have ever had, a blood clot in a blood vessel of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT), your lungs (pulmonary embolus, PE) or other organs.
- You have a blood clotting disorder.
- You have, or have ever had, a heart attack or stroke.
- You have very high blood pressure.
There are other instances where the pill is not suitable, and our clinicians can advise on this during your online consultation.
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Can I take Noriday while breastfeeding?
You can take Noriday while breastfeeding. There’s no evidence to suggest that it affects breast milk or impacts on the growth or development of a healthy baby.
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What if I miss my Noriday pill?
You should take the pill as soon as you remember. Then take your next pill at the normal time. This could mean taking 2 pills in one day.
If you don’t take your pill within the usual 3 hour window, you won’t be protected against pregnancy. So, continue to take your pills as normal, but use a condom for the next 2 days. You may need emergency contraception if you had unprotected sex during those 2 days.
For full details of correct use and what to do if you miss a pill, please see the Noriday patient information leaflet. If you need more advice you can contact us in your Patient Record.
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Where can I buy Noriday?
Noriday is a prescription only medication, but you can get it prescribed and buy it online. However, make sure you’re using a regulated health service with professionally qualified and registered clinicians. Our service meets all these standards.
We can prescribe Noriday for you online, for discreet home delivery or to pick up from your nearest Well Pharmacy. To make sure it’s safe for you, we'll ask you a few questions including your height, weight and blood pressure.
Start an online consultation and one of our clinicians will review your answers. It’s completely confidential and only takes a few minutes.
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What to do if I get Noriday side effects
As with all medications, some women may experience side effects when taking Noriday though they should become milder as your body gets used to the medication. You should talk to your doctor if you get serious side effects, or any not listed in the patient information leaflet.
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Noriday warnings
Some women have reported symptoms of depression when taking Noriday. This should be taken seriously as depression can lead to suicidal thoughts. If you get depressed moods and thoughts when taking Noriday, you can contact us through your Patient Record.
Before taking Noriday you should let your clinician know if you wear contact lenses. The medication can be drying for the eyes, causing discomfort for some women.
Noriday won’t protect you against sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia or HIV. Only condoms can help with this.
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Noriday drug interactions
You should be able to take Noriday alongside other medicines. So that our clinicians can prescribe it safely, you’ll need to let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you’re taking regularly.
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Alternative Noriday contraception
Mini pills like Noriday are just one of a wide range of contraceptives we can advise you on and prescribe. These include NuvaRing, Evra Patch, the contraceptive injection, combined pills and progestogen only pills.
See our full contraception range here.
You can also get long-acting contraceptives through your GP or family planning clinic. These include the coil, implants, and contraceptive injections.
