Norinyl-1

If you start taking Norinyl-1 on days 1-5 of your period, this should give you immediate protection against pregnancy.

However, if you start taking Norinyl-1 after day one and you have a short or irregular menstrual cycle, you’ll need to use extra barrier contraception for 7 days if you have sex. For example, condoms or cervical cap with spermicide. We’ll advise you on this during your online consultation.

When taking Norinyl-1, your periods may become irregular and you may notice some bleeding between periods. This usually settles in the first few months. Your periods could get lighter and there might occasionally be no bleeding at all during the tablet free days. It’s a good idea to note what’s happening with your cycle.

You should talk to your clinician about alternative birth control options and not take Norinyl-1 if:

• You’re pregnant or suspect you might be.
• You’re allergic to norethisterone, mestranol or any of the other ingredients of this 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.

If you get any of these conditions while you’re taking Norimin, don’t take any more pills. Contact your doctor immediately and use another method of contraception in the meantime, like condoms or a cap with spermicide.

During the first six weeks breastfeeding after birth, Norinyl-1 can reduce milk supply and may also put you at greater risk of blood clots.

Our clinicians can recommend alternative forms of birth control. We can then prescribe alternatives from a wide range of contraceptives if suitable.

Remember that breastfeeding might not stop you getting pregnant.

If you miss one pill at any point in your pack or start a new pack 1 day late, you’re still protected from pregnancy. 

Here’s what to do:

• Take the missed pill as soon as possible, even if it means taking 2 pills on the same day.
• Continue taking the remaining pills at your regular schedule.
• If you normally have a pill-free break, stick to your usual timing. 

If you’ve missed two or more pills (over 48 hours late), your contraceptive protection may be reduced.

Follow these steps:

• Take the most recent missed pill right away, even if it means taking 2 pills in one day.
• Skip any other earlier missed pills.
• Use additional contraception, like condoms, for the next 7 days.
• Continue with your pack as normal.
• You may need emergency contraception if you have had unprotected sex after missing pills.

When you finish the pack after missing pills:

• If there are 7+ pills left in your pack: Finish the pack as usual and take your 7-day pill-free break as planned.
• If fewer than 7 pills are left in your pack: Skip the pill-free break and start a new pack immediately. 

You may need emergency contraception if:

• You’ve had unprotected sex after missing pills.
• You had unprotected sex in the 7 days before the missed pills. 

Our clinicians can prescribe emergency contraception, if it’s safe to do so. For full details of correct use and what to do if you miss a pill, please see the Norinyl-1 patient information leaflet. If you need more advice you can contact us in your Patient Record.

As this pill is prescription only you’ll need to be approved by a clinician before you can buy the treatment, even if you’re using an online service.

We can prescribe Norinyl-1 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. It’s completely confidential and only takes a few minutes.

As with all medications, some women may experience side effects when taking Norinyl-1. You should talk to your doctor if you get any side effects that you think are from taking Norinyl-1, especially if they’re severe and persistent. This includes any side effects not listed on the patient information leaflet.

Combined contraceptives can raise your blood pressure, which could be dangerous. So, it’s important to check your blood pressure before starting the treatment, then once a year after that. 

As part of your consultation, we’ll ask you if you’ve had your blood pressure checked recently, or checked it yourself at home using a blood pressure monitor. This information is required before we can prescribe combined contraceptives like Norinyl-1. 

Norinyl-1 won’t protect you against sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia or HIV. Only condoms can help with this.

You should be able to take Norinyl-1 alongside other medications. 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.

A combination pill like Norinyl-1 is 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.