General Information on Micronor
Micronor, popularly known as ‘mini-pill’, is used to prevent pregnancy. Instead of estrogen, this medication contains Norethindrone, which is basically a type of progestin. This drug helps women avoid pregnancy by preventing fertilization and implantation. You should buy Micronor and use it exactly as prescribed by your physician.
Micronor prevents pregnancy by causing the following changes in the woman’s reproductive system:
- Thickens the cervical mucus that, in turn, prevents sperm from penetrating the vagina and enter the womb
- Suppresses ovulation by preventing release of egg in the ovaries. This happens in only half of the women who take this pill.
- Slows down the speed of ovum movement in the fallopian tubes
- Alters endometrium or the womb lining thereby preventing any fertilized egg from implanting to the uterus wall.
Micronor is more reliable than supplementary birth control processes. It also ensures regular and painless comfortable menstrual periods. However, it does not provide protection against STDs.
Side effects of Micronor
Generally, Micronor does not cause any major side effects. Being a contraception drug it can alter the time, flow and nature of your periods. While using Norethindrone for the first couple of months, you may experience spotting between your periods, abnormal flow or continuous bleeding. Here are some common side effects of Micronor:
- Vaginal infections
- Bloating or stomach cramping
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Breast size reduction
- Breast tenderness
- Acne
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Oily scalp
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
Some rare but fatal conditions such as heart attack, pulmonary embolism, stroke may develop from blood clots during the use of Micronor. You can also experience:
- Chest or jaw or left arm pain
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Swelling, pain or warmth in the calf or groin
- Indistinct speech
- Tingling sensation in the legs or arms
- Sudden breathing problem
- Sudden severe headaches with coordination problems
- Worsening of migraine
- Coughing up blood
- Fainting
- Vision problems
- Depression or confusion
Although allergic reactions to Norethindrone are not very common, still you should take the help of your doctor if you develop following symptoms:
- Extreme dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Skin rash
- Swelling or itching of tongue, throat or face
Micronor can cause some more serious side effects that will need immediate attention of experts. Some of these side effects include:
- Breast lumps
- Acute stomach or abdominal or pelvic pain
- Swelling of the feet or ankles
- Darkened urine
- Yellowing of skin or eyes
- Abnormal body or facial hair
- Gloominess
- Extreme fatigue
Dosage of Micronor
The Micronor mini pill should be taken orally at the same time everyday, with or without food. These pills have to be taken every day, even during periods. You need to use an alternative birth control method if you ever miss a pill or take it too late (more than three hours) or vomit within the first four hours of taking it. This is important because all of these may increase the risk of pregnancy. Women allergic to Norethindrone should not buy Micronor.
Sudden abnormal vaginal bleeding, vomiting, nausea etc. can be the symptoms of overdose of Micronor. On the other hand, you may miss 1 or 2 periods in a row if the pill has not been taken properly. Whatever the condition is, talk to your doctor and follow the instructions strictly.
Interactions
Micronor must be taken under proper supervision of doctors. Never start or stop using other prescription or non-prescription medications without the permission of your physician.
Some drugs which seriously interact with Norethindrone are:
- Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate
- Isotretinoin
- Acitretin
- Troleandomycin
- Metoclopramide
Moreover, the following medications slow down the activity of Micronor and accelerate pregnancy:
- HIV drugs (Nelfinavir, Nevirapine, Ritonavir)
- Griseofulvin
- St. John's wort
- Rifamycins (Rifampin, Rifabutin)
- Seizure medications (Barbiturates, Topiramate, Felbamate, Carbamazepine, Primidone, Phenytoin)
- Modafinil
Micronor often influences the thyroid or globulin tests. However, the lists provided above are not complete. Contact your doctor for comprehensive lists of side effects as well as the interactive drugs.
