Norgestrel

Indications

Norgestrel is used for: Contraception, Menorrhagia, Menopausal HRT

Adult Dose

Contraception 0.075 mg PO once daily, at same time each day.

Child Dose

Renal Dose

Administration

May be taken with or without food. Continue taking one tablet every day. After taking the last tablet in old pack, start a new pack the next day. There is no break between packs, and do not take any "reminder" tablets (tablets without medication). Periods may be early or late, shorter or longer, heavier or lighter than normal. May also have some spotting between periods. Do not stop taking pills if this happens. If vomit within 4 hours after taking this medication or have diarrhea, use a back-up method of birth control (e.g., condom, spermicide) for the next 2 days. Missing a pill, taking it more than 3 hours late, or starting a new pack late will increase your risk of becoming pregnant. If you miss a pill or take this medication 3 or more hours later than usual, use a back-up method of birth control (e.g., condom, spermicide) for the next 2 days.

Contra Indications

Pregnancy, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, severe arterial disease; liver adenoma, porphyria; after recent evacuation of hydatidiform mole; history of breast cancer; hepatic impairment.

Precautions

Sex-steroid dependent cancer, past ectopic pregnancy, malabsorption syndromes, functional ovarian cysts, active liver disease, recurrent cholestatic jaundice, history of jaundice in pregnancy, CV or renal impairment, DM, asthma, epilepsy, migraine, conditions aggravated by fluid retention, depression and thromboembolism (high doses); lactation.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Interactions

Some drugs that may interact with this drug include: acitretin, isotretinoin, troleandomycin. Some drugs may cause hormonal birth control to work less well by decreasing the amount of birth control hormones in body. This effect can result in pregnancy. Examples include griseofulvin, modafinil, rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin), St. John's wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as barbiturates, carbamazepine, felbamate, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate), HIV drugs (such as nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir), among others.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Norgestrel : >10% Edema, Weakness, Anorexia, Amenorrhea, Breakthrough bleeding, Change in menstrual flow, Spotting Frequency Not Defined Menstrual irregularities; Deep vein thrombosis, thrombophlebitisnausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, breast discomfort, gynaecomastia, depression, skin disorders, disturbance of appetite, wt changes, fluid retention, changes in libido, cholestatic jaundice, hair loss or hirsutism. Benign intracranial hypertension, thrombocytopenic purpura. Potentially Fatal: Thrombocytopenia, stroke.

Mechanism of Action

Progestin; inhibits secretion of gonadotropins from pituitary gland; prevents ovulation in half of users, thickens cervical mucus to inhibit sperm penetration.