Norethisterone Tablets
Norethisterone tablets are pills to stop your period. They can be used to delay your period, for example when going on holiday. Norethisterone tablets need to be taken three days before you expect your period to begin and delay your period until three days after you have taken the last tablet.
To place your order, fill in our brief assessment questionnaire. Our online doctor will review your answers and just like your GP check whether it is safe for you to take a period delay treatment such as norethisterone tablets.
Prescription and delivery are included in the price.
Please note, that we can only prescribe norethisterone for period delay. If you need treatment for heavy or painful periods, speak to your GP.
To place an order, fill in a brief questionnaire. One of our doctors will review your order and prescribe a suitable treatment.
10 day course | from £16.99 |
20 day course | from £24.99 |
30 day course | from £37.00 |


In a hurry? Choose Click and Collect and pick up your order after just 4 hours from a Superdrug Pharmacy.
Norethisterone Period Delay Tablets
How to stop your period
There’s two main ways to stop your periods:
Period delay tablets, like norethisterone
Hormonal contraception, like the pill
You can use period delay tablets to stop your period from coming for as long as you need to, up to 30 days at a time. This can be useful if you’re going on holiday or for any other reasons that you might want to push back getting your period.
You can also stop your period using a few different types of hormonal contraception. Some are more likely to stop your period than others though, and generally they aren’t for short-term use.
Hormonal contraceptives that can stop your periods include:
The combined contraceptive pill – can stop your period over a longer period of time but you can get light bleeding (spotting) if you don’t take a break every month. So if you want to guarantee no period bleeding, you’ll need to have a 7-day break every month when you might sometimes have period-like bleeding.
The mini pill – can stop periods over a long period of time, but there is still some risk of light bleeding (spotting).
The hormonal coil – can stop your periods, but it takes a few months before they stop.
The contraceptive injection – about half of people who use the injection will stop having periods.
The contraceptive implant – about a third of people with the implant stop having periods, but this only applies from one year after getting the implant.
What do period delay tablets do?
Period delay tablets are a treatment used to stop your period for a set amount of time (up to 30 days with norethisterone). Period delay tablets are not contraceptives, so you can’t use them to protect against pregnancy.
There’s 2 main types of period delay tablet available in the UK:
Norethisterone 5mg (brand name Utovlan)
Medroxyprogesterone 10mg (brand name Provera)
Both of these types of period delay tablets use a version of the hormone progesterone. This hormone is used by your body to help time your periods. Basically when the level of progesterone in your body drops, that’s the signal to start another period. If you’re taking progesterone tablets then you trick your body into waiting a little longer before starting the next period.
Norethisterone is licensed specifically for period delay, but medroxyprogesterone technically isn’t. This doesn’t mean medroxyprogesterone isn’t safe, though. From a doctor’s point of view they’re both safe to use for period delay.
Can you get period delay tablets on the NHS?
Yep – if you want to go through your GP to get period delay tablets you can. You’ll need to make a usual appointment and your GP will talk you through your options and prescribe the best treatment for you. Then you can take the prescription to get filled at most pharmacies.
Full price or NHS prescription? – norethisterone for period delay is not a ‘blacklisted medication’ which means a GP can give you an NHS prescription for it. But, not all GPs will definitely do this. If your GP does give you an NHS prescription then you will only have to pay the flat NHS prescription charge. If not, you’ll get a private prescription and you’ll have to pay full price for your tablets.
Can you get period delay tablets over the counter?
No, period delay tablets are prescription-only. There are some serious health risks for certain people if they were going to take progesterone medications like period delay pills. So it’s important that a doctor can check to make sure they’re safe for you to take.
Although you need a doctor to check you for period delay treatment, you don’t have to do it face-to-face. With services like Superdrug Online Doctor, you can get checked online instead using a quick and easy healthcare question that one of our doctors checks for you.
What is norethisterone?
Norethisterone is a man-made version of the hormone progesterone. Progesterone is used by your body to do a few different things, including controlling your periods. Norethisterone is used in a few different medications, including:
Combined pills:
Brevinor
Norimin
Norinyl-1
Synphase
The mini pill – Noriday
Period delay pills – Utovlan
Norethisterone can be used to delay periods from coming because it stops your progesterone levels dropping after one cycle, which normally triggers the next period. It can also help protect against you getting pregnant if you don’t want by making it harder for an egg to get fertilised and cause a pregnancy.
But, it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t rely on Norethisterone to avoid pregnancy if you’re using it for period delay. You need to use contraception as well if you don’t want to get pregnant.
Please note that period delay is an ‘off-label’ use for Norethisterone. All medications we offer are fully licensed within the UK. Some medications, such as this, we prescribe for conditions, or circumstances that are outside of the licence also known as ‘off-label’. Prescribing ‘off-label’ is common practice by healthcare professionals to ensure a medication can safely benefit as many patients as possible. This is always based on updated information and evidence since the product first became available.
What are reviews of norethisterone like?
You can see reviews of norethisterone (called norethindrone here) on Drugs.com. There are only reviews available for contraception and not for period delay. Generally our patients rate our norethisterone tablet service highly – you can see TrustPilot reviews further down this page.
Hormonal medications like norethisterone affect different people differently, so it’s hard to predict how you will react. If you have any problems or concerns about your period delay treatment, you should get in touch with your GP or message a doctor directly through your account if you ordered online.
How to take Norethisterone
Take norethisterone tablets for period delay using these 4 easy steps:
Start taking your tablets 3 days before you want to stop your period
Take 3 tablets a day – morning, midday, and evening
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember
Your period should come back about 3 days after you stop taking your tablets
If you had sex during your treatment and your period doesn’t come back after 3 days then you should take a pregnancy test and see your GP.
Norethisterone side effects
Like any medication, norethisterone can cause side effects for some people. Make sure you stop taking your tablets and get emergency medical help if you get:
Symptoms of an allergic reaction
Symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs or brain
Symptoms of deep-vein thrombosis
See your doctor as soon as you can if you get:
Yellow skin
Migraines for the first time
Other side effects that norethisterone can cause include:
Effects on your genitals or breasts
Effects on your nerve system
Effects on your stomach and gut
Effects on your liver
Cysts and tumours
Effects on your metabolism
Effects on your heart and blood supply
Effects on skin and hair
Others effects that aren’t covered above
For detailed info on norethisterone side effects, please check the patient information leaflet that comes with your tablets.
Drug Interactions
Birth Control (2018). What birth control stops your period? [online] Available at: https://birthcontrol.com/blog/what-birth-control-stops-your-period/ [accessed 28th November 2018].
Pfizer Limited (2018). Utovlan ® 5 mg tablets. [online] Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1717.pdf [accessed 2nd August 2019].
Pfizer Limited (2016). Provera® 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg tablets. [online] Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3547.pdf [accessed 2nd August 2019].
To place an order, fill in a brief questionnaire. One of our doctors will review your order and prescribe a treatment if suitable. Existing patients should login first.
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Excellent service & fast delivery
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Was easy to get and worked as expected
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Good for summer holidays
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Very well service! :)
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Worked right away
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A bit pricey, but it worked perfectly for the purpose.
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Fast service and continued support from the superdrug doctor team. Very impressed.
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Very fast service
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I ordered the period delay tablets Norethisterone to use while on holiday. It was a very quick process to oversee online and I could collect it within 3 hours from my nearest Superdrug that has a pharmacy. The medication worked well and prevented my period. I ordered a 10 day supply and thought it was rather expensive at nearly £20 since it wasn’t an NHS prescription.
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Perfect ! When I couldn’t get into my local doctors , it was quick easy and I’ll definitely be buying from here again!
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Pleased to see a doctor checked some things with me prior to issuing the items
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Oooooooook
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Great customer service and great advice
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Excellent! Worked just as described with absolutely no side-effects whatsoever.
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Fab product just what I needed and arrived very prompt excellent service with regular updates and tracking
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Great. Easy service to use. Quick. Nice doctors. Would suggest anyone use.
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Good product always works effectively.
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This 100% worked and saved my holiday!!! Would buy again without hesitation
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Amazing and quick service couldn’t fault
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Great service and perfect for what i needed
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Easy, reliable and good communication about delivery etc
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Fast and easy online ordering process. Arrived on the exact day stated, overall very pleased!
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Trust this product and great service would defiantly recommend
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I'm so impressed I can receive this service online through correct checks. Saves me a trip to my Doctors which always takes ages, so absolutely brilliant!
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Easily prescribed and quickly delivered, happy with the service 👍👍👍
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It worked for me and was worth buying it.
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Really helped me out but the Dr was consistent and asked all the correct questions for my health.
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Service quick,easy and good online communication throughout the process. Excellent product, I had no complications I'm very pleased
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Very good, would purchase again.
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Worked very well for me, but just bit annoying taking the tablet 3 times a day.
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Did what it said on the tin! Great speedy service.
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It's just what I needed for holidays and I just don't have time to get to the doctors so this service is just perfect for me.
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First time I ever used this product & it did the job well, I had no problems.
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Quick delivery ! Did exactly what it says it does !
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After a few days of taking this product I experienced severe low mood and irritability. There were no other lifestyle factors that would have affected my mood. It was effective in delaying my period however the symptoms of depression I felt didn't make it worth it. My mood soon improved once I stopped. This medication seems to influence serotonin levels and I'm sure most people do not experience this side effect, but if you have ever experienced changes in mood in response to medication, then it may not be for you.
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Brilliant service i would definitly recommend this to people.
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I went everywhere look for this , but then found out Superdrug does online doctor which was great help !
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Good service. Quick postage. Great product worked well
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Product does the job, Superdrug service was excellent. Thank you
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Utovlan, worked 100% for me, will deffinetely buy again
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Speedy service. No hassle procesz. Very pleased.
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Simple, easy and fast. No messing about. Can never get in with my GP, so was worth every penny to get these tablets before my holiday. Will be using this service again in the future
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When ordering it was easy to do it come fast and good condition very happy
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Simple and easy to use, quick delivery.
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Excellent service. Never taken period delay tablets before, worked perfectly. Did exactly what they said. Amazing
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Quick and works very well
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It done the job it was suppose to! Ordering it was fast and easy
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Great service, would definitely use again
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The product was exactly what it needed and help me tremendously I would recommend this service to anyone, it was prompt and reliable all in all very satisfied
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The product was easy to order and arrived as promised. The whole process was simple.
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Brilliant service - quick and easy
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The product worked as described and the collection was easy.
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I took two rather than the recommended three a day. No unwanted side effects. Period began exactly three days after I stopped using it and was normal (for me). Would use again.
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Product arrived in expected timescale with clear instructions on how to take and the potential side effects etc. Reassured by medical screening process!
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Gave sufficient information about the product I purchased and instructions showing clear details of how to use tablets.
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Quick and easy, Descreet online service.
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Very good. I get this product all the time and it always works for me.
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The drug I purchased did the job I wanted enabling me to enjoy my holiday without disruption from mother nature. I noticed no real additional side effects overall. It would be great to have this service available for collection at more superdrug stores.
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receiving the product was quick and easy. I still experienced a bit of spotting and it would have been nice if i only had to take it once a day but all in all was very happy
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Superdrug online provided me a convenience situation to grab my medicine easily in a short time.
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Fast efficient service from start to finish
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Super fast, easy and reliable service
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Very efficient service and very easy website to use
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Easy to order and arrived quickly.
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Great service! It's fast, hassle free and very convenient when you don't have time to go to the doctors because of work/other commitments Highly recommend this to anyone!
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Very quick and reliable service
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the reason i gave only three stars out of five is because the collection point wasn t in one of the superdrug pharmacies closer to me like the one here in dudley where i live or in merry hill centre where is easier to go, but the rest of the service is very efficient
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Easy instructions and very quick same day delivery. There was also no hassles picking it up from the store.
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Excellent service, especially if you do not have time to go your doctor. They are thorough and e-mail if they have any questions before prescribing. Very rapid response and speedy delivery. Will definitely use again.
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Used as instructed and worked perfectly for me
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Fantastic service, easy to order and speedy delivery, will definitely use again.
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Good product worked for me
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Because it is so hard to get a doctors appointment these days i decided to try on line doctor service..as long as you are honest in the answers you give i think its a great service and i would most certainly use them again. I would highly recommend ..fast efficient service and advice from a qualified doctor...
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Worked great, first time used.. would use again
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Great service - fast and speedy!