Noriday is a type of contraceptive pill called a mini pill, that’s used to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Unlike combined oral contraceptive pills, Noriday doesn’t contain oestrogen. Noriday, and other mini pills, only contain the hormone progestogen.

Noriday contains 350 micrograms of norethisterone, a progestogen which is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring female hormone progesterone.

Is Noriday the same as Micronor?

Noriday and Micronor contain the same active ingredient and work in exactly the same way to prevent pregnancy. The only difference between Noriday and Micronor is the brand name, as they are manufactured by different companies. Micronor is no longer available as it has been discontinued by the manufacturer, so if you’re looking for another pill then Noriday is a safe alternative to take.

Noriday can be bought online with Superdrug Online Doctor even if you’ve never taken it before. Our online service is quick, simple, and effective to use. Plus, all orders are sent in discreet, unmarked stripaging.

Simply:

• Complete a short online assessment.
• One of our registered doctors will review your answers and make sure it is safe and appropriate for you to take Noriday.
• Once approved, the medication will be sent to an address of your choice in the post, or you can pick it up from a Superdrug store of your choice.

Can you get Noriday over the counter?

No, you can’t get Noriday over the counter. Noriday is a prescription-only medication, so you will need a prescription from a doctor before you can get it from a pharmacy.

Can you get Noriday on the NHS?

It may be possible to get Noriday on the NHS, but it will be down to your local guidelines. You will need to book an appointment with your GP or visit an NHS-partnered sexual health clinic to find out if you're eligible.

Yes, it’s safe to take Noriday if it has been prescribed to you. Noriday is a commonly prescribed contraceptive pill in the UK, and there is no evidence to suggest that Noriday is any less safe than other mini pills.

Noriday works by releasing and regulating the hormone progesterone. It thickens the mucus at the neck of the womb also called the cervix, which stops sperm reaching and fertilising an egg, preventing pregnancy.

The mini pill also thins the lining of the womb making it difficult for a fertilised egg to implant and grow. Progestogens can also have an affect on the ovaries by stopping ovulation from occurring.

How long does Noriday take to work?

If you begin taking Noriday on days 1-5 of your period, then you will be protected against pregnancy straight away.

If you start taking Noriday after day 5 of your period, then it will take 48 hours to work, so you’ll need to use extra protection for 2 days such as condoms.

How effective is Noriday?

When taken correctly, Noriday is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. This is likely to be closer to 91% because of factors that make Noriday less effective, like:

• sickness (vomiting)
• diarrhoea
• missing pills
• taking certain medications

Noriday comes in strips of 28 tablets and each tablet shows the day of the week it should be taken on. You should try to take your first Noriday tablet on the first day of your period. This is day one of your menstrual cycle and is the day your bleed starts.

• Take one pill every day, swallow with water if necessary.
• You can take Noriday at any time during the day, but it must be taken around the same time every day.
• Noriday must be taken within the same 3-hour time frame every day otherwise you may not be protected from pregnancy.
• Follow the arrows on the pack, taking one pill each day until the pack is empty. When you finish the first pack, start a new pack the next day. You should start each new strip on the same day every time.
• There must be no breaks between packs.
• It is common to not get your period while taking Noriday and isn’t a cause for concern.

When should I start taking Noriday?

You can start taking Noriday at any time of your menstrual cycle, but you will not be protected from pregnancy straight away if you start after the first 5 days. When you start taking Noriday has no impact on the long-term effectiveness of the pill.

If you start taking Noriday on days 1-5 of your menstrual cycle then you will be immediately protected, so you won’t need to use other methods of contraception. Otherwise, you’ll need to use barrier methods such as condoms for the next 2 days.

What happens if you miss a Noriday pill?

If you are more than 3 hours late taking your pill, then you may not be protected from pregnancy. You should:

• Take the missed pill as soon as you remember.
• Take the next pill at your usual time.
• It may mean you need to take two pills in one day.
• Continue taking your pills as normal but use a condom if you plan to have sex for the next seven days.
• If you’ve already had unprotected sex, you may need to use emergency contraception.

Can I take Noriday to delay my period?

No, you can’t take Noriday to delay your period. Noriday is a type of mini pill that you take without a pill-free break, so it can’t delay or stop your period. Only combined contraceptive pills (contraceptive pills that contain oestrogen) can be taken without a break to stop your period.

Can I use Noriday as emergency contraception?

Mini pills including Noriday cannot be used as emergency contraception. If you think you need emergency contraception, you can order it from Superdrug Online Doctor. Alternatively, you’ll need to make an appointment with a GP, consult a pharmacist or an NHS-partnered sexual health clinic.

Many women who take Noriday will not experience side effects, but some women do.

Side effects include:

• Stomach upset
• Weight changes
• Headaches
• Migraines
• Swollen or sore breasts
• Changes in sex drive
• Gallstones
• Tiredness
• Nervousness
• Depression
• High blood pressure
• A rash
• Irregular periods
• Liver issue or a benign liver tumour

What should I do if I think I’m getting Noriday side effects?

Side effects are common during the first three months of taking Noriday as your body adapts to the hormonal changes taking place. These side effects should become more manageable or go away after 3 months.

If they don’t go away or become too hard to manage, then you should speak to your doctor. They may suggest that you stop taking Noriday and swap to a different pill which is less likely to cause side effects.

Can Noriday cause depression?

Depression is listed as a potential side effect of taking Noriday. Some women who use hormonal contraceptives including Noriday have reported experiencing depression or mood changes.

Does Noriday cause weight gain?

The Noriday patient information leaflet lists changes in weight as a potential side effect of taking the pill. Research shows there is little evidence to suggest that progestogen-only pills cause weight gain. Weight fluctuations are common during the female menstrual cycle because of factors including fluid retention.

Does Noriday affect fertility?

Noriday is used by women to prevent pregnancy but there is no evidence to suggest that the mini pill will affect your long-term fertility. In fact, if you have been taking Noriday, your chance of getting pregnant within one year is the same as any other couple when you stop taking it.

Does Noriday stop your period?

A common side effect of Noriday is changes to your period. You may experience irregular bleeding, spotting between periods or no bleeding at all. Noriday may also affect the heaviness of your period, so it may become lighter or heavier. These changes to your bleeding usually clear up after a few months as your body gets used to the hormonal changes caused by the pill.

How to stop bleeding on Noriday

Changes to bleeding are a common side effect of the progesterone-only pill including Noriday. They affect different women in different ways and can include experiencing heavier, lighter, irregular, or changes in frequency.

Changes to your bleeding usually stop after the first three months of taking Noriday as your body adjusts to the hormonal changes. However, if you are concerned or are unable to manage the bleeding changes speak to your doctor.

Noriday is not suitable for some women. If Noriday or similar mini pills are not right for you then you may be able to try other pills which use a different type of progesterone, such as Norgeston.

You should not take Noriday if you:

• are allergic to any of the ingredients, including norethisterone
• are or think you may be pregnant
• have or have ever had acute or severe chronic liver disease including past or present tumours or jaundice
• have active liver disease or liver tumours
• have a fat metabolism disorder
• have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• have never had a period or your periods have suddenly stopped (amenorrhoea )
• have inflamed veins
• have blood clots
• have heart disease or have had a stroke
• have experienced jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) or pruritus (itching all over the body) during pregnancy

Drug interactions

These medications can stop Noriday from working properly:

• St. John’s Wort
• Carbamazepine
• Oxcarbazepine
• Phenytoin
• Phenobarbital
• Primidone
• Topiramate
• Nelfinavir
• Nevirapine
• Ritonavir
• Rifabutin
• Rifampicin
• Griseofulvin
• Ampicillin
• Doxycycline
• Modafinil

Noriday risks

Noriday is associated with an increased risk of:

• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Blood clots

Can I drink alcohol while taking Noriday?

Yes, you can drink alcohol while taking Noriday as it does not impact the effectiveness of hormonal contraception.

Can I take painkillers when taking Noriday?

Yes, you can take simple painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen while taking Noriday.

Can I take Noriday when I’m breastfeeding?

You should wait for the first weeks after giving birth before taking Noriday. Taking Noriday while breastfeeding will not reduce the amount of milk you produce, or affect the quality of your breastmilk.

Noriday is rated as 3 out of 5 stars by reviewers on The Lowdown. 37% of reviewers stated that their moods were somewhat negatively affected while taking Noriday and 46% experienced irregular periods. Other side effects listed by reviewers include vaginal discharge and acne.