Ortho Micronor (norethindrone) is a birth-control pill used to prevent pregnancy. It can also treat endometriosis, a condition in which your uterine lining grows outside of your uterus. According to Drugs.com, Ortho Micronor prevents ovulation (egg release into the uterus) and alters the uterine lining and cervical mucus to decrease your chances of getting pregnant. Typically, you will take one Ortho Micronor tablet daily on the first Sunday after your menstrual period or as your doctor prescribes.
Common Side Effects
Ortho Micronor is a pill that contains synthetic female hormones. It manipulates your female reproductive system to cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, spotting, tender breasts and menstrual flow irregularities, says MedlinePlus. It can also cause fluctuations in your weight, acne, facial growth and trouble sleeping. Ortho Micronor's common side effects should last no more than one week. Call your doctor if these symptoms do not resolve on their own.
Serious Side Effects
According to the National Library of Medicine, Ortho Micronor can lead to an ectopic pregnancy and ovarian cysts. An ectopic pregnancy refers to a pregnancy that occurs outside of your uterus. For example, a pregnancy may occur in your fallopian tubes. This is a potentially fatal situation that typically results in a miscarriage, infertility and even death if not addressed immediately. Ortho Micronor can cause your eggs (follicles) to grow larger than usual. Sometimes, they disappear and cause only stomach pain. In other cases, ovarian torsion (twisting of your ovaries) may occur. Ortho Micronor can also increase your risk for developing liver tumors and breast or ovarian cancer. Severe symptoms of hepatic neoplasia include intrabdominal (within the stomach) bleeding and jaundice (a yellowing of your skin). Breast cancer symptoms include a breast lump and abnormal nipple discharge. Signs of ovarian cancer include pelvic pain and menstrual irregularities. Call your physician when Ortho Micronor causes these side effects.
Drugs.com says that Ortho Micronor can also cause a sudden headache, visual problems, unsteadiness and numbness or tingling on one side of your body. These are stroke manifestations. As an oral contraceptive, Ortho Micronor makes you susceptible to forming blood clots. These blood clots can also form in your coronary artery and cause a heart attack. Heart attack symptoms include severe chest pain that spreads to your arm, sweating and nausea. Call 911.
Additional Concerns
Avoid Ortho Micronor if you are allergic to norethindrone or any other synthetic hormone-containing oral contraceptive pill. An allergic reaction to Ortho Micronor consists of trouble breathing, hives and throat or facial swelling. Avoid this birth-control pill if you have a history of breast cancer, blood clots, stroke or had a recent miscarriage. Ortho Micronor can cause further clotting and lead to repeat episodes of the aforementioned conditions. Ortho Micronor passes into breast milk, so tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding prior to taking this oral contraceptive. Avoid combining Ortho Micronor with rifampin, griseofulvin, ketoconazole and amprenavir, says Drugs.com. Combining this tablet with those drugs can provoke Ortho Micronor's aforementioned side effects.
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