We understand that occasionally you may want to delay your period. There are certain times in your life when having a period will be inconvenient. You may be going on holiday, taking exams, or it might be a special occasion such as a wedding or honeymoon.

How to take the tablets

Tablets (norethisterone 5mg) are taken three times daily, started 4 to 5 days before a period starts and continued for as long as needed (maximum of 20 days of period delay). A period bleed will normally start a few days (usually 3 days) after stopping norethisterone.

Length of treatment

Your pharmacist can supply sufficient norethisterone tablets to delay a period for up to 16 days, a maximum of 60 tablets. If a period delay of less than 16 days is required, norethisterone is taken for fewer days and fewer tablets are needed.

Norethisterone is routinely prescribed to women who wish to delay their periods; however it is only for occasional use. Your Pharmacist is permitted to provide only one supply every six months. If more frequent treatment to delay periods is required or period delay of more than 16 days is needed, a doctor should be consulted.