Aygestin is a brand-name prescription drug containing a progesterone called norethindrone, a female sex hormone commonly found in birth control pills. Aygestin, however, is not a birth control pill—the norethindrone dose is much higher than it is in oral contraceptives. Instead, Aygestin is used to treat serious gynecological conditions such as endometriosis. Because of the high dose, Aygestin has a greater risk of causing serious side effects.
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Aygestin overview
BRAND NAMES:
Aygestin
Generic Names:
Norethindrone acetate
Uses:
Treats endometriosis, secondary amenorrhea, and abnormal uterine bleeding.
Therapeutic Classes:
Progestin, endocrine-metabolic agent
Forms:
Tablet
How it’s taken:
By mouth
What is Aygestin used for?
Aygestin is a high-dose progesterone used to treat endometriosis, a condition in which the tissues that line the inside of the uterus are found outside around the abdomen or pelvis. Aygestin is also FDA-approved to treat abnormal uterine bleeding and secondary amenorrhea, a condition in which women miss periods several months in a row without being pregnant.
What form(s) does Aygestin come in
Tablet
5 mg
What are common Aygestin doses?
For endometriosis: 15 mg per day for 6–9 months
For secondary amenorrhea: 2.5–10 mg per day for 5–10 days
For abnormal uterine bleeding: 2.5–10 mg per day for 5–10 days
Common Aygestin prescriptions
Aygestin
5mg tablet
How to take Aygestin
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
Please read the Patient Information leaflet that comes packaged with this medicine.
Take the tablets as instructed.
Unlike birth control pills, Aygestin is packaged in bottles. You do not need to take numbered doses in order.
The tablets may be scored to allow for smaller (2.5 mg) doses. Have a pharmacist or other healthcare provider show you how to divide tablets.
Store the tablets at room temperature in the original light-resistant container.
What to do if you miss a dose of Aygestin
Ask the prescribing healthcare provider what to do if a dose is missed.
Aygestin contraindications
This medicine is not right for everyone.
Do not use it if you are:
Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
Breastfeeding
Allergic to any ingredient in the medicine
Aygestin is also contraindicated in people with:
A history of blood clot problems
A history of breast cancer
Liver disease or liver damage
Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
Aygestin warnings
Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine, especially before medical or dental procedures.
Your doctor may need to regularly check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Do not use Aygestin if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, breastfeeding, or past menopause.
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following medical conditions:
Any current or past problems with blood clots
Breast cancer or a history of breast cancer
Liver problems
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Depression
Migraine headaches
A history of seizures
Heart problems
Kidney problems
Tell the doctor if you smoke. Smoking increases the risk of blood clots in people taking Aygestin.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Increased risk of blood clots, which can cause stroke, heart attack, vision loss, disability, or death
Increased risk of breast cancer
Depression
Vision changes or vision loss
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
High blood sugar
Fluid retention
Immediately stop taking Aygestin and call the doctor if you experience blurred vision, double vision, migraine, or loss of vision.
You might have spotting or irregular bleeding when you first start to use this medicine. Call your doctor if you think there is a problem, such as if you have heavy bleeding.
Aygestin can interfere with many important blood tests, so tell any doctor performing a blood test that you are taking Aygestin.
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.
Aygestin interactions
Aygestin’s prescribing information lists no drug-drug interactions for doctors to be concerned about. Drug interactions do affect the ability of norethindrone birth control pills to prevent pregnancy, but this is not a concern with Aygestin.
Aygestin side effects
Serious side effects
Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect including:
Persistent leg pain
Trouble seeing, double vision, blurred vision, vision loss, severe headache
Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking
Chest pain or tightness, trouble breathing, coughing up blood
Dark urine or pale stools, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Some of Aygestin’s more serious adverse effects may not have symptoms. A healthcare professional will need to schedule regular visits and do blood tests to spot these problems:
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
High cholesterol
Less serious side effects
Nausea
Light spotting or bleeding between periods
Breast tenderness
Headache
Bloating
Stomach cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Hair loss
Sources:
Aygestin norethindrone acetate tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
Norethindrone tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
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