What is Heather? Uses, warnings & side effects

Please read the Patient Information sheet and follow the instructions.

Take Heather tablets at the same time each day. 

Have backup contraception ready.

Take one pill daily at the same time every day.

• Do not miss a dose by more than three hours.

• Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Take the first tablet (number 1) on the day your period starts.

• If you cannot take it on the first day of your period, use backup birth control for 48 hours after taking the first pill.

• For women switching from another birth control pill, take the first Heather tablet the day after taking the last pill of the previous prescription.

• Women who are fully breastfeeding should start Heather six weeks after delivery.

• Women who are partially breastfeeding should start Heather four weeks after delivery.

• When first starting a blister pack, place the day label strip at the top of the blister pack. 

Take all pills in the blister pack, one per day.

• All the pills in the pack are yellow, including the inert pills.

• Take the first pill in the next pack the day after taking the last pill (number 28) from the previous pack.

• The first pill should be taken on the same day of the week each cycle.

If you vomit soon after taking a tablet, use backup birth control for 48 hours.

A missed dose is any dose that is taken three hours after its regularly scheduled time.

Take the dose as soon as it’s remembered.

Return to the regular dosing schedule.

Use backup birth control for the next 48 hours.

If you are not sure a dose has been missed, continue taking pills from the blister pack but use backup birth control for at least 48 hours.

While most women can take progestin-only birth control pills safely, some women cannot take the drug because of safety concerns. 

Heather cannot be prescribed to pregnant women and must be stopped immediately when a woman becomes pregnant. When taking Heather, immediately tell the prescriber if:

• You get pregnant

• Suspect you may be pregnant

• Miss two periods in a row

• Miss one period in a cycle where Heather doses have been missed

• Experience morning sickness

Heather is also contraindicated in women who have:

• Breast cancer

• Vaginal bleeding that a doctor has not checked

• Liver disease or liver tumors

• Known allergies to norethindrone or any of the other ingredients in the tablets

Immediately stop taking Heather if you are pregnant or suspect you’re pregnant.

Stop taking Heather tablets if you are planning to become pregnant.

This medicine may cause serious problems, including:

• Increased risk of breast cancer or cervical cancer

• Liver problems, including liver tumors

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Ovarian cysts

• Menstrual changes

Heather does not provide protection from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections. Use barrier control to prevent infection. 

To prevent possible side effects, keep all appointments with the prescriber and other healthcare providers.

• Women taking oral contraceptives should have a yearly physical examination.

Tell all other healthcare providers treating you about this medicine.

To avoid pregnancy or other problems, tell the prescriber about all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements regularly taken.

Tell other doctors or prescribers about Heather before starting new drugs. 

Some drugs significantly reduce the effectiveness of norethindrone tablets, increasing the risk of pregnancy. These include:

• Drugs that treat seizures (including barbiturates)

• Drugs that treat tuberculosis

• Antiviral medications called protease inhibitors

• St. John’s wort

• Aprepitant, armodafinil, bosentan, griseofulvin, mifepristone, modafinil, Paxlovid, tizanidine

Use backup contraception when these drugs are used. If you are uncertain, ask the prescriber or pharmacist.