Norethindrone Acetate

Prescription

Brand names: Gallifrey

Dosage Form

Tablet

Route

ORAL

Manufacturer

Xiromed LLC

About This Medication

DESCRIPTION Gallifrey (Norethindrone acetate tablets, USP), 5 mg oral tablets. Gallifrey, (17-hydroxy-19-nor-17α-pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one acetate), a synthetic, orally active progestin, is the acetic acid ester of norethindrone. It is a white, or creamy white, crystalline powder. Gallifrey tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: lactose anhydrous, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose. The USP Dissolution Test is pending. Norethindrone Acetate Structural Formula

Active Ingredients

Ingredient	Strength
Norethindrone Acetate	-

Indications & Usage

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Gallifrey (Norethindrone Acetate Tablets, USP), 5 mg Gallifrey is indicated for the treatment of secondary amenorrhea, endometriosis, and abnormal uterine bleeding due to hormonal imbalance in the absence of organic pathology, such as submucous fibroids or uterine cancer. Gallifrey is not intended, recommended or approved to be used with concomitant estrogen therapy in postmenopausal women for endometrial protection.

Dosage & Administration

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Gallifrey (Norethindrone Acetate Tablets, USP), 5 mg Therapy with Gallifrey tablets must be adapted to the specific indications and therapeutic response of the individual patient. Secondary amenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding due to hormonal imbalance in the absence of organic pathology: 2.5 mg to 10 mg Gallifrey may be given daily for 5 to 10 days to produce secretory transformation of an endometrium that has been adequately primed with either endogenous or exogenous estrogen. Progestin withdrawal bleeding usually occurs within three to seven days after discontinuing Gallifrey therapy. Patients with a past history of recurrent episodes of abnormal uterine bleeding may benefit from planned menstrual cycling with Gallifrey. Endometriosis: Initial daily dosage of 5 mg Gallifrey for two weeks. Dosage should be increased by 2.5 mg per day every two weeks until 15 mg per day of Gallifrey is reached. Therapy may be held at this level for six to nine months or until annoying breakthrough bleeding demands temporary termination.

Side Effects Overview

ADVERSE REACTIONS See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS . The following adverse reactions have been observed in women taking progestins: Breakthrough bleeding Spotting Change in menstrual flow Amenorrhea Edema Changes in weight (decreases, increases) Changes in the cervical squamo-columnar junction and cervical secretions Cholestatic jaundice Rash (allergic) with and without pruritus Melasma or chloasma Clinical depression Acne Breast enlargement/tenderness Headache/migraine Urticaria Abnormalities of liver tests (i.e., AST, ALT, Bilirubin) Decreased HDL cholesterol and increased LDL/HDL ratio Mood swings Nausea Insomnia Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions Thrombotic and thromboembolic events (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, retinal vascular thrombosis, cerebral thrombosis and embolism) Optic neuritis (which may lead to partial or complete loss of vision)

Warnings & Precautions

WARNINGS 1. Cardiovascular disorders Patients with risk factors for arterial vascular disease (e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity) and/or venous thromboembolism (e.g., personal history or family history of VTE, obesity, and systemic lupus erythematosus) should be managed appropriately. 2. Visual abnormalities Discontinue medication pending examination if there is a sudden partial or complete loss of vision or if there is sudden onset of proptosis, diplopia, or migraine. If examination reveals papilledema or retinal vascular lesions, medication should be discontinued.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Known or suspected pregnancy. There is no indication for norethindrone acetate tablets in pregnancy. (See PRECAUTIONS .) Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding Known, suspected or history of cancer of the breast Active deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or history of these conditions Active or recent (e.g., within the past year) arterial thromboembolic disease (e.g., stroke, myocardial infarction) Impaired liver function or liver disease As a diagnostic test for pregnancy Hypersensitivity to any of the drug components

Pharmacokinetics

PHARMACOKINETICS Absorption Norethindrone acetate is completely and rapidly deacetylated to norethindrone (NET) after oral administration, and the disposition of norethindrone acetate is indistinguishable from that of orally administered norethindrone. Norethindrone acetate is rapidly absorbed from norethindrone acetate tablets, with maximum plasma concentration of norethindrone generally occurring at about 2 hours post-dose. The pharmacokinetic parameters of norethindrone following single oral administration of norethindrone acetate tablets in 29 healthy female volunteers are summarized in Table 1. Table 1 Pharmacokinetic Parameters after a Single Dose of Norethindrone Acetate Tablets in Healthy Women AUC = area under the curve, C max = maximum plasma concentration, t max = time at maximum plasma concentration, t 1/2 = half-life, SD = standard deviation Norethindrone acetate tablets (n=29) Arithmetic Mean ± SD Norethindrone (NET) AUC (0-inf)(ng/ml*h) 166.9 ± 56.28 C max (ng/ml) 26.19 ± 6.19 t max (h) 1.83 ± 0.58 t 1/2 (h) 8.51 ± 2.19 Figure 1. Mean Plasma Concentration Profile after a Single Dose of 5 mg Administered to 29 Healthy Female Volunteers under Fasting Conditions Figure 1. Mean Plasma Concentration Profile after a Single Dose of 5 mg Administered to 29 Healthy Female Volunteers under Fasting Conditions Effect of Food The effect of food administration on the pharmacokinetics of norethindrone acetate tablets has not been studied. Distribution Norethindrone is 36% bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and 61% bound to albumin. Volume of distribution of norethindrone is about 4 L/kg. Metabolism Norethindrone undergoes extensive biotransformation, primarily via reduction, followed by sulfate and glucuronide conjugation. The majority of metabolites in the circulation are sulfates, with glucuronides accounting for most of the urinary metabolites. Excretion Plasma clearance value for norethindrone is approximately 0.4 L/hr/kg. Norethindrone is excreted in both urine and feces, primarily as metabolites. The mean terminal elimination half-life of norethindrone following a single dose administration of norethindrone acetate tablets is approximately 9 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Gallifrey (Norethindrone Acetate Tablets, USP), 5 mg Gallifrey is indicated for the treatment of secondary amenorrhea, endometriosis, and abnormal uterine bleeding due to hormonal imbalance in the absence of organic pathology, such as submucous fibroids or uterine cancer. Gallifrey is not intended, recommended or approved to be used with concomitant estrogen therapy in postmenopausal women for endometrial protection.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Gallifrey (Norethindrone Acetate Tablets, USP), 5 mg Therapy with Gallifrey tablets must be adapted to the specific indications and therapeutic response of the individual patient. Secondary amenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding due to hormonal imbalance in the absence of organic pathology: 2.5 mg to 10 mg Gallifrey may be given daily for 5 to 10 days to produce secretory transformation of an endometrium that has been adequately primed with either endogenous or exogenous estrogen. Progestin withdrawal bleeding usually …

WARNINGS 1. Cardiovascular disorders Patients with risk factors for arterial vascular disease (e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity) and/or venous thromboembolism (e.g., personal history or family history of VTE, obesity, and systemic lupus erythematosus) should be managed appropriately. 2. Visual abnormalities Discontinue medication pending examination if there is a sudden partial or complete loss of vision or if there is sudden onset of proptosis, diplopia, or migraine. If examination reveals papilledema or retinal vascular lesions, medication should …

CONTRAINDICATIONS Known or suspected pregnancy. There is no indication for norethindrone acetate tablets in pregnancy. (See PRECAUTIONS .) Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding Known, suspected or history of cancer of the breast Active deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or history of these conditions Active or recent (e.g., within the past year) arterial thromboembolic disease (e.g., stroke, myocardial infarction) Impaired liver function or liver disease As a diagnostic test for pregnancy Hypersensitivity to any of the drug components

Norethindrone Acetate is a prescription medication. You will need a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.

Similar Tablet Products

Impatiens Glandulifera, Helianthemum Nummularium, …

Zinc

Acetaminophen, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride

Nifurtimox

Arnica Montana, Bryonia, Carduus …

Azilsartan Kamedoxomil

Browse all Tablet products →

References & Data Sources

• DailyMed — Norethindrone Acetate drug label (National Library of Medicine)
• openFDA — Norethindrone Acetate label data (U.S. Food & Drug Administration)
• RxNorm — RXCUI 1000405 (NLM Normalized Drug Names)
• NDC Directory — Norethindrone Acetate (FDA National Drug Code)

Medical Disclaimer

The information on this page is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication.

Data sources: DailyMed (NLM), openFDA, MFDS