Norethindrone Acetate (Aygestin) Side Effects

Possible side effects of norethindrone acetate are listed below. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects if they are severe or do not go away in a few days.

• Irregular bleeding or spotting
• Increased or decreased menstrual flow
• Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts 
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Changes in body weight
• Sleep difficulties
• Brown patches in facial skin
• Acne
• Hair growth on the face
• Changes in libido (sexual interest)

Rarely, norethindrone acetate can cause more serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care if you develop the following serious symptoms:

• Bulging eyes or vision changes, including blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision
• Migraine headache
• Severe dizziness
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing up blood
• Heaviness in the chest
• Sudden sharp or crushing chest pain
• Slow or difficult speech, trouble speaking
• Dizziness or fainting
• Pain, swelling, warmth, or heaviness in the lower leg
• Weakness or numbness in a limb
• An unusual or allergic reaction with skin rash, hives, itching
• Allergic reactions with swelling in the arms, hands, lower legs, ankles, or feet
• Sudden, severe pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Mood swings or depression
• Missed menstrual periods

The above list may not include all the potential adverse effects of norethindrone acetate. Contact your healthcare professional if your side effects are unusual or severe or they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Norethindrone acetate (Aygestin) Overdose: In case of an overdose of norethindrone acetate, call your doctor immediately. You can also call your local poison control center, provincial poison control center, or the national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If a person cannot be awakened, has trouble breathing, has collapsed, or has had a seizure, call 911.

Source: FDA