Can Norithisterone be prescribed by GPs?

[Shopaholic100]

Does anyone know? I was prescribed this last month to delay my period by my GP and my daughter was told today that GPS are not allowed to prescribe it. Can anyone clarify?

I've had it from my GP, no problem.

I was on it for 15 years so it definitely can be.

I've had it on prescription a couple of times, both to try and control heavy prolonged bleeding and also to period delay before an event. I've also bought it online from the chemist (from memory I think it was Lloyds pharmacy).

I was prescribed it by my GP for my wedding back in 2019. The guidelines may have changed but I can’t see why that would be the case.

Yes. Dd aged 19 has had it a few times from the GP.

If your GP won't offer it, you can get it via private prescription from Superdrug.

My DRs Surgery prescribed it for me last month. Today they said the Dr should not have prescribed it and he would be fined. Just wanted to check if this was true and I have lost faith in my DRs surgery. Can any GPs confirm if this is correct? The Dr told me he was prescribing 60 tablets, when I’ve opened my prescription only 30😬. He didn’t even tell me. Sorry just so annoyed.

Yes my mother gets them every year. You can also just do it privately on Superdrug or boots or simply meds all verified to prescribe.

I've been taking GP-prescribed Norethisterone every day for about four years continuously. Baffled as to why you've been told they're not allowed to prescribe it! Has something changed in the prescribing guidelines?

I work in a GP surgery. We had notification recently that it is no longer allowed to be prescribed.

If you search on here you will find lots of us have suffered really unpleasant mental side effects from using it to delay a period, that may be why gps are now reluctant to prescribe. I think I read there is a similar drug that can be prescribed which has less effect on mood etc.

Medoxyprogesterone or Provera is the name of the alternate drug that a poster mentioned.

Different trusts have some different rules so it may depend on your trust. I have had it prescribed for debilitating periods around 6/7 years ago.

Four years ago I got it through my GP but now I just get it online. Much easier!

I just buy it online now, a lot easier.

I used to be prescribed it for very heavy periods but it did have an awful effect on my mood.

There was an alert a couple of years ago about blood clot risk - if you are someone for whom the combined pill wouldn't be safe, you shouldn't have NET and I'd give Provera instead.

from who?

Yes. I get mine online via Boots though.

I was prescribed some this week

I got given provera instead last week, used to be northisterone I was given . Provera's supposedly less horrific in terms of side effects, fingers crossed anyway .

Thanks for your comments, looks like many have had NHS prescriptions from the Doctors. I’m not sure why they’re saying they get fined. I’m waiting for a call back. Both the Lloyds and Superdrug websites say they are available with an NHS prescription. Under the current cost of living crisis they should not be forcing patients to pay for private prescriptions for things which are available with a NHS prescription.

Fingers crossed@havinggivingsharingandreceiving .

Has anyone else used Provera? How did you find it?

I put up thread - different local trusts have different policies.

from meds management? that's advisory only, I generally ignore them!