Norethisterone was discovered in 1951 and was one of the first progestins to be developed.[19][20][21] It was first introduced for medical use on its own in 1957 and was introduced in combination with an estrogen for use as a birth control pill in 1963.[21][22] It is sometimes referred to as a "first-generation" progestin.[23][24] Like desogestrel and Norgestrel, Norethisterone is available as a progestogen-only "mini pill" for birth control.[25][26][27] Norethisterone is marketed widely throughout the world.[28] It is available as a generic medication.[29] In 2022, it was the 135th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 4million prescriptions.[30][31] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[32]
^Cite error: The named reference MicronorLabel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abStanczyk FZ (September 2002). "Pharmacokinetics and potency of progestins used for hormone replacement therapy and contraception". Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders. 3 (3): 211–24. doi:10.1023/A:1020072325818. PMID12215716. S2CID27018468.
^Fotherby K (August 1996). "Bioavailability of orally administered sex steroids used in oral contraception and hormone replacement therapy". Contraception. 54 (2): 59–69. doi:10.1016/0010-7824(96)00136-9. PMID8842581.
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^ abcdTaitel HF, Kafrissen ME (1995). "Norethindrone – a review of therapeutic applications". International Journal of Fertility and Menopausal Studies. 40 (4): 207–23. PMID8520623.
^Grimes DA, Lopez LM, O'Brien PA, Raymond EG (November 2013). "Progestin-only pills for contraception". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (11): CD007541. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007541.pub3. PMID24226383.
^Hussain SF (February 2004). "Progestogen-only pills and high blood pressure: is there an association? A literature review". Contraception. 69 (2): 89–97. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2003.09.002. PMID14759612.
^World Health Organization (2023). The selection and use of essential medicines 2023: web annex A: World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 23rd list. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/371090. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2023.02.