Prescription medication · Progestin-Only Oral Contraceptive
norethindrone
Also sold as Camila, Errin. These pills are used to prevent pregnancy.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 5,342
- FDA reportsLightly reported
- 10
- InteractionsSeveral interactions
- $0.08
- Generic price (NADAC)
What the data shows
norethindrone (Camila) is a prescription Progestin-Only Oral Contraceptive, reported less often than most tracked drugs (5,342 FDA reports), with 10 documented drug interactions.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
norethindrone (Camila) is a prescription Progestin-Only Oral Contraceptive. These pills are used to prevent pregnancy.
Camila and Errin are progestin-only birth control pills. They help prevent pregnancy.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.08/unit
Generic Available
Yes (86 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
These pills are used to prevent pregnancy.
Common side effects
Nausea, Vomiting, Gastrointestinal symptoms (like cramps and bloating)
Key warnings
Cigarette smoking increases your risk of serious heart problems from birth control pills.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from norethindrone's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Camila and Errin contain a progestin hormone. This hormone prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). It also thickens cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg.
How to Take It
Take one pill every day, at the same time each day. You can take it with or without food. Start your next pack of pills the day after you finish your current pack. It is important to take the pill exactly as directed to prevent pregnancy.
This is a plain-language summary of norethindrone's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
These pills should not be taken if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. Talk to your doctor about other birth control options if you are breastfeeding.
This is a plain-language summary of norethindrone's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a pill, take it as soon as you remember. If you are more than 3 hours late, use a backup method of birth control for the next 48 hours.
This is a plain-language summary of norethindrone's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 5,342 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for norethindrone, by number of reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling sick to your stomach
449 reports
- Pain in your head
Pain in your head
424 reports
- Sudden feeling of warmth
Sudden feeling of warmth
370 reports
- Feeling tired
Feeling tired
322 reports
- Aching or soreness
Aching or soreness
308 reports
- Vaginal bleeding
Vaginal bleeding
278 reports
- Stomach pain
Stomach pain
268 reports
- Joint pain
Joint pain
228 reports
- Loose stools
Loose stools
224 reports
- Feeling lightheaded
Feeling lightheaded
221 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for norethindrone each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where norethindrone sits
norethindrone has more FDA adverse-event reports than 26% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is norethindrone; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 5,342 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
5,342
Reports Mentioning Death
80
1.5% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
945
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NAUSEA | 449 |
| 2 | HEADACHE | 424 |
| 3 | HOT FLUSH | 370 |
| 4 | FATIGUE | 322 |
| 6 | PAIN | 308 |
| 8 | VAGINAL HAEMORRHAGE | 278 |
| 9 | ABDOMINAL PAIN | 268 |
| 10 | ARTHRALGIA | 228 |
| 11 | DIARRHOEA | 224 |
| 12 | DIZZINESS | 221 |
| 13 | ANXIETY | 204 |
| 14 | MIGRAINE | 202 |
| 15 | DEPRESSION | 199 |
| 16 | VOMITING | 199 |
| 17 | PELVIC PAIN | 181 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Cigarette smoking increases your risk of serious heart problems from birth control pills. This risk is higher if you are over 35 and smoke. You should not take this medication if you are over 35 and smoke.
Known Drug Interactions
John's Wort (CYP450 inducer; P-gp inducer) Significantly Reduced Contraindicated Oral Contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (CYP2C19 Inhibition) Increased Monitoring for adverse reactions and toxicity related to voriconazole is recommended when coadministered with oral contraceptives. Oral Contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (CYP3A4 Inhibition) Increased Monitoring for adverse reactions related to oral contraceptives is recommended during coadministration.
Mechanism: Voriconazole slows down the process your body uses to get rid of the birth control pill. This can lead to higher levels of the birth control in your blood and increase your risk of side effects.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor you closely for any new or worsening side effects while you are taking both medications. You may need to report any unusual symptoms immediately.
Oral Contraceptives: May increase plasma levels of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol; consider this effect when selecting an oral contraceptive (7.3 ). Table 4: Atorvastatin Effects on Other Drugs Oral Contraceptives Clinical Impact: Co-administration of atorvastatin and an oral contraceptive increased plasma concentrations of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Mechanism: Taking atorvastatin can raise the levels of this hormone in your bloodstream.
What to do: Talk to your healthcare provider about how this might affect your choice of oral contraceptive.
Drug Interactions: Pharmacokinetic Parameters for Colchicine Tablets in the Presence of the Coadministered Drug Coadministered Drug Dose of Coadministered Drug (mg) Dose of Colchicine Tablets (mg) N % Change in Colchicine Concentrations from Baseline (Range: Min – Max) C max AUC 0-t Cyclosporine 100 mg single dose 0.6 mg single dose 23 270.0 (62.0 to 606.9) 259.0 (75.8 to 511.9) Clarithromycin 250 mg twice daily, 7 days 0.6 mg single dose 23 227.2 (65.7 to 591.1) 281.5 (88.7 to 851.6) Ketoconazole 200 mg twice daily, 5 days 0.6 mg single dose 24 101.7 (19.6 to 219.0) 212.2 (76.7 to 419.6)...
Mechanism: There is no known significant interaction between these two medications. They do not interfere with how each other is processed by the body.
What to do: You can typically take these medications together without any dose changes. Continue to follow your doctor's instructions for both.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Concomitant use with colesevelam hydrochloride may decrease the exposure of the following drugs: Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., cyclosporine), phenytoin, thyroid hormone replacement therapy, warfarin, oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, olmesartan medoxomil, and sulfonylureas (glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide). Oral Contraceptives Containing Ethinyl Estradiol and Norethindrone Clinical Impact: In vivo drug interactions studies showed a decrease in exposure of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone when coadministered with...
Mechanism: Colesevelam can reduce the amount of birth control medicine that enters your body. This happens because the drug can trap the birth control in your digestive system before it can work.
What to do: Talk to your doctor about the best timing for taking these medications to ensure your birth control stays effective. You may need to take them several hours apart.
ethinyl estradiol, norethindrone, drospirenone ↓ ethinyl estradiol ↓ norethindrone drospirenone: effects unknown For co-administration with drospirenone, clinical monitoring is recommended due to the potential for hyperkalemia.
Mechanism: Darunavir can lower the amount of birth control hormones in your body, which might make the medication less effective.
What to do: You should talk to your doctor about using an extra form of birth control to prevent pregnancy.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
What if I experience breakthrough bleeding?
Can this pill cause weight gain?
Will this pill protect me from STIs?
What should I do if I vomit after taking the pill?
Can I still get pregnant if I take this pill?
Will this pill affect my mood?
Can I take this pill if I have high blood pressure?
Does this pill have any effect on my cholesterol?
Can I take this pill if I have a history of blood clots?
What if I want to stop taking this pill?
What are the common side effects of norethindrone?
Does norethindrone interact with other medications?
What drug class is norethindrone?
Is norethindrone safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Progestin-Only Oral Contraceptive
Other drugs grouped near norethindrone - same-class peers and common alternatives.
abiraterone
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anastrozole
Arimidex
Anastrozole is a medicine used to treat breast cancer in women after menopause.
Compare with norethindrone →
bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens
Duavee
Duavee is a combination medicine containing estrogen and a drug that blocks estrogen in some parts of the body.
Compare with norethindrone →
cabergoline
Dostinex
Cabergoline is a medicine that helps lower the amount of prolactin in your body.
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clomiphene
Clomid, Serophene
Clomiphene citrate is a medicine that helps women ovulate.
Compare with norethindrone →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for norethindrone
The FDA label for norethindrone (sold under brand names such as Camila, Errin) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Progestin-Only Oral Contraceptive class. These pills are used to prevent pregnancy. Official labeling lists 9 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, Vomiting, Gastrointestinal symptoms (like cramps and bloating).
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 5,342 voluntary reports. The database also lists 10 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.08.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 29, 2026
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages