Prescription medicine
Norethindrone Brand names: Errin, Affodel, Lyleq, Incassia, Meleya; first approved as Nor-Qd
Norethindrone (Nor-Qd) is a prescription medicine with an FDA approval on record since 1973. FDA's NDC Directory lists it from 18 generic labelers, and pharmacies paid $0.290 per norethindrone 5 mg tablet in the October 7, 2026 NADAC survey.
- Generic listed
Check it at the source: the norethindrone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 31, 2026, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA); the NDA 17060 record on Drugs@FDA; every norethindrone label on DailyMed.
Highlights of the record
FDA label of January 31, 2026; NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA and Orange Book, October 8, 2026; NADAC October 7, 2026
Used for
From the label: indications and usageIndications Progestin-only oral contraceptives are indicated for the prevention of pregnancy.
Forms and strengths
- 0.35 mg
- 5 mg
Tablet; kit.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 2, 1973 Nor-Qd, Teva Branded Pharm; Drugs@FDA’s file, where older or withdrawn approvals can be missing
- Generic approvals
- 20 first May 25, 2001; 18 with a marketed status in Drugs@FDA
- Labelers listed (NDC)
- 19 of which 18 under generic applications, 0 under brand applications, repackagers included
Supply and safety
- Pharmacy cost (NADAC)
- $0.290 per tablet Norethindrone 5 mg tablet
- Shortage (FDA)
- No current entry
- Recalls by its makers (FDA)
- No recall recorded
- FAERS reports
- 5,466 through July 30, 2026
What is norethindrone used for?
From the label: indications and usageIndications Progestin-only oral contraceptives are indicated for the prevention of pregnancy. 2. Efficacy If used perfectly, the first-year failure rate for progestin-only oral contraceptives is 0.3%. However, the typical failure rate is estimated to be closer to 9%, due to late or omitted pills. Table 1 lists the pregnancy rates for users of all major methods of contraception. Table 1: Percentage of Women Experiencing an Unintended Pregnancy During the First Year of Typical Use and the First Year of Perfect Use of Contraception and the Percentage Continuing Use at the End of the First Year. United States. […]
Conditions named in the indications of norethindrone's FDA labels, with every medicine labeled for each:
FDA pharmacologic class: Progestin.
Source: FDA drug label (Norethindrone), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA, effective January 31, 2026 (SPL set 0d2f8fea-3675-40d2-afd9-9fcb148dbd4b), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
Is there a generic for norethindrone (Nor-Qd)?
The FDA approved the first generic norethindrone on May 25, 2001. 20 generic applications are approved; 18 of them carry a current (not discontinued) marketing status in Drugs@FDA; that status is not evidence that the generic is on sale.
FDA's NDC Directory lists norethindrone from 18 labelers under a generic (ANDA) application. A listing means the company has registered the product for sale; it does not show that every pharmacy stocks it.
- 1973 earliest approval on file
- 2001 first generic approved
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory and the Orange Book (openFDA bulk files, October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay for norethindrone (Nor-Qd)?
In CMS's NADAC survey of October 7, 2026, pharmacies paid $0.290 per Norethindrone 5 mg tablet, down 4% from $0.303 on October 8, 2025. The chart's scale runs from the lowest to the highest price shown, not from zero. NADAC is what retail pharmacies paid their wholesalers, per unit, in CMS's monthly survey; what a patient pays depends on insurance and the pharmacy.
- Norethindrone 5 mg tablet (generic)
| Strength and form | Brand or generic | Pharmacy cost | 30 tablets, or one pen or vial | 12-month change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camila 0.35 mg tablet | Generic | $0.0924 per tablet | $2.77 | +1% |
| Deblitane 0.35 mg tablet | Generic | $0.0924 per tablet | $2.77 | +1% |
| Emzahh 0.35 mg tablet | Generic | $0.0924 per tablet | $2.77 | +1% |
| Errin 0.35 mg tablet | Generic | $0.0924 per tablet | $2.77 | +1% |
| Gallifrey 5 mg tablet | Generic | $0.290 per tablet | $8.70 | -4% |
| Heather 0.35 mg tablet | Generic | $0.0924 per tablet | $2.77 | +1% |
| Incassia 0.35 mg tablet | Generic | $0.0924 per tablet | $2.77 | +1% |
| Jencycla 0.35 mg tablet | Generic | $0.0924 per tablet | $2.77 | +1% |
| Lyleq 0.35 mg tablet | Generic | $0.0924 per tablet | $2.77 | +1% |
| Meleya 0.35 mg tablet | Generic | $0.0924 per tablet | $2.77 | +1% |
| Nora-be tablet | Generic | $0.0924 per tablet | $2.77 | +1% |
| Norethindrone 0.35 mg tablet | Generic | $0.0924 per tablet | $2.77 | +1% |
| Norethindrone 5 mg tablet | Generic | $0.290 per tablet | $8.70 | -4% |
| Orquidea 0.35 mg tablet | Generic | $0.0924 per tablet | $2.77 | +1% |
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price
What does the norethindrone label say about other medicines?
The norethindrone label names 25 other medicines in its interaction, contraindication or warning sections. The labels of 35 other medicines name norethindrone. The sentences are the labels' own; a label lists what its studies and reports found, not every interaction.
| Medicine named | Section | What the label says |
|---|---|---|
| Aprepitant | drug interactions | Some drugs or herbal products that may decrease the effectiveness of HCs include efavirenz, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, rifampicin, rifabutin, rufinamide, aprepitant, and products containing St. John’s wort. |
| Atazanavir | drug interactions | In contrast, significant increases in systemic exposure of the progestin have been noted in cases of co-administration with certain other HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., indinavir and atazanavir/ritonavir) and with other non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., etravirine). |
| Bosentan | drug interactions | Some drugs or herbal products that may decrease the effectiveness of HCs include efavirenz, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, rifampicin, rifabutin, rufinamide, aprepitant, and products containing St. John’s wort. |
| Carbamazepine | drug interactions | Some drugs or herbal products that may decrease the effectiveness of HCs include efavirenz, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, rifampicin, rifabutin, rufinamide, aprepitant, and products containing St. John’s wort. |
| Cyclosporine | drug interactions | Consequently, systemic concentrations may either increase (for example, cyclosporine) or decrease. |
| Darunavir | drug interactions | Significant decreases in systemic concentrations of progestin have been noted in cases of co-administration with some HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., nelfinavir, ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir, (fos)amprenavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, and tipranavir/ritonavir), some HCV protease inhibitors (e.g., boceprevir and … |
| Efavirenz | drug interactions | Some drugs or herbal products that may decrease the effectiveness of HCs include efavirenz, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, rifampicin, rifabutin, rufinamide, aprepitant, and products containing St. John’s wort. |
| Etravirine | drug interactions | In contrast, significant increases in systemic exposure of the progestin have been noted in cases of co-administration with certain other HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., indinavir and atazanavir/ritonavir) and with other non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., etravirine). |
| Felbamate | drug interactions | Some drugs or herbal products that may decrease the effectiveness of HCs include efavirenz, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, rifampicin, rifabutin, rufinamide, aprepitant, and products containing St. John’s wort. |
| Fluconazole | drug interactions | Substances increasing the systemic concentrations of HCs: Co-administration of certain HCs and strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, grapefruit juice, or ketoconazole may increase the systemic concentrations of progestins, including norethindrone. |
| Griseofulvin | drug interactions | Some drugs or herbal products that may decrease the effectiveness of HCs include efavirenz, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, rifampicin, rifabutin, rufinamide, aprepitant, and products containing St. John’s wort. |
| Itraconazole | drug interactions | Substances increasing the systemic concentrations of HCs: Co-administration of certain HCs and strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, grapefruit juice, or ketoconazole may increase the systemic concentrations of progestins, including norethindrone. |
| Ketoconazole | drug interactions | Substances increasing the systemic concentrations of HCs: Co-administration of certain HCs and strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, grapefruit juice, or ketoconazole may increase the systemic concentrations of progestins, including norethindrone. |
| Lopinavir and ritonavir | drug interactions | Significant decreases in systemic concentrations of progestin have been noted in cases of co-administration with some HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., nelfinavir, ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir, (fos)amprenavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, and tipranavir/ritonavir), some HCV protease inhibitors (e.g., boceprevir and … |
Every other medicine the norethindrone label names
| Medicine named | Section | What the label says |
|---|---|---|
| Nelfinavir | drug interactions | Significant decreases in systemic concentrations of progestin have been noted in cases of co-administration with some HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., nelfinavir, ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir … |
| Nevirapine | drug interactions | … telaprevir), and some non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., nevirapine, efavirenz). |
| Oxcarbazepine | drug interactions | … phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, rifampicin, rifabutin, rufinamide, aprepitant, and products containing St. John’s wort. |
| Phenytoin | drug interactions | Some drugs or herbal products that may decrease the effectiveness of HCs include efavirenz, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, rifampicin … |
| Rifabutin | drug interactions | … carbamazepine, bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, rifampicin, rifabutin, rufinamide, aprepitant, and products containing St. John’s wort. |
| Rifampin | drug interactions | This could result in unintended pregnancy or breakthrough bleeding. Examples include rifampin, barbiturates, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, and … |
| Ritonavir | drug interactions | … co-administration with some HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., nelfinavir, ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir, (fos)amprenavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, and tipranavir/ritonavir), some HCV protease … |
| Rufinamide | drug interactions | … bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, rifampicin, rifabutin, rufinamide, aprepitant, and products containing St. John’s wort. |
| Topiramate | drug interactions | … phenylbutazone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, and griseofulvin. b. |
| Ulipristal | drug interactions | Interactions between ulipristal and hormonal contraceptives Effectiveness of progestin-containing hormonal contraceptives and emergency contraceptive ulipristal acetate may be decreased if … |
| Voriconazole | drug interactions | … HCs and strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, grapefruit juice, or ketoconazole may increase the systemic concentrations of progestins, including … |
Other labels that name norethindrone
Source: FDA drug label (Norethindrone), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA, effective January 31, 2026 (SPL set 0d2f8fea-3675-40d2-afd9-9fcb148dbd4b), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What do FAERS reports show for norethindrone?
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System holds 5,466 reports that list norethindrone among the medicines taken, through July 30, 2026, each a report of something that happened, not proof the medicine caused it; 83 are coded as a death and 971 as a hospital stay. Counts follow how widely a medicine is used and watched, and they are not a measure of how risky it is.
Reports received each year
The most reported reactions
Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) via openFDA, reports through July 30, 2026
What else is labeled for the same conditions as norethindrone?
4 other medicines are given the same way (oral) and in the same FDA class as norethindrone or labeled mainly for the same use (birth control), the same class first. Birth control lists all 24 medicines labeled for it, by any route. They are listed as records, not as substitutes: whether one can replace another is a prescriber's decision.
| Medicine | Shared indication | Generic labelers (oral) | Pharmacy cost | Shortage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levonorgestrel | Birth control | 33 labelers | $6.33 per tablet 1.5 mg tablet | No current entry |
| Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel | Birth control | 4 labelers | $0.154 per tablet 28 tablet | No current entry |
| Ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel | Birth control | 2 labelers | $0.302 per tablet 28 tablet | No current entry |
| Ulipristal | Birth control | none listed | $37.10 per tablet 30 mg tablet | No current entry |
Every medicine labeled for the same conditions as norethindrone
Source: FDA drug labels (indications), NDC Directory, NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages (October 8, 2026)
How does norethindrone compare with medicines for the same use?
2 side-by-side pages set norethindrone beside a medicine whose label shares a use: approvals, generics, pharmacy cost, warnings and supply.
What next?
- Alternatives to norethindrone
- 4 medicines for the same use
- Other progestins
- the pharmacologic class, with prices and generics
- Norethindrone side effects
- the label's list beside FAERS reports
- Check an interaction
- what two or more labels say about each other