Utovlan Tablets

Buy Utovlan 5mg Tablets Online

By Clinical Pharmacist Hywel McGlinchy

You can buy Utovlan tablets online from our UK registered prescribing service. Utovlan can be used to delay your period if you are not taking an oral contraceptive. It can be used to delay periods for up to 17 days, which can be useful if your period is due at an inconvenient time.

You will need to complete an online medical assessment prior to ordering. Our GPs can then assess whether Utovlan is safe and suitable to prescribe for you. Delivery options are available at checkout.

About Utovlan

Utovlan contains the synthetic hormone, norethisterone. It is often used to delay periods but it can be used to treat other conditions such as breast cancer and painful periods. The active ingredient is the generic medicine Norethisterone 5mg. 

How does Utovlan work?

Utovlan works by keeping progesterone levels high. This, in turn, stops your womb lining from shedding, and so delays your period. Utovlan is a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone, meaning it works by mimicking progesterone.

Utovlan is not a method of contraception and does not prevent pregnancy. It is therefore important that you should continue to use contraceptive methods if you do not want to become pregnant. Utovlan should not be taken if you are already taking the combined contraceptive pill. You can, however, take it while taking the mini pill. 

Utovlan 5mg is available in a pack of 30 or 60 tablets. Utovlan is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

How to take it

Take one Norethisterone tablet three times a day, starting 3 days before you expect your period to begin. Ideally, the tablets should be taken at the same time each day to ensure they are effective. You should take one pill in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening. 

Your period should start within 2-3 days after you stop taking Utovlan.

Utovlan Side Effects

Utovlan is generally a well-tolerated medication, and most women will not experience side effects.

With any medication you take however, there is always a risk of side effects occurring. Some are more common than others. If the side effects do not subside, you should report them to us, your GP or your pharmacist.

Some possible side effects include bleeding or spotting, breast pain or tenderness, headaches, dry mouth, nausea and diarrhoea.

You can read the patient information leaflet for further information on side effects. Taking Utovlan to stop periods is usually a short term course of tablets. This means you are less likely to experience side effects than if you were to take Utovlan for a long time for another condition (such as breast cancer).

An allergic reaction is a more serious but very rare side effect and you should seek medical attention immediately if you notice signs of an allergic reaction such as a skin rash, swelling of the tongue, and wheezing.

Blood Clots

Taking Utovlan (and some other hormonal medicines) can slightly raise your risk of developing a blood clot. This is more likely if you are overweight, have had a blood clot previously, or have a family history of blood clots. See the NHS page on blood clots to read about the possible symptoms of a clot.

You must stop taking the tablets and visit your local doctor or A+E immediately if you think you have a blood clot.

Warnings

Other conditions and Utovlan

Utovlan is not suitable for everyone to take. There are certain circumstances in which you should not take Utovlan. This includes anyone who is allergic to Utovlan (or any of the ingredients) and anyone who is pregnant.  

It should also not be taken by women with a personal or family history of blood clots or unexplained vaginal bleeding.

For further information, see the patient information leaflet.

Interactions with other medicines

A number of medicines can be affected by, or affect, Utovlan. Examples include certain antibiotics, anti-epilepsy medicines and medicines used to treat HIV.

For a full list of interacting medicines, see the patient information leaflet. If you take any of these medicines, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Utovlan.

Utovlan Alternatives

Utovlan is the branded version of the generic medicine norethisterone 5mg. The generic version of a medicine is usually cheaper than the branded version, and our doctors are also able to prescribe norethisterone online.

Apart from taking Utovlan or norethisterone, the other way to delay your period is to take two packets of the combined pill back to back. The NHS page on delaying your period has further information on this technique.

FAQ

When can I use the contraceptive pill to delay my period?

Most combined contraceptive pills can delay your period if you have already been taking the pill for a number of weeks. However, you may still experience some breakthrough bleeding. 

Can I delay my period?

Yes. Norethisterone is a prescription medication that can be used to delay your period for as long as 17 days. You can speak to your GP or order Utovlan online from our online doctor and online pharmacy service.

Can I use period delay tablets to manage heavy periods?

No. These tablets are only intended to delay your period temporarily, and cannot be used as a regular treatment for heavy periods.

Can you take Utovlan whilst on the pill?

If you’re taking the combined pill, you can delay your period by avoiding a break between packs. This is not possible if you’re taking the mini pill (progestogen-only pill) as a contraceptive but you may be suitable to take Utovlan. Contact your doctor for further advice.

What if my period does not return after 3 days?

Your period should return like normal, 3 days after you have taken your last period delay tablet. If it does not, and you have had sex during the time you were using the tablets, you may have become pregnant. Check with your doctor.

Are there any side effects from using period delay tablets?

Some women do experience minor side effects, but this is uncommon as the tablets are usually only used for a brief time. Prolonged usage increases the chances of side effects. Bloating and stomach problems sometimes occur, and changes in libido also are sometimes experienced by users of norethisterone.

What exactly is norethisterone?

Norethisterone is a synthetic version of a sex hormone produced by the body. This belongs to the group of hormones known as progestogens.

How many period delay tablets do I have to take every day?

Take one Norethisterone tablet three times a day, starting 3 days before you expect your period to begin. Ideally, the tablets should be taken at the same time each day to ensure they are effective. You should take one pill in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening.

Will period delay tablets stop me from becoming pregnant?

No, norethisterone is not a contraceptive. You would have to use a method of birth control in order to avoid becoming pregnant.

Is it safe to take period delay pills?

Period delay tablets are commonly prescribed by GPs. However, they may not be suitable for everyone to take. See the patient information leaflet for information about who shouldn’t take norethisterone.

Can I buy Utovlan over the counter?

Utovlan, in the UK, is a prescription-only medicine which means it cannot be bought over the counter. However, you can request to order it online from our online doctor service. Our doctors can prescribe the medicine online, if it is suitable for you, and send a prescription to our online pharmacy. From here, it will be delivered to your address via Royal Mail.

Summary

Prices

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.