Norethindrone Acetate

Introduction

Written by Rachel Maynard, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Christina Bookwalter PharmD, MS MEd, BCPS, BCACP
Updated on January 9, 2024

Norethindrone (nor ETH in drone) is a generic medication prescribed to prevent pregnancy and to manage symptoms caused by a hormonal imbalance. Branded-generic versions of this drug include Nor-QD, Heather, Errin, and others. The cost of norethindrone with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved norethindrone to:

• prevent pregnancy
• treat secondary amenorrhea (lack of menstrual periods in people who previously had periods and aren’t pregnant)
• treat endometriosis
• treat unusual bleeding from the uterus due to a hormonal imbalance

These approved uses differ based on the strength of norethindrone you’re prescribed.

Read on to learn about norethindrone and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about norethindrone, including its uses, refer to this overview article, or talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

Cost of norethindrone

Like other medications, the cost of norethindrone can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much norethindrone costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for norethindrone” section.

Coupons for norethindrone

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of norethindrone. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for norethindrone

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization: If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of norethindrone. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for norethindrone. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re taking norethindrone long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Norethindrone is a generic medication. It’s an oral tablet that you swallow, and it comes in two strengths:

• norethindrone 0.35 milligrams (mg)
• norethindrone acetate 5 mg

There are several branded-generic versions of norethindrone 0.35 mg available, including Nor-QD, Jencycla, Heather, Errin, and others. Norethindrone acetate 5 mg is based on the brand-name versions Aygestin, Norlutate, and Norlutin, which are no longer available.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Usually, generic drugs are referred to by the name of their active ingredients. But some norethindrone medications come as branded-generic drugs, and they’re given a trade name by the drugmaker, such as Heather or Jencycla.

Generics and branded-generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

If your doctor has prescribed norethindrone but you’re interested in taking Nor-QD or another version, let your doctor know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of norethindrone compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about norethindrone and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about norethindrone.

How much does norethindrone cost without insurance?

Norethindrone’s cost without insurance depends on several factors. These include:

• the form you’re prescribed
• the dosage you’re prescribed
• the supply you’re prescribed, such as 30 days or 90 days
• any cost-saving coupons that may be available
• the pharmacy you use

Typically, your cost without insurance will be more than with insurance coverage.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about the cost of your norethindrone prescription. You may want to check with a few pharmacies for the best price without insurance.

If you’re prescribed norethindrone 0.35 mg to prevent pregnancy, see this article for ways to get free or low cost birth control.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about norethindrone

This article provides cost information related to norethindrone. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for norethindrone.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Does my insurance cover the cost of norethindrone?
• Are there other lower cost drugs that could be used for birth control or to treat my condition?
• How can I get free or low cost birth control?
• What options are available if I can’t afford my medication?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Norethindrone acetate tablets, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/64cb920c-36e8-4d62-9d08-3ddf3989d313/spl-doc
• Norethindrone tablets, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/dac4a7ea-3a97-4cda-acab-a9a59aa04199/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.