Brevinor

Brevinor is a combined oral contraceptive pill prescribed to women of reproductive age for the prevention of pregnancy. It contains two hormones, norethisterone (a progestogen) and ethinylestradiol (a synthetic oestrogen), that work together to prevent conception when taken correctly. Brevinor can also be prescribed to help regulate the menstrual cycle, making it a versatile option for women managing both contraception and cycle-related concerns. As a prescription-only medicine, it is available following a clinical consultation with a registered prescriber who will assess whether it is suitable for you individually.

Brevinor is a combined oral contraceptive pill, commonly referred to as the combined pill or simply the pill. It belongs to a class of hormonal contraception that contains both an oestrogen and a progestogen. Each Brevinor tablet contains 35 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 500 micrograms of norethisterone.

Brevinor is licensed in the United Kingdom for two indications: contraception and the treatment of menstrual disorders, including cycle regulation. It is a monophasic pill, meaning each active tablet contains the same dose of both hormones throughout the pack. This consistent dosing supports a stable hormonal routine across each cycle.

Combined pills have been widely used for decades and remain among the most studied forms of hormonal contraception. Brevinor is a recognised option within this class, commonly prescribed in primary care and online contraceptive services across the UK. Your prescriber will consider your full medical history, lifestyle, and any existing conditions before determining whether Brevinor is appropriate for you.

Brevinor works through three complementary mechanisms to prevent pregnancy.

Preventing Ovulation

The primary mechanism is the suppression of ovulation. The hormones in Brevinor act on the pituitary gland in the brain, preventing the release of the hormones that trigger egg release. When ovulation does not occur, there is no egg available to be fertilised.

Thickening Cervical Mucus

The progestogen component, norethisterone, causes the mucus in the cervix to thicken. This creates a barrier that makes it significantly more difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix and reach an egg.

Altering the Uterine Lining

Brevinor also alters the lining of the uterus (the endometrium), making it less receptive to implantation. This provides a further layer of contraceptive protection.

When taken correctly according to the instructions, the combined pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. This means that fewer than 1 woman in 100 who uses the pill correctly for a year will become pregnant. Typical use, which accounts for occasional missed pills or mistakes, results in a somewhat lower effectiveness rate. Your prescriber or pharmacist can advise you on how to maximise the effectiveness of Brevinor.

Cycle Regulation

Because Brevinor introduces a consistent hormonal cycle, it can help regulate periods in women experiencing irregular, heavy, or painful menstruation. Periods on Brevinor typically become lighter, more regular, and less painful for many women. These effects are a result of the hormonal environment the pill creates, not a side effect.

Always take Brevinor exactly as your prescriber has directed. Read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine before you start and keep it for reference throughout your treatment.

Each Brevinor pack contains 21 active tablets. Take one tablet each day for 21 days, then stop for seven days. During this seven-day break, a withdrawal bleed will usually occur. This is not the same as a natural menstrual period but is a normal response to stopping the hormones. After the seven-day break, start a new pack regardless of whether bleeding has stopped.

Take your tablet at the same time every day. Consistency of timing is important for maintaining contraceptive effectiveness. If you take the pill at varying times, the hormonal level in your body may fluctuate and reduce protection.

Brevinor tablets can be swallowed whole with water. They can be taken with or without food.

Starting Brevinor for the First Time

If you are starting Brevinor for the first time or restarting after a break, your prescriber will advise you on the correct starting day. When started on day one to five of your menstrual cycle, Brevinor provides contraceptive protection immediately. If started at any other time, additional contraception such as condoms is recommended for the first seven days.

Missed Pills

If you miss a pill, what you should do depends on how many you have missed and at what stage of the pack. If you are less than 12 hours late taking a pill, take it as soon as you remember and continue as normal. Your contraceptive protection is maintained. If you are more than 12 hours late, your contraceptive protection may be reduced. Refer to the Patient Information Leaflet or the NHS guidance on missed pills for specific instructions. Using additional contraception such as condoms for seven days is generally recommended in this situation.

Brevinor is available from Pharmacy Planet in two pack sizes, subject to a valid prescription. Each tablet contains the same dose: 500 micrograms norethisterone and 35 micrograms ethinylestradiol.

Brevinor 63 Tablets

This pack contains three cycles of 21 active tablets, providing three months of contraceptive cover in a single supply. It is suitable for women who are established on Brevinor and managing their contraception with three monthly prescription reviews.

Brevinor 126 Tablets

This pack contains six cycles of 21 active tablets, providing six months of contraceptive cover. It is available for women with a longer valid prescription, supporting continuity of contraception without the need to reorder as frequently.

The pack size prescribed will depend on the clinical assessment and the duration of the prescription your prescriber determines to be appropriate for your circumstances.

Like all medicines, Brevinor can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. The information below is drawn from the current UK SmPC for Brevinor. For a complete list of side effects, refer to the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine or speak to your prescriber or pharmacist.

Common Side Effects

These may affect some women, particularly in the first few months of use:

• Nausea
• Headache
• Breast tenderness or discomfort
• Changes in mood, including low mood or mood fluctuations
• Reduced or absent libido
• Breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods, especially in the first few months
• Changes in vaginal discharge

Serious Risks – When to Seek Urgent Medical Attention

Combined oral contraceptives, including Brevinor, carry a small increased risk of blood clots (venous thromboembolism or VTE). Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following, as they may be signs of a serious condition:

• Sudden severe chest pain
• Breathlessness or difficulty breathing
• Swelling, pain, or redness in one leg
• Sudden severe headache, vision disturbance, or weakness on one side of the body
• Sudden partial or complete loss of vision
• Pain in the abdomen

The risk of a blood clot with the combined pill is small. For context, the NHS advises that around 5 to 7 women in 10,000 who take a combined pill will develop a blood clot in a given year, compared with 2 in 10,000 women who are not pregnant and not taking the pill. Your prescriber will assess your individual risk factors before prescribing.

Blood Clot Risk – Important Information

The risk of blood clots is higher in women who smoke, are overweight, have a personal or family history of blood clots, are immobile for long periods (for example during long haul travel), or have certain inherited blood clotting conditions. Your prescriber will take all these factors into account during your consultation.

Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer

Research has shown a small increase in the risk of breast cancer in women who use combined oral contraceptives. This risk returns to normal over time after stopping the pill. There is also a small increased risk of cervical cancer with sustained use over many years. Your prescriber will discuss these risks with you as part of your consultation. Regular cervical screening (smear tests) is recommended for all eligible women regardless of contraceptive use.

Brevinor May Be Suitable for Women Who:

• Are seeking reliable contraception
• Wish to regulate their menstrual cycle
• Have no contraindications to oestrogen-containing hormonal contraception
• Are aged 18 years and over (or as assessed appropriate by a prescriber for younger patients)

Brevinor Is Contraindicated in Women Who:

• Are pregnant or suspect they may be pregnant
• Are breastfeeding a baby under six weeks old
• Have or have had a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism)
• Have or have had a stroke or heart attack
• Have severe or multiple risk factors for blood clots (such as heavy smoking combined with age over 35)
• Have a history of migraines with aura
• Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Have certain heart valve or rhythm disorders
• Have liver disease or a liver tumour
• Have or have had breast cancer or another hormone sensitive cancer
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Have diabetes with complications affecting blood vessels
• Have a known hypersensitivity to norethisterone, ethinylestradiol, or any excipients in the tablet

Use With Caution in Women Who Have:

• A family history of blood clots
• High blood pressure that is controlled with medication
• Migraine without aura
• A BMI over 35 kg/m²
• Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease
• Sickle cell disease
• Depression or a history of depression

Drug Interactions

Some medicines can reduce the effectiveness of Brevinor or affect how it works. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all medicines you are taking, including medicines available without a prescription and herbal remedies. Important interactions include:

• Medicines that induce liver enzymes, such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and St John's Wort – these can reduce contraceptive effectiveness significantly
• Some HIV antiretroviral medicines
• Some antifungal medicines
• Broad spectrum antibiotics (the evidence for reduced effectiveness is limited but your prescriber or pharmacist can advise you)
• Ulipristal acetate (used for emergency contraception) – do not take alongside hormonal contraception without prescriber advice

If you are prescribed any new medicines while taking Brevinor, always tell that prescriber you are taking the combined pill. Additional contraception or a different method may be recommended in some cases.

The consultation is the primary and essential step when requesting any prescription medicine through Pharmacy Planet. Completing a consultation is not the same as receiving a prescription. A prescription will only be issued if a registered prescriber independently determines that Brevinor is clinically appropriate for you as an individual.

To begin, you will complete a detailed online health questionnaire. This gathers information about your medical history, any existing conditions, family history relevant to contraception, current medicines, smoking status, and other clinical factors. Your prescriber needs this information to assess the safety of Brevinor for you specifically.

A registered prescriber will review your responses thoroughly. They may ask further questions before reaching a decision. If they determine that Brevinor is appropriate for you, they will issue a prescription. If they consider it unsuitable – for example because of a contraindication or a risk factor requiring a different method – they will inform you and may recommend that you speak to your GP or a sexual health clinic for further advice.

Store Brevinor tablets at or below 25 degrees Celsius in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep the tablets in their original blister pack until you need to take them.

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use Brevinor after the expiry date printed on the packaging. Return unused or expired tablets to your local pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not dispose of medicines in household waste or down the sink.

This reference guide compares the contraceptive preparations available at Pharmacy Planet, grouped by delivery method and formulation type. Every preparation is a Prescription Only Medicine. A registered prescriber will review your individual health profile, contraceptive history, and risk factors before recommending any preparation. This table is a clinical reference, not a recommendation.

Combined Oral Contraceptive Tablets (Monophasic)

Monophasic combined pills contain the same dose of both hormones in every active tablet. The table below compares commonly prescribed monophasic combined oral contraceptives by progestogen type, oestrogen dose, VTE risk category, pack format, and key clinical characteristics.

Important: This comparison is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. A prescriber will decide which treatment is suitable for you following an online consultation.

Pharmacy Planet is an online pharmacy registered with the GPhC, committed to providing safe, regulated access to prescription medicines for patients across the United Kingdom. Our service is underpinned by clinical governance, patient safety, and clear, honest healthcare information.

Our online consultation pathway is designed to replicate the rigour of a direct clinical appointment. Every prescription is reviewed and issued by a qualified, registered prescriber. Our dispensing team are experienced pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who have access to the full consultation record for every patient.

We understand that women's reproductive health is personal and that access to contraception should be straightforward, confidential, and supported by sound clinical oversight. Our service offers a private, accessible route to prescription contraception for women across the UK, within the full framework of UK medicines law and GPhC professional standards.

1. Electronic Medicines Compendium. Brevinor 0.5mg/35mcg Tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics. Pfizer Limited. www.medicines.org.uk/emc. Accessed May 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Contraception – combined hormonal methods. Clinical Knowledge Summary. cks.nice.org.uk/topics/contraception-combined-hormonal-methods. Accessed May 2026.
3. Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary (BNF). Norethisterone with ethinylestradiol. bnf.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
4. NHS. Combined pill. www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/combined-contraceptive-pill. Accessed May 2026.
5. Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH). FSRH Guideline: Combined Hormonal Contraception. www.fsrh.org. Accessed May 2026.