Anore

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Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Anore

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active ingredient Norethisterone (Norethindrone)
Form Oral Tablet
Pharmacological class Synthetic Progestogen / Hormonal Agent
Common use Hormonal Contraception and Menstrual Regulation
Origin Synthetic (19-Nortestosterone Derivative)

What Type of Medicine is Anore (Norethisterone)?

Anore is fundamentally defined as a hormonal agent and a synthetic progestogen whose active component is Norethisterone (also recognized as Norethindrone). This substance belongs to the overarching progestin pharmacological class, chemically derived from the 19-nortestosterone structure. Norethisterone acts as a progesterone receptor agonist, modulating the body's hormonal signals for therapeutic purposes. The active component is utilized as a hormonal contraceptive agent and for the management of menstrual disorders. This classification confirms the drug's role in reproductive health management, utilizing its synthetic structure to achieve predictable hormonal control.


Composition, Form, and Origin: Is Anore Natural or Synthetic?

The active ingredient, Norethisterone, is a synthetic compound, manufactured to be more potent and stable than the natural hormone progesterone. Anore is formulated as a single-ingredient product, containing only Norethisterone and no supplemental estrogen, and is prepared as an oral tablet for systemic absorption. This compound is one of the established progestogens used to manage hormone-sensitive conditions. The formulation as a progestin-only tablet is a key differentiating factor, making it suitable for patient groups where estrogen may be contraindicated.


What is the General Purpose of This Progestogen?

The general therapeutic purpose of Anore is the clinical regulation of the female reproductive system via its hormonal action. By mimicking progesterone, Norethisterone manages the cyclical growth of the uterine lining (endometrium) and can suppress ovulation. This action is leveraged for hormonal contraception and the controlled, therapeutic management of various menstrual disorders. For instance, it is used to regulate an unscheduled period or manage heavy bleeding, providing a means to stabilize a patient's menstrual patterns.

Regulatory References

  1. Norethindrone - MedlinePlus Drug Information

What side effects are possible with Anore?

Possible side effects and safety information

The safety profile of Anore (Norethisterone) is defined by official regulatory documentation, classifying potential effects based on frequency and affected body systems. These classifications establish the known risk characteristics without providing clinical advice.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions are formally grouped in regulatory documents by their likelihood of occurrence:

  • Very Common / Common: The most frequently listed effects include alterations in menstrual bleeding patterns (such as irregular bleeding or spotting), headache, nausea, breast tenderness (mastodynia), vomiting, and weight gain.
  • Rare / Very Rare: These serious, low-frequency events documented in official warnings include Thromboembolic Disorders (venous and arterial events), Hepatic Neoplasia (benign adenomas and carcinoma), and severe hypersensitivity reactions.

System-Organ Class (SOC) Safety Groups

Side effects are categorized based on the physiological systems involved, including Reproductive System and Breast Disorders, Nervous System Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders (e.g., depressed mood), and Gastrointestinal Disorders.

Safety-Related Restrictions and Constraints

Official labeling defines specific restrictions for use. The medication is contraindicated in the presence of or history of thromboembolic disorders, severe liver disease or tumors, undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding, and known or suspected hormone-sensitive malignancies. Furthermore, patients with conditions potentially aggravated by fluid retention, such as cardiac or renal dysfunction, require particular observation. Discontinuation is warranted if new onset of migraine with focal neurological symptoms, visual disturbances, or a significant increase in blood pressure occurs.

Population-Specific Safety Notes

The prescribing information contains specific cautions for defined patient groups. For instance, smokers face a significantly increased risk of serious cardiovascular side effects. Careful monitoring is also noted for patients with diabetes or prediabetes and those with hyperlipidemia due to potential metabolic effects.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

An overdose of Norethisterone (Anore) is associated with a documented clinical profile that includes nausea, vomiting, and breast enlargement. A key manifestation noted by regulators is the potential for vaginal bleeding, which may appear days after the event.

Officially, an overdose of this synthetic progestogen is generally not expected to be dangerous or life-threatening, and serious symptoms are classified as very unlikely. Furthermore, regulatory documents confirm that no specific antidote is known for this overdose scenario.

Despite the non-life-threatening classification, immediate medical attention must be sought for any suspected overdosage. Regulators mandate calling the national Poison Help hotline or local emergency services if severe, acute signs are observed, such as collapse, seizure, or trouble breathing.

Management is defined as symptomatic and supportive. Label-derived procedures for overdose management include the use of gastric lavage or activated charcoal, particularly when a large overdose is identified and managed within the first four hours of ingestion. Monitoring of vital signs and laboratory tests may also be required.

Therapeutic Uses of Anore

What Anore Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Anore (Norethisterone) is relevant for managing conditions presenting with disruptive symptom manifestations related to the female reproductive system, providing support for both therapeutic management and hormonal planning. This progestogen is used to address heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), chronic irregular periods, the management of amenorrhea, and the symptomatic discomfort of endometriosis and severe painful periods (dysmenorrhea). It is also relevant for hormonal contraception.

This application contributes to improved comfort and helps patients cope with symptom fluctuations. The use of this medication assists with maintaining functional stability when symptoms interfere with routine activities. It is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed, assisting patients with both chronic conditions and short-term timing needs.


Quick Fact: Relief for Cycle Disruption

Domain Key Benefit Provided
Menstrual Flow Management of heavy blood loss (HMB).
Cycle Timing Regulation of irregularity and management of amenorrhea.
Pain Symptomatic support for endometriosis and dysmenorrhea.
Planning Supports hormonal contraception and temporary period delay

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility Profile: Who Can and Cannot Use Anore?

Regulatory documentation, primarily from the Japanese health authority (PMDA), establishes strict constraints on the use of Anore (anamorelin hydrochloride).

Eligible Populations and Conditional Use

Classification Rules Defined by Regulatory Authorities
Eligible Patients Adults with cancer cachexia linked only to four specific malignant tumors: non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Conditional Use Use must be supervised by a physician experienced in cancer cachexia. Risks and benefits must be fully understood by the patient or family prior to administration.

Populations and Conditions Excluded from Use

Classification Exclusion or Restriction
Contraindicated Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any drug ingredient. Patients taking certain concomitant medications that are prohibited.
Use Not Established There is no established experience for administration periods exceeding 12 weeks. Use is restricted to the specific, limited cancer types listed above.
Time Restriction Administration should be discontinued if no positive effect is observed within three weeks of starting treatment.

This framework ensures the medicine is used only within a narrow, regulated, and monitored patient group as defined by the official labeling.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Official regulatory information for Anore (Norethisterone) is structured around pharmacokinetic changes that alter the progestogen's systemic exposure and pharmacodynamic relationships with certain co-administered drugs.

Documented Pharmacokinetic Interactions

Norethisterone metabolism is significantly affected by enzyme-modulating substances. Co-administration with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers, such as the anticonvulsants Phenytoin and Carbamazepine or the anti-infective Rifampicin, may lead to a clinically significant decrease in Norethisterone's plasma concentration. Conversely, strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors, including certain antifungals like Ketoconazole or Itraconazole, may cause an increase in the progestogen's systemic exposure. The herbal product St. John's Wort is also classified as an enzyme inducer and may reduce Norethisterone levels.

Official Restrictions and Other Interactions

Co-administration is officially contraindicated with specific combination medicinal products used to treat Hepatitis C, such as Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir, with or without Dasabuvir, due to the documented risk of liver enzyme elevations. Furthermore, an interaction is noted with anticoagulants, where Norethisterone may influence their metabolism; this official documentation may require a dose adjustment for the anticoagulant. Norethisterone can also influence the results of certain laboratory tests related to hepatic, thyroid, and coagulation function.

Mechanism of Action

How Anore Works: Mechanism of Action

Anore is a pharmaceutical agent that operates by modulating key neurotransmitter systems in the central nervous system (CNS). Its primary effects are driven by a dual mechanism of action centered on glycine signaling and monoamine receptor antagonism.

Blocking the Glycine Reuptake Transporter (GlyT1)

Anore acts as a selective inhibitor of the GlyT1 transporter, a protein responsible for clearing glycine from the synaptic cleft. Inhibiting this transporter increases the extracellular concentration of glycine, which then acts as a co-agonist at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA receptor). This molecular cascade results in the enhancement of glutamatergic neurotransmission, a process that regulates aspects of synaptic plasticity and cortical circuit function.

Modulating Dopamine and Serotonin Receptors

This secondary mechanism involves Anore acting as an antagonist at the Dopamine D2 and Serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. This action influences monoaminergic signaling dynamics in affected neural circuits. The combined effect of glutamatergic enhancement and monoamine receptor antagonism contributes to the drug’s overall effect on neural activity by modulating motor and affective circuits.

Dosage and Administration Information

Administration guidelines for Anore (Norethisterone) define its use via the oral route only, with regimens that are determined by the intended therapeutic context. The medicine is provided as a single-ingredient tablet, and its daily dosing varies based on the intended use. For continuous hormonal contraception, the standard is a 0.35 mg tablet taken once daily. Conversely, therapeutic uses like managing abnormal uterine bleeding or amenorrhea may involve doses ranging from 2.5 mg to 10 mg per day, typically for a short, cyclic course of 5 to 10 days. The maximum daily dose, which can reach up to 15 mg, is reserved for long-term continuous regimens like the treatment of endometriosis.


Regardless of the regimen, strict adherence to timing is required for all continuous use patterns. The tablet must be taken at the same time each day, and intake can be managed with or without food. Protocol involves a specific response to a missed dose in the low-dose contraceptive regimen: if the dose is delayed by more than three hours, the pill should be taken immediately, but a non-hormonal back-up method must be used for the subsequent 48 hours. Use in children is generally not recommended, with use limited to postpubertal adolescents for specific indications. The overall use protocol is characterized by defined duration constraints, ranging from short-term cycles to continuous long-term administration.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Anore (Norethisterone)

Research Evidence for Hormonal Contraception and Cycle Timing

Research has explored the use of Norethisterone in two distinct contexts related to cycle management: as a hormonal contraceptive and for temporary cycle timing. As a hormonal agent, Norethisterone was studied in research examining pregnancy prevention. Evidence derived from large-scale retrospective analyses and long-standing clinical practice records describes its typical use in this role. Studies monitored the pregnancy rate among users and examined the rate of ovulation inhibition.

In the context of short-term cycle timing, such as temporarily delaying a period, research was evaluated in specific settings involving brief, planned courses of the medication. Studies examined the success rate of achieving the planned timing and monitored the frequency of unscheduled bleeding or spotting during the use period. Research suggests daily adherence was relevant for the outcomes observed in the studies. For cycle delay, the evidence is focused purely on the immediate, short-term use, and there is limited information for long-term outcomes.

Evidence for Managing Heavy Menstrual Bleeding and Irregular Periods

Anore was studied for conditions characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations, specifically heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and regulating irregular periods. Researchers utilized short- to medium-term randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and various observational studies. These studies examined outcomes related to physical discomfort and outcomes describing episodic or acute changes, such as the total volume of blood loss and the consistency of the menstrual cycle.

Studies report how symptoms evolved in the observed populations, noting the recorded measurements of blood loss when compared to baseline data. The evidence quality varies across studies, and the findings were sometimes mixed, particularly in studies that involved comparisons. There is limited information for long-term outcomes to determine the sustained consistency of regulation after the medication is stopped.

What is Still Uncertain About Norethisterone Research

Research provides insight into what has been observed so far, and evidence highlights what is known and what is still uncertain. Comparative evidence is lacking in some areas when comparing Norethisterone to newer available treatment options. Furthermore, long-term effects are not fully established for every indication, and the impact of sustained use on various physiological systems may not be fully characterized by the current data.

Key Studies & References

  1. Problematic Bleeding with Hormonal Contraception - Clinical Guidance (CoSRH)
  2. Norethisterone: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action | DrugBank Online
  3. Clinical Practice Guidelines: Adolescent Gynaecology - Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (RCH)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Anore (FAQ)

Q: Is Anore the same type of medicine as [similar drug name]?

A: Official regulatory documents classify Anore (Norethisterone) as a Progestogen. This means it is a synthetic hormonal agent that is similar to the natural female hormone progesterone. This classification groups it with other medicines that work by modulating the body's hormonal signals for therapeutic purposes.

Q: How does Anore compare to other medicines in the same category?

A: Regulatory information identifies Anore (Norethisterone) as a synthetic progestogen. The way it works and its approved uses are defined by the specific properties established in its official regulatory labeling. A healthcare provider can offer personalized information when considering different treatment options.

Q: What are the most commonly reported side effects of Anore?

A: Regulatory documents classify the most frequently reported adverse effects as very common or common. These include alterations in menstrual bleeding patterns (such as irregular bleeding or spotting), headache, nausea, breast tenderness, vomiting, and weight gain. These effects are fully listed in the official prescribing information.

Q: How long does Anore stay in the body?

A: Official pharmacokinetic information for the active ingredient, Norethisterone, indicates that it has an elimination half-life that ranges from approximately 5 to 13 hours, with an average of 8.0 hours. The half-life refers to the time it takes for half of the medicine to be cleared from the body.

Q: Is there a generic version of Anore available?

A: The active ingredient in Anore is Norethisterone (also known as Norethindrone). This generic substance is available under various trade names worldwide, as indicated in drug information databases. Specific information about the availability of generic versions can be found by consulting drug databases.

Q: Is Anore known to cause mood changes or depression?

A: Regulatory documents list depressed mood under the safety grouping of 'Psychiatric Disorders.' The frequency of this effect is defined in some official prescribing information as a common adverse effect. This possibility is noted in the drug's official safety profile.

Q: Are there different brand names for the medicine Anore?

A: Yes, the active ingredient in Anore, Norethisterone (Norethindrone), is marketed under numerous brand names worldwide. The name 'Anore' is one of the specific brand names listed in drug databases for the product.

Q: What were the primary outcomes measured in the clinical trials for Anore?

A: Clinical studies have examined outcomes related to menstrual cycle changes and bleeding control. For example, in studies concerning heavy menstrual bleeding, a primary outcome measured was the total volume of menstrual blood loss and the percentage of participants who achieved a specific reduction in blood loss.

Q: Does Anore affect fertility?

A: Anore is a hormonal agent used for contraception (pregnancy prevention) and menstrual regulation. Studies on fertility resumption after discontinuation have generally indicated that the use of hormonal agents like this does not significantly influence the return of fertility, though data for every population may not be fully established.

Q: Can I drink coffee or caffeine while taking Anore?

A: For products that combine Norethisterone with Ethinyl Estradiol, official interaction information notes that the combination may increase the blood levels of caffeine. Specific regulatory guidance for concurrent use with caffeine or coffee is not widely provided.

Q: Is Anore safe for people with liver conditions?

A: Official regulatory documents list severe liver disease or a history of liver tumors as specific conditions that strictly prohibit the use of Anore (a contraindication). This is because steroid hormones may be poorly metabolized in patients with impaired liver function.

Q: Can people with kidney problems use Anore?

A: Regulatory documents state that patients with conditions potentially aggravated by fluid retention, such as kidney problems (renal dysfunction) or heart problems, require particular observation or careful monitoring while taking Anore. This is noted in regulatory documents because fluid retention is a potential concern.

Q: Is it normal to have mild stomach upset when starting Anore?

A: Yes, nausea and vomiting are listed in regulatory documents as very common or common adverse effects under the 'Gastrointestinal Disorders' safety grouping. These effects are classified as common in the safety profile.

Q: What happens if I stop taking Anore suddenly?

A: Official information provides specific instructions for a missed dose in the low-dose contraceptive regimen. For general discontinuation after a planned course, the outcome is predictable hormonal withdrawal; for example, a period should typically start within 2 to 3 days after stopping a course taken for period delay.

Q: Does Anore affect blood pressure?

A: Official regulatory information includes the warning that treatment with Anore should be discontinued if a significant increase in blood pressure occurs. Official safety information notes that regular monitoring of blood pressure may be relevant for certain patients.

Q: What happens if a dose of Anore is missed?

A: The official protocol for the low-dose contraceptive regimen states that if a dose is delayed by more than three hours, the pill should be taken immediately, but a non-hormonal back-up method must be used for the subsequent 48 hours. Protocols for higher therapeutic doses vary, and a healthcare provider can offer guidance on managing missed doses for specific therapeutic regimens.

Q: How long after starting Anore might a person notice effects?

A: Regulatory data on short-term use, such as for cycle timing, is focused on the success rate of achieving the planned timing. For managing heavy bleeding, studies examined how symptoms evolved over a short to medium term. An overall, general timeframe for noticing the onset of effects is not specified in the regulatory documents.

Q: Is Anore safe for children?

A: Use in children is generally not recommended according to regulatory documents. Official approval for use is typically limited to postpubertal adolescents for specific indications as defined in the administration guidelines.

Q: Is Anore available as a liquid or only as a pill?

A: The product is officially described as an oral tablet for systemic absorption. While related Norethisterone products may be compounded with other agents or formulated as transdermal patches or injections, the Anore product itself is specifically an oral tablet.

Q: Is there a maximum recommended duration for Anore use?

A: Official use protocols are characterized by defined duration constraints that vary by indication, ranging from short-term cycles (e.g., 5 to 10 days) for menstrual management to long-term continuous administration for conditions like endometriosis. A maximum duration that applies to all approved uses is not specified in the regulatory labeling.

Q: Are there specific age limits for taking Anore mentioned in official prescribing information?

A: Official documentation restricts use in younger populations to postpubertal adolescents for specific indications. It also notes that older adults who smoke may face an increased risk of cardiovascular side effects, which may require particular observation.

How should Anore be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Disposal Requirements for Anore (Norethisterone)

The official labeling defines specific conditions to maintain the stability of Anore oral tablets.


Mandatory Storage and Protection

  • Temperature: Store at controlled room temperature, maintaining 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F). Do not store above 25 C and keep from freezing.
  • Handling: The medicine must be kept in the original container to protect it from light.
  • Stability: Do not use the tablets after the expiry date or if signs of deterioration, such as discolouration, are visible.
  • Safety: The product must be kept out of the sight and reach of children.

Official Disposal Procedure

Outdated or unused medicine should not be thrown into household wastewater. Patients must consult a healthcare professional or local pharmacist regarding the proper disposal of any unused or expired tablets, typically through an authorized drug take-back or collection program.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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