NuvaRing

Generic Name: ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel (Vaginal route)

e-toe-noe-JES-trel, ETH-i-nil es-tra-DYE-ol

Vaginal route(Insert, Extended Release)

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day) and is quite marked in women over 35 years of age. Women who use oral contraceptives should be strongly advised not to smoke .

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• NuvaRing

Available Dosage Forms:

• Insert, Extended Release

Therapeutic Class: Contraceptive

Pharmacologic Class: Progestin

Uses For NuvaRing

The etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring is a flexible combination contraceptive vaginal ring. Ethinyl estradiol is a kind of estrogen (ES-troh-jen) and etonogestrel is a kind of progesterone (proe-JES-ter-one). These are both female hormones used for contraception. The etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring releases these hormones and is used to prevent pregnancy.

Etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring will not protect a woman from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) . The use of latex (rubber) condoms or abstinence (not having intercourse) is recommended for protection from these diseases.

Etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring is available only from your doctor or other authorized health care professional.

Before Using NuvaRing

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

In deciding whether to use the combined contraceptive vaginal ring as a method of birth control, you need to consider the risks of using it as well as the good it can do. This is a decision you, your sexual partner, and your health care professional will make. For etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies with this contraceptive ring have been done only in adult patients, and it is not expected to cause different side effects in children than it does in adults. The etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring is not intended for use in children or adolescents who have not yet started menstruating.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known if this works the same way in younger adults as it does in older adults. There is no specific information comparing the use of etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring in the elderly with use in other age groups. The etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring is not intended for use in women older than child-bearing age.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Boceprevir


• Felbamate


• Isotretinoin


• Paclitaxel


• Paclitaxel Protein-Bound


• Theophylline


• Tizanidine


• Tranexamic Acid

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Alprazolam


• Amoxicillin


• Ampicillin


• Amprenavir


• Aprepitant


• Atazanavir


• Bacampicillin


• Betamethasone


• Bexarotene


• Bosentan


• Carbamazepine


• Colesevelam


• Cyclosporine


• Darunavir


• Delavirdine


• Doxycycline


• Efavirenz


• Etravirine


• Fosamprenavir


• Fosaprepitant


• Fosphenytoin


• Ginseng


• Griseofulvin


• Lamotrigine


• Licorice


• Minocycline


• Modafinil


• Mycophenolate Mofetil


• Mycophenolic Acid


• Nelfinavir


• Nevirapine


• Oxcarbazepine


• Oxytetracycline


• Phenobarbital


• Phenytoin


• Pioglitazone


• Prednisolone


• Primidone


• Rifabutin


• Rifampin


• Rifapentine


• Ritonavir


• Roflumilast


• Rosuvastatin


• Rufinamide


• Selegiline


• St John's Wort


• Telaprevir


• Tetracycline


• Tipranavir


• Topiramate


• Troglitazone


• Troleandomycin


• Valdecoxib


• Voriconazole


• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Caffeine


• Grapefruit Juice

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding (nonmenstrual)— The use of etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring may delay diagnosis or worsen this condition. The reason for the bleeding should be determined before etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring is used.

• Breast cancer (now or in the past or if suspected) or


• Cancer of the lining of the uterus, cervix or vagina (now or in the past) or


• Cancer that worsens when estrogen is present (now or in the past) or


• Confined to bed or inability to move for long period of time or


• Coronary artery disease (now or in the past) or


• Diabetes mellitus with blood vessel problems or


• Headache (severe) with changes in vision, loss of coordination, inability to move, numbness in arms or legs, or fainting or


• High blood pressure, severe or


• Jaundice while using birth control pills or


• Jaundice during pregnancy or


• Liver disease (active) or


• Liver tumors or


• Surgery (major) or


• Problems with circulation or blood clots, now or in the past, such as:


• Blood clots in your brain or


• Blood clots in your legs or


• Blood clots in your lungs or


• Blood clots in your eyes


• Problems with heart valves—These conditions may increase your chance of serious side effects.

• Coronary artery disease risk factors such as:


• Diabetes (sugar diabetes) or


• High blood pressure or


• High cholesterol or


• Obesity—These conditions may increase your chance of serious side effects when using etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring.

• Depression or


• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) or


• Headache of type not experience before or


• High blood pressure or


• Kidney disease or


• Migraine headache or


• Problems with too much insulin in your blood or


• Problems with too much sugar in your blood—This medication may make this condition worse.

• Menstrual vaginal bleeding (lack of or heavy)—This problem may occur when contraceptive medicine is stopped, especially if it has happened in the past.

• Smoking cigarettes—Smoking may increase your chance of serious side effects, especially if you are over 35 years of age or smoke 15 cigarettes or more a day.

• Swollen ankles, feet, or hands—This medication may make this condition worse. This medicine may also make other medical problems worse when your body keeps too much water or fluid.

Proper Use of NuvaRing

This etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring comes with patient information. You must understand this information. You should keep a copy for reference. Be sure you understand possible problems with the etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring , especially side effects, risks, and signs of a serious problem.

It is important to know how and when to insert, remove, or replace etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring. If you have any questions about this ask your doctor. It is very important to follow the instructions on when to insert and remove your etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring.

Pregnancy must be ruled out if there is a problem or change in your regimen. It is important to use additional methods of contraception if there was a problem or change in the regimen. Back-up contraception must be used until the ring has been in place for seven days.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For vaginal dosage form
  
  • For preventing pregnancy:
    
    • Adults—One ring inserted into the vagina for three weeks. The ring is removed for a one week break and the old ring is disposed of. A new ring is inserted one week after the last ring was removed and left in place for three weeks. Note: The ring must be inserted on the appropriate day and left in place for three weeks. This means that the ring is removed three weeks later on the same day of the week it was inserted and at about the same time.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

If the etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring has slipped out of the vagina and it has been out less than three hours, you should still be protected from pregnancy. If the etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring has been out of the vagina for more than three hours you may not adequately be protected from pregnancy, and you must use an extra method of birth control until the etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring has been in place for seven days in a row. For additional information changes or problems with your regimen consult your patient information leaflet or ask your doctor.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions While Using NuvaRing

It is very important that your doctor check you at regular annual visits. Your doctor may want to see you more often than once a year.

It is very important that you tell your doctor if you think that you might be pregnant or if you miss a period.

This product does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.

NuvaRing Side Effects

The risk of serious adverse effects is unlikely for most women using the etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring. However, oral combination hormonal contraceptives have been associated with unwanted effects which may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not determined

• Abdominal fullness


• abdominal pain or tenderness usually after eating a meal


• blurred vision


• changes in skin color


• chest pain or discomfort


• confusion


• constipation


• diarrhea


• dizziness


• gaseous abdominal pain


• headache


• inability to speak


• nausea


• nervousness


• numbness of hands


• pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back or neck


• pain


• pains in chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of legs


• pounding in the ears


• prominent superficial veins over affected area with tenderness and warmth


• recurrent fever


• seizures


• severe headaches of sudden onset


• shortness of breath


• slow or fast heartbeat


• sudden loss of coordination


• sudden onset of slurred speech


• sudden vision changes


• sudden and severe weakness in arm and/or leg on one side


• sweating


• swelling


• swelling of foot or leg on one side of the body


• temporary blindness


• vomiting or vomiting of blood


• yellow eyes or skin

Symptoms of Overdose

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

• Menstrual changes


• nausea


• vaginal bleeding


• vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More Common

• Cough


• fever


• headache


• itching of the vagina or genital area


• pain during sexual intercourse


• pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones


• sore throat


• stuffy or runny nose


• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor


• tightness of chest or wheezing


• weight gain

Less common

• Crying


• depersonalization


• false or unusual sense of well-being


• hoarseness


• mental depression


• paranoia


• quick to react or overreact emotionally


• rapidly changing moods, mild feeling of sadness or discouragement that come and go

Incidence not determined

• Absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods


• bloody vaginal discharge


• brown, blotchy spots on exposed skin


• chills


• clay-colored stools


• contact lenses intolerance


• dark urine


• decreased amount or quality of milk


• dry mouth


• dry skin


• fatigue


• flushed


• fruit-like or unpleasant breath odor


• increased hunger


• increased thirst


• increased urination


• loss of appetite


• medium to heavy, irregular vaginal bleeding between regular monthly periods, which may require the use of a pad or a tampon


• rash


• soreness, swelling, or discharge from the breast or breasts


• trouble getting pregnant


• unexplained weight loss


• unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: NuvaRing side effects (in more detail)

The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.

More NuvaRing resources

• NuvaRing Side Effects (in more detail)
• NuvaRing Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• NuvaRing Drug Interactions
• NuvaRing Support Group
• 234 Reviews for NuvaRing - Add your own review/rating

• NuvaRing Prescribing Information (FDA)


• NuvaRing Ring MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• NuvaRing Consumer Overview

Compare NuvaRing with other medications

• Birth Control