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NuvaRing

Generic name: ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel (vaginal ring) [ ETH-in-il-es-tra-DYE-ole-and-et-oh-noe-JES-trel ]
Drug class: Contraceptives

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Oct 26, 2022.

What is a NuvaRing?

The NuvaRing vaginal ring contains a combination of ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel are female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary).

The hormones in NuvaRing also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.

The NuvaRing vaginal ring is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy.

Warnings

Do not use a NuvaRing if you are pregnant or if you have recently had a baby.

You should not use Nuvaring if you have: uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, circulation problems (especially with diabetes), undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe migraine headaches, if you also take certain hepatitis C medication, if you will have major surgery, if you smoke and are over 35, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.

Smoking can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You should not use the NuvaRing vaginal ring if you smoke and are older than 35 years of age.

Before taking this medicine

Using Nuvaring can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are even more at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or if you are overweight. Your risk of stroke or blood clot is highest during your first year of using NuvaRing, or when you insert a new ring after not wearing one for 4 weeks or longer.

You should not use NuvaRing if you have:

Smoking can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You should not use the vaginal ring if you smoke and are older than 35 years of age.

Do not use a vaginal ring if you are pregnant, or if you had a baby within the past 4 weeks. Remove the vaginal ring and call your doctor if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row.

To make sure NuvaRing is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Using this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. This risk is highest during your first year of using the vaginal ring, or when you insert a new ring after not wearing one for 4 weeks or longer.

You should not breast-feed while using a NuvaRing vaginal ring.

How should I use NuvaRing?

Use NuvaRing exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not wear more than one ring at a time. Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Your doctor will tell you which day to insert the first vaginal ring you use. During the first 7 days, you may need to use back-up birth control (condoms or spermicide, but not a diaphragm or female condom).

NuvaRing will not prevent pregnancy if you wear it only during intercourse. You must wear the ring around-the-clock for 3 full weeks (21 days). Do not wear more than one ring at a time.

For 7 days after inserting your first vaginal ring, you may need to use back-up birth control (condoms or spermicide, but not a diaphragm or female condom).

After 21 days, remove the ring and wait 7 full days before inserting a new ring. Avoid leaving the ring in place for longer than 3 weeks. Call your doctor if you get off schedule, or if you have trouble removing a vaginal ring.

You may have breakthrough bleeding. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very heavy.

If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to stop using this medicine for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using the NuvaRing vaginal ring.

Store unused vaginal rings at room temperature for up to 4 months. Protect from heat and light. Dispose of a used vaginal ring in the foil pouch it came in and throw it away where children and pets cannot get to it. Do not flush the ring down a toilet.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of NuvaRing for Contraception:

Insert 1 ring into the vagina and leave in place continuously for 3 weeks, then remove for 1 week and insert a new ring 1 week after the last ring was removed

Comments: During the 1 week ring-free period, withdrawal bleeding usually occurs.

Use: For females of reproductive age to prevent pregnancy

What happens if I miss a dose?

If a NuvaRing falls out, rinse it with warm water and reinsert it. If the ring is lost or broken, insert a new ring and stay on the same schedule you started. Carefully follow the Patient Instructions about how to replace a ring that has been out of the vagina for more than 3 hours.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel is not expected to be dangerous, but may cause nausea or vaginal bleeding. A broken vaginal ring will not cause an overdose.

What should I avoid while using NuvaRing?

Do not smoke while using NuvaRing, especially if you are older than 35 years of age.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

This medicine will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.

NuvaRing side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to NuvaRing: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Nuvaring may cause serious side effects. Stop using Nuvaring and call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects of NuvaRing may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect NuvaRing?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Some drugs can make birth control less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Use a barrier form of birth control (a male condom with spermicide, but not a diaphragm or female condom) with NuvaRing if you also use any of the following medicines:

Keep using the barrier birth control for at least 28 days after your last dose of any of these medicines.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using.

Frequently asked questions

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use NuvaRing only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.