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Nuvaring

Introduction to birth control types and options

If a woman is sexually active and she is fertile — physically able to become pregnant — she needs to ask herself, "Do I want to become pregnant now?" If her answer is "No," she must use some method of birth control (contraception).

If a woman does not want to get pregnant at this point in her life, does she plan to become pregnant in the future? Soon? Much later? Never? Her answers to these questions can determine the method of birth control that she and her male sexual partner use — now and in the future.

There are a number of different ways to describe birth control. Terms include contraception, pregnancy prevention, fertility control, and family planning. But no matter what the process is called, sexually active people can choose from a plethora of methods to reduce the possibility of their becoming pregnant. Nevertheless, no method of birth control av...

NuvaRing

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NUVARING®
(etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol) Vaginal Ring delivers 0.120 mg/0.015 mg per day

Women should be counseled that this product does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.

FOR VAGINAL USE ONLY

DRUG DESCRIPTION

NuvaRing® (etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring) is a nonbiodegradable, flexible, transparent, colorless to almost colorless, combination contraceptive vaginal ring containing two active components, a progestin, etonogestrel (13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-11-methylene-18,19-dinor-17α-pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one) and an estrogen, ethinyl estradiol (19-nor-17α-pregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-20-yne-3,17-diol). When placed in the vagina, each ring releases on average 0.120 mg/day of etonogestrel and 0.015 mg/day of ethinyl estradiol over a three-week period of use. NuvaRing® (etonogestrel, ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring) is made of ethylene vinylacetate copolymers (28% and 9% vinylacetate) and magnesium stearate and contains 11.7 mg etonogestrel and 2.7 mg ethinyl estradiol. NuvaRing® (etonogestrel, ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring) is latex-free. NuvaRing® (etonogestrel, ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring) has an outer diameter of 54 mm and a cross-sectional diameter of 4 mm. The molecular weights for etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol are 324.46 and 296.40, respectively.

The structural formulas are as follows:

NUVAKING®
  (etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol) Structural Formula Illustration

What are the possible side effects of ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel (NuvaRing)?

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

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
  • sudden headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
  • chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of NuvaRing »

What are the precautions when taking etonogestrel, ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring (NuvaRing)?

See also Warning section.

Before using this medication ring, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to ethinyl estradiol or etonogestrel; or to other estrogens or progestins; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this product, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: history of stroke or other blood clots (e.g., in the legs, eyes, lungs), severe high blood pressure, abnormal breast exam, cancer (especially endometrial or breast cancer), diabetes that has caused kidney/eye/nerve/blood vessel disease, severe headaches, history of...

Read All Potential Precautions of NuvaRing »

Last reviewed on RxList: 7/10/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.

NuvaRing - User Reviews

NuvaRing User Reviews

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


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