nuvaring

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

NuvaRing is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy.

NuvaRing may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

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 any of the following conditions: uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, a blood-clotting disorder, circulation problems, diabetic problems with your eyes or kidneys, unusual vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe migraine headaches, if you smoke and are over 35, or if you have ever had breast or uterine cancer, a heart attack, a stroke, or a blood clot.

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

Before taking this medicine

Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack while using this medicine, especially if you are older than 35 years of age. Your risk increases the more you smoke. You should not use combination birth control such as NuvaRing if you smoke and are older than 35 years of age.

This medicine can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before using an NuvaRing vaginal ring.

You should not use the NuvaRing vaginal ring if you have:

• untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;

• heart disease (coronary artery disease; uncontrolled heart valve disorder; history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot);

• a blood-clotting disorder or circulation problems;

• problems with your eyes, kidneys or circulation caused by diabetes;

• a history of hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer;

• unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;

• severe migraine headaches (with aura, numbness, weakness, or vision changes), especially if you are older than 35;

• liver disease or liver cancer; or

• if you smoke and are over 35 years old.

To make sure the NuvaRing vaginal ring is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides;

• depression;

• diabetes, underactive thyroid, gallbladder disease;

• seizures, epilepsy, or migraine headaches;

• a history of irregular menstrual cycles, toxic shock syndrome, or easy vaginal irritation;

• a history of jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills;

• a family history of breast cancer;

• a history of fibrocystic breast disease, lumps, nodules, or an abnormal mammogram; or

• if you have recently had a miscarriage or abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy.

The hormones in Nuvaring can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. These hormones may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast feeding a baby.

How should I use this medicine?

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).

The NuvaRing vaginal ring 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).

Remove the NuvaRing on the same day of the week it was inserted, at about the same time of day. Wait 7 full days before inserting a new ring. Avoid leaving the vaginal ring in place for longer than 3 weeks. Call your doctor if you get off schedule.

The NuvaRing should stay in place during sexual intercourse. If the ring is bothersome, you may remove it, rinse it with warm water, and reinsert it after intercourse. Do not leave the ring out for longer than 3 hours.

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

If you need surgery or medical tests or if you will be on 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 vaginal ring.

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

NuvaRing dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Contraception:

Insert one Nuvaring vaginal ring in vagina and leave in place continuously for 3 weeks. Then, remove vaginal ring for a one-week break. A new vaginal ring is inserted one week after the last ring was removed.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If a NuvaRing falls out during the 3-week wearing time, rinse it with warm water and reinsert it. If it slides down into the lower part of the vagina, use a finger to push it in farther. If the Nuvaring is lost or broken, insert a new ring as soon as possible and stay on the same schedule you started. Do not leave a ring out for longer than 3 hours.

During week 1 or 2: If a NuvaRing has been out of the vagina for more than 3 hours, you may not be protected from pregnancy.

During week 3: If a NuvaRing has been out of the vagina for more than 3 hours, throw it away. Insert a new ring and start a new 3-week cycle. If the removed ring had been in place for at least 1 week, you may wait another 7 days before you insert a new Nuvaring.

Always use back-up birth control until a new or replaced ring has been in place for 7 days in a row.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.

What should I avoid while using this medicine?

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

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with ethinyl estradiol and lead to unwanted side effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

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.

This medicine side effects

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

Stop using the NuvaRing and call your doctor at once if you have:

• signs of a stroke - sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

• signs of a blood clot in the lung - chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood;

• signs of a blood clot in your leg - pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs;

• heart attack symptoms - chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;

• liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• a change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches;

• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;

• a breast lump; or

• symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, tired feeling, mood changes).

Common NuvaRing side effects may include:

• headache;

• vaginal irritation or discharge, pain in your cervix;

• menstrual cramps;

• mood changes;

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;

• weight gain;

• breast pain or tenderness;

• acne; or

• decreased sex drive.

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.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect NuvaRing?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol), aprepitant, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), bosentan (Tracleer), or St. John"s wort;

• phenobarbital (Solfoton) and other barbiturates;

• an antibiotic or antifungal medicine;

• cholesterol medication - atorvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin) or rosuvastatin (Crestor);

• drugs to treat hepatitis C;

• HIV or AIDS medicine - atazanavir, etravirine, indinavir, ritonavir;

• medicine to treat tuberculosis; or

• seizure medications.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with NuvaRing, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some drugs can make birth control less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.