Medications

Font Size

GENERIC NAME: ETONOGESTREL/ETHINYL ESTRADIOL - VAGINAL RING (et-oh-no-GES-trel / ETH-in-il ess-tra-DYE-ole)

BRAND NAME(S): Nuvaring

WARNING: Smoking cigarettes while using this vaginal ring increases your chance of having heart problems. Do not smoke while using this product. The risk of heart problems increases with age (women greater than 35 years of age) and with frequent smoking (15 cigarettes per day or greater).

USES: This combination hormone ring is used to prevent pregnancy. It contains hormones similar to those in birth control pills. The hormones release from the ring slowly over time. Using this hormone ring does not protect you or your partner against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

HOW TO USE: Review the Patient Information Leaflet. Follow all instructions on how to use this hormone ring and also the best time (during your menstrual cycle) to start using it. Wear each ring for 3 continuous weeks, then remove it for a 1 week period. A new ring is inserted one week after the last ring is removed and a new cycle begins again. If any of the information is unclear, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Wash and dry your hands. Open the reclosable foil pouch container. Remove the ring from the container and save the pouch for disposal of the ring after it is used. Insert the ring into your vagina. Keep the ring in place for 3 continuous weeks (21 days). When placed properly, you should not feel the ring and it will not interfere with sexual intercourse. Remove the ring on the 4th week on the same day of the week and about the same time as you placed it. This will be the start of a one week (7 day) ring-free break. Put the used ring in the foil pouch and discard in the trash container. Do not flush the used ring down a toilet. Your menstrual cycle (period) should usually start within 2 to 3 days after the ring is removed. If your period does not begin during the ring-free week, consult your doctor. After the 4th week, insert a new ring on the same day of the week and about the same time as during the last cycle. You must insert the new ring one week after the last one was removed, even if your menstrual bleeding has not stopped. Do not go longer than 7 days without a ring. Doing so may make this product less effective. If the ring falls out of the vagina, rinse it with cool to lukewarm (not hot) water and re-insert as soon as possible, within 3 hours maximum. If the ring has been out more than 3 hours, you may not be protected from pregnancy. In this case, rinse the ring, re-insert as soon as possible, and use a back-up method of birth control (e.g., condoms, spermicide) until the ring has been in place for 7 continuous days. If you have left the ring in place for longer than 3 weeks, but less than 4 weeks, remove it, wait 1 week, then insert a new ring. If you have left the ring in place for longer than 4 weeks, your body may not have enough hormones to protect you from pregnancy. Remove the ring and check to make sure you are not pregnant. If pregnant, contact your physician. If not pregnant, insert a new ring and use a back-up method of birth control (e.g., condoms, spermicide) until the new ring has been in place for 7 continuous days. Depending on your situation, you may need to use an additional method of birth control (e.g., condoms, spermicide) for the first 7 days during your first ring cycle. A diaphragm is not recommended as a back-up method of birth control with this ring because this device may interfere with the correct placement of a diaphragm. If any of this information is unclear, consult the Patient Information Leaflet or your doctor or pharmacist.