Ethinyl Estradiol and Etonogestrel

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

EluRyng; EnilloRing; Haloette; NuvaRing

Brand Names: Canada

Haloette; NuvaRing

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to prevent pregnancy. If you have been given this drug for some other reason, talk with your doctor for more information.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

• If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have had any of these health problems: Blood clots, blood clotting problem, breast cancer or other cancer where hormones make it grow, diseased blood vessels in the brain or heart, heart valve problems, heart disease, certain types of abnormal heartbeats like atrial fibrillation, chest pain caused by angina, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, liver tumor or other liver problems, severe headache or migraine, or diabetes.
• If you have unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• If you have taken ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir (with or without dasabuvir) within the past 2 weeks.
• If you have a health problem or take any drugs or herbal products that may cause hormone-based birth control to not work as well. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. You will need to see if you also need to use a non-hormone form of birth control like condoms.
• If you turned yellow while pregnant or with estrogen use like hormonal birth control.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take this drug if you are pregnant.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. This drug may need to be stopped before certain types of surgery as your doctor has told you. If this drug is stopped, your doctor will tell you when to start taking this drug again after your surgery or procedure.
• Do not use a diaphragm, cervical cap, or female condom while using this ring.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with your doctor. This drug may raise blood sugar.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• High blood pressure has happened with drugs like this one. Have your blood pressure checked as you have been told by your doctor.
• This drug may raise the chance of blood clots, a stroke, or a heart attack. Talk with the doctor.
• Talk with your doctor if you will need to be still for long periods of time like long trips, bedrest after surgery, or illness. Not moving for long periods may raise your chance of blood clots.
• Be sure to have regular breast exams and gynecology check-ups. You will also need to do breast self-exams as you have been told.
• If you drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit often, talk with your doctor.
• This drug may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take this drug.
• This drug may cause dark patches of skin on your face. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun.
• This drug may cause high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Talk with the doctor.
• This drug does not stop the spread of diseases like HIV or hepatitis that are passed through having sex. Do not have any kind of sex without using a latex or polyurethane condom. If you have questions, talk with your doctor.
• Check to see if this drug is in place as you have been told by your doctor or read the package insert. If you cannot find the ring after putting it in or if you are not able to take it out, call your doctor right away.
• Vaginal injury has happened with rings that have broken. If you find that your ring has broken, throw it away and use a new ring. Call your doctor right away if you have vaginal pain or bleeding that is not normal.
• The chance of getting cervical cancer may be higher in people who take hormone-based birth control. However, this may be due to other reasons. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• Some studies have shown the risk of breast cancer is raised when taking hormone-based birth control for a long time. However, other studies have not shown this risk. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• Do not use in children who have not had their first menstrual period.
• If you have any signs of pregnancy or if you have a positive pregnancy test, call your doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of gallbladder problems like pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; yellow skin or eyes; fever with chills; bloating; or very upset stomach or throwing up.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Depression or other mood changes.
• Eyesight changes or loss, bulging eyes, or change in how contact lenses feel.
• A lump in the breast, breast pain or soreness, or nipple discharge.
• Vaginal itching or discharge.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a blood clot like chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; shortness of breath; swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm; or trouble speaking or swallowing.
• Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) has happened in a few patients using vaginal rings. TSS is rare, but can be deadly. Tell your doctor right away if you have diarrhea, dizziness or light-headedness, passing out, fever, muscle pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or a sunburn-like rash.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Vaginal irritation.
• Weight gain.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Tender breasts.
• Stomach pain.
• Pimples (acne).
• Lowered interest in sex.
• Period (menstrual) changes. These include spotting or bleeding between cycles.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Put into the vagina and leave in place for 3 weeks.
• Take out ring at the start of the 4th week.
• Put in a new ring 7 days later.
• Put it in at the same time of day that the one before was taken out.
• To use, wash your hands and take ring from the pouch. Keep the pouch to throw away the ring later.
• Be sure your hands are dry before you touch this drug.
• Press sides of ring at the same time between thumb and index finger and put folded ring into the vagina.
• Perfect placement is not needed for the ring to work. The ring will not hurt.
• To take out, hook the index finger around the rim or hold rim between index finger and middle finger and pull out.
• Do not throw the vaginal ring in the toilet.
• After starting this drug, you may need to use a non-hormone type of birth control like condoms to prevent pregnancy for some time. Follow what your doctor has told you to do about using a non-hormone type of birth control.
• If you miss 2 periods in a row, take a pregnancy test before starting a new dosing cycle.
• If this drug has not been used the right way and 1 monthly period is missed, take a pregnancy test.
• If the ring has been in for up to 1 extra week, it will still work. Take the ring out and put in a new ring 7 days later. If the ring has been in for more than 4 weeks, the ring may not work. Talk with your doctor to make sure you are not pregnant. Use an extra kind of birth control like condoms until you know you are not pregnant. If you are not pregnant, put in a new ring. Keep using the extra kind of birth control for 7 days after putting the ring in.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• If the ring is out of the vagina for less than 3 hours, rinse it off with cool to lukewarm (not hot) water and put it back in as soon as you can.
• If the ring is out of the vagina for more than 3 hours during weeks 1 and 2, rinse it off with cool to lukewarm (not hot) water and put it back in as soon as you can. Use an extra kind of birth control like condoms for 7 days after putting the ring back in.
• If the ring is out of the vagina for more than 3 hours during week 3, throw away the ring. Check the package insert or call the doctor to find out when to put in a new ring. Use an extra kind of birth control like condoms for 7 days after putting the ring in.
• If the ring is out of the vagina for more than 1 week or you do not know how long, take a pregnancy test before putting in a new ring. Use an extra kind of birth control like condoms for 7 days after putting the ring in.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store unused rings at room temperature. Be sure you know how long unused rings may be stored. Check with your pharmacist.
• Do not use if this drug is out of date.
• Protect from heat and light.

General drug facts

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2024-06-05

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