NuvaRing (Etonogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol Vaginal Ring) - RxList

What Is NuvaRing?

NuvaRing (etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring) contains a combination of female hormones in a flexible contraceptive vaginal ring used to prevent pregnancy.

What Are Side Effects of NuvaRing?

NuvaRing may cause serious side effects, including:

• sudden numbness or weakness (specially on one side of the body),
• sudden severe headache,
• slurred speech,
• problems with vision or balance,
• sudden vision loss,
• stabbing chest pain,
• shortness of breath,
• coughing up blood,
• pain or warmth in one or both legs,
• pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder,
• nausea,
• sweating,
• sudden fever,
• body aches,
• skin rash,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• lightheadedness,
• mood changes,
• thoughts of hurting yourself,
• loss of appetite,
• upper stomach pain,
• tiredness,
• dark urine, and
• yellowing of your eyes or skin (jaundice)

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of Nuvaring include:

• vaginal infections and irritation,
• vaginal itching or discharge,
• headache,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• bloating,
• stomach cramps,
• changes in weight or appetite,
• breast pain/tenderness/swelling,
• headache,
• nervousness,
• dizziness,
• tired feeling,
• freckles or darkening of facial skin,
• increased hair growth,
• loss of scalp hair,
• problems with contact lenses,
• vaginal itching or discharge,
• changes in your menstrual periods, and
• decreased sex drive

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for NuvaRing

Nuvaring is inserted once a month for 3 weeks and then removed. A new ring is inserted after a 7 day break.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with NuvaRing?

NuvaRing may interact with bosentan, antibiotics, antifungal medications, drugs to treat hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS, phenobarbital and other barbiturates, St. John's wort, seizure medications, acetaminophen, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), atorvastatin, dantrolene, vaginal miconazole, tizanidine, or tranexamic acid. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

NuvaRing During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not use NuvaRing if you are pregnant. NuvaRing can cause birth defects. 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 NuvaRing. The hormones in NuvaRing can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. NuvaRing may also slow breast milk production. Breastfeeding while using NuvaRing is not recommended.

Additional Information

Our Nuvaring Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.