Combination of | |
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Ethinylestradiol | Estrogen |
Etonogestrel | Progestogen |
Clinical data | |
Trade names | NuvaRing, others |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a604032 |
License data | |
Routes of administration | Vaginal (ring) |
ATC code | |
Legal status | |
Legal status |
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Identifiers | |
CAS Number | |
PubChem CID | |
ChemSpider |
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KEGG |
Ethinylestradiol/etonogestrel, sold under the brand names NuvaRing among others, is a hormonal vaginal ring used for birth control and to improve menstrual symptoms.[1] It contains ethinylestradiol, an estrogen, and etonogestrel, a progestin.[2] It is used by insertion into the vagina.[1] Pregnancy occurs in about 0.3% of women with perfect use and 9% of women with typical use.[3]
Common side effects include irregular vaginal bleeding, nausea, sore breasts, vaginitis, mood changes, and headache.[4] Rare but serious side effects may include blood clots, toxic shock syndrome, anaphylaxis, gallstones, and liver problems.[4] Use is not recommended in those who both smoke and are over the age of 35.[4] While use in pregnancy is not recommended, such use has not been found to be harmful to the baby.[4] Use during breastfeeding is typically not recommended as it may decrease the milk supply.[4] It mainly works by decreasing gonadotropins thereby stopping ovulation.[4]
The combination was approved for medical use in the United States in 2001.[2] It is available as a generic medication in the United Kingdom.[1] In 2021, it was the 198th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.[5][6]