Warnings & Recalls for NuvaRing
Risks of Using NuvaRing
In October 2011, the FDA found evidence that NuvaRing can
increase the risk of developing
heart disease and other disorders associated with this condition such as pulmonary embolism (artery blockage) and
deep vein thrombosis (clotting of the veins).
NuvaRing Black Box Warning
NuvaRing has received a black box warning due to the
increased possibility of developing blood clots or having a
heart attack or
stroke while using this medication. Patients who are
over the age of 35 and use tobacco products should use extreme caution while using NuvaRing.
Pregnancy and NuvaRing
NuvaRing is an FDA
pregnancy Category X medicine. NuvaRing
should not be used by anyone who is pregnant or has had a baby in the last month. NuvaRing
may be passed through breast-milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use NuvaRing as a contraceptive while breastfeeding.
General Warnings
Ask your doctor if NuvaRing is right for you and inform your healthcare provider about
any conditions you may have. Patients with the following conditions
should not use NuvaRing:
- uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure)
- any heart diseases or disorders or have ever had a heart attack or stroke
- if you have blood-clotting or circulatory disorders
- diabetes-related eye or kidney problems
- abnormal bleeding of the vagina
- any liver problems
- if you use tobacco and are over 35 years old
- if you have a history of breast cancer or uterine canger
- if you have ever had jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) caused by contraceptives
Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to use NuvaRing to prevent pregnancy if you have:
- any mental illnesses
- elevated blood pressure or vein problems
- diabetes, high cholesterol, or if you are overweight
- any seizure-causing disorder
- an underactive thyroid
- disease of the gallbladder
- any infections, especially tuberculosis
- any vaginal or menstrual problems
- a lowered or unusually placed uterus, bladder or rectum
- persistent constipation
- ever had an irregular mammogram or may have breast disease or cancer
NuvaRing Interactions
NuvaRing may affect the way other drugs work when combined. Let your doctor know about
any medications you are using, especially:
- medications for headaches
- drugs for treating symptoms of heart disease
- muscle relaxers or muscle spasm treatments
- medicines for treating vaginal infections
- any blood clotting drugs
NuvaRing Treatment and Use
NuvaRing | ethinyl estradiol is a hormone-releasing contraceptive vaginal ring marketed by Merck & Co. for preventing pregnancy. NuvaRing was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October of 2001. Since then, NuvaRing has become a controversial form of birth control because of the risks for developing serious health conditions while using this product.
NuvaRing is not a prevention method for sexually transmitted diseases.
How Does NuvaRing Work?
NuvaRing prevents pregnancy through several methods. First, NuvaRing excretes estradiol and etonogestrel to keep the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulating). NuvaRing also causes the cervical mucus to thicken and alters the lining of the uterus, reducing the possibility of sperm to travel to the uterus and making it difficult for a possibly fertilized egg to bind to the uterine wall.
How to Use NuvaRing
NuvaRing comes in the form of a plastic ring to be placed in the vagina. Ask your doctor for proper instructions on how to correctly insert the ring. NuvaRing should be kept in the vagina for 21 days. After this period of time, NuvaRing should be removed for one week to allow for the start of your period. Continue with the cycle on the same day of the week that you started your use of NuvaRing. To prevent pregnancy, patients should use an additional form of birth control during the first week of starting use of NuvaRing.
NuvaRing should be left in the vagina during sexual intercourse. If you are experiencing discomfort, you may remove NuvaRing and rinse the ring with warm water. The ring should not be left outside the vagina for over 3 hours.
