EluRyng

Generic name: Ethinyl Estradiol and Etonogestrel [ ETH-in-il-es-tra-DYE-ole-& et-oh-noe-JES-trel ]
Brand names: EluRyng, NuvaRing
Drug class: Contraceptives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 1, 2024.

Uses of EluRyng:

• It is used to prevent pregnancy.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take EluRyng?

• If you have an allergy to ethinyl estradiol, etonogestrel, or any other part of EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel).
• If you are allergic to EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel); any part of EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel); 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, disease of a heart valve with problems, heart disease, chest pain caused by angina, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, liver disease, liver tumor, very bad headache or migraine, or diabetes that affects blood flow.
• If you have had any of these health problems: Endometrial cancer, cancer of the cervix or vagina, or vaginal bleeding where the cause is not known.
• If you are taking ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir (with or without dasabuvir).
• If you turned yellow during pregnancy or with estrogen-based or hormone contraceptive use.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel) if you are pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel).

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 EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel) 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 EluRyng?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. This medicine may need to be stopped before certain types of surgery as your doctor has told you. If EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel) is stopped, your doctor will tell you when to start taking EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel) 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 medicine 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 medicine 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.
• Certain drugs, herbal products, or health problems could cause EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel) to not work as well. Be sure your doctor knows about all of your drugs and health problems.
• If you drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit often, talk with your doctor.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel).
• This medicine 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 medicine may cause high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine 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 EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel) 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.
• If the ring has come out and you do not know how long it has been, take a pregnancy test before putting in a new ring.
• 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.

How is this medicine (EluRyng) best taken?

Use EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel) 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 EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel).
• 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 your 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 EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel), 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 cycle.
• If EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel) has not been used the right way and 1 monthly period is missed, take a pregnancy test.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• If the ring is taken out at any time during the 3 weeks of use, rinse it off with lukewarm water and put it back in as soon as you can.
• If the ring is taken out for more than 3 hours, you must use an extra kind of birth control also (not a diaphragm, cervical cap, or female condom) for 7 days after putting the ring back in.
• If the ring has been in for more than 4 weeks, it may not work as well. Talk with your doctor. You may need a pregnancy test to check if you are pregnant. Use an extra kind of birth control like a condom until you know you are not pregnant. After you know you are not pregnant, put in a new ring. Keep using the extra kind of birth control for 7 days.
• If the ring is out for more than 1 week, take a pregnancy test before starting the next dosing cycle.
• If a dose is missed, check the package insert or call the doctor to find out what to do. If using EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel) to prevent pregnancy, another form of birth control may need to be used for some time to prevent pregnancy.

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, feeling tired, not hungry, 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.

Related/similar drugs

What are some other side effects of EluRyng?

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

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

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.

How do I store and/or throw out EluRyng?

• Store unused rings at room temperature. Throw away any unused rings after 4 months.
• Do not use if EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel) is out of date.
• Protect from heat and light.
• 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.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• 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.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel), 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.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the name of the generic NuvaRing?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer