• You should not smoke while using this contraceptive ring. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious heart and blood-related side effects. This risk increases with age (older than 35 years of age) and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day). This contraceptive ring does not prevent the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases.
• This medicine does not mix well with some medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• If you have an allergy to ethinyl estradiol, etonogestrel, or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you have any of the following conditions: Blood clots, breast cancer, diseased arteries in the brain, disease of a heart valve with complications, endometrial cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, liver tumor, severe headache, tumor where estrogen makes it grow, or unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• If you have major surgery and need bedrest.
• If you are diabetic or have poor circulation.
• If you are a heavy smoker (more than 15 cigarettes per day) and older than 35 years of age.
• If you have not started menstruating.
• If you turned yellow during pregnancy or with estrogen-based or hormone contraceptive use.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• Ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel combination prevents pregnancy by preventing ovulation (egg release) through a variety of hormonal changes. Changes in cervical mucus and endometrium making it difficult for sperm to penetrate and form a fertilized egg that can attach to the uterine lining.
• Store unused rings at room temperature. Throw away any unused rings after 4 months.
• Protect from light.
Created: 2006-10-13 12:29:38.0
Modified: 2010-04-07 10:36:22.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• Follow directions given by healthcare provider or read the package insert.
• Insert vaginally and leave in place for 3 weeks.
• Remove ring on the beginning of the fourth week.
• Insert a new ring 7 days later.
• Insert at about the same time of day the previous one was removed.
• To insert, wash your hands and remove ring from protective pouch. Keep pouch to throw away the ring later.
• Press sides of ring together between thumb and index finger and insert folded ring into vagina.
• Perfect placement is not required for ring to be effective. Ring should be comfortable.
• To remove, hook index finger around rim or hold rim between index finger and middle finger and pull out.
• Do not throw the vaginal ring in the toilet.
• If the ring is removed at any time during the 3 weeks of use, rinse it off with lukewarm water and reinsert as soon as possible.
• If the ring is removed for more than 3 hours, you must use an effective form of birth control (not a diaphragm) for 7 days after reinserting the ring.
• If the ring is removed for more than 1 week, you must use an effective form of birth control (not a diaphragm) for 7 days after reinserting the ring.
• Missed dosing information can be found in the package insert or call healthcare provider for instructions.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• If you are taking a blood thinner, check blood work (prothrombin time/INR). Talk with healthcare provider.
• Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• If you are diabetic, you will need to monitor blood sugars closely.
• Check blood work (cholesterol panel). Talk with healthcare provider.
• Have a yearly eye exam.
• Periodic breast (monthly self-exam) and yearly gynecologic exams are important.
• If you miss two menstrual periods in a row, take a pregnancy test before starting a new dosing cycle.
• If the ring is out for more than 1 week, take a pregnancy test before starting the next dosing cycle.
• Follow up with healthcare provider yearly.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• Read the package insert for more details.
• Do not use a diaphragm while using this ring.
• If you have any circulation problems, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have gallbladder disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have migraines, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you are going to have major surgery and will not be able to move around for awhile, you should stop this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
• Do not take St John's wort, dong quai, black cohosh, saw palmetto, red clover, or ginseng with this medicine.
• If you are taking this medicine and have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider before using over-the-counter products that may increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain natural products or supplements.
• Avoid cigarette smoking. Persons older than 35 years of age and/or smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day are at an increased risk for heart disease.
• To protect against sexually-transmitted diseases, use a latex condom.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
• Vaginal irritation.
• Weight gain.
• Headache.
• Belly pain.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Breast enlargement.
• For females, vaginal yeast infection. Report itching or discharge.
• Menstrual changes. These include lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles.
• Gallbladder disease, blood clots, heart attacks, and other vascular problems can rarely occur.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Change in strength on one side greater than the other, difficulty speaking or thinking, change in balance, or blurred vision.
• Swelling or pain of leg or arm.
• Severe headache.
• Severe belly pain.
• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Not able to eat.
• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
• Change in contact lens tolerance.
• Sudden change in vision, eye pain, or irritation.
• A lump in the breast or breast tenderness.
• For females, if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
