TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

NUVARING (ethinyl estradiol)

Estrogen Receptor Agonists
Women's Health Approved 2001-10-03

NuvaRing is a combination hormonal contraceptive (CHC) vaginal ring containing etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. It is indicated for use by females of reproductive age to prevent pregnancy. This monthly, extended-release delivery system provides consistent hormone levels to prevent conception through a convenient vaginal administration route.

Source: FDA Label • Merck • Estrogen

How NUVARING Works

NuvaRing prevents pregnancy primarily by suppressing gonadotropins, which inhibits ovulation. Secondary contraceptive mechanisms include increasing cervical mucus viscosity to inhibit sperm penetration into the uterus and altering the endometrium to reduce the likelihood of implantation.

4
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
24
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2001-10-03
Revenue
$216M (Q4-2018)

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Routes
VAGINAL
Dosage Forms
RING

Companies

Active Ingredient: ETHINYL ESTRADIOL , ETONOGESTREL

NUVARING Approval History

2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
27 FDA actions from 2001 to 2024 · 3 indication expansions
May 2024 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Apr 2022 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
May 2019 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What NUVARING Treats

1 indications

NUVARING is approved for 1 conditions since its original approval in 2001. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Pregnancy prevention
Source: FDA Label

NUVARING Boxed Warning

CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination hormonal contraceptive (CHC) use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked. For this reason, CHCs, including NuvaRing, should not be used by women who are over 35 years of age and smoke. [See Contraindications (4) .] WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS See full ...

NUVARING Competitive Set

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to NUVARING

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FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

AMABELZ
ESTRADIOL
1 shared
Lupin
Shared indications:
Pregnancy prevention
ANNOVERA
ETHINYL ESTRADIOL
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MAYNE PHARMA
Shared indications:
Pregnancy prevention
ASHLYNA
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1 shared
GLENMARK PHARMS LTD
Shared indications:
Pregnancy prevention
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Clinical Trial Registry

4 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT07340190 CDAK539A12102 2025-521000-22-00 Ph 1 not yet recruiting A Drug-drug Interaction Study to Evaluate the Effects of Pelabresib on the Pharmacokinetics of Repaglinide, Midazolam, and Combined Oral Contraceptive in Patients With Advanced Malignancies
NCT02432404 results posted STUDY00003584 U19AI113173 Ph 4 completed Effects of a Vaginal Contraceptive Ring on Vaginal Microbiota and Local Immunity
NCT06039826 18533 J1I-MC-GZBV Ph 1 completed A Study of LY3437943 in Postmenopausal Female Participants Who Are Overweight or Obese
NCT02445989 48663 R01HD077872 Ph 4 completed Effects of Contraceptive Ring on Vaginal Microbiota, HIV Shedding and Local Immunity
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Active Pipeline

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Key Completed Trials

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

NUVARING FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

NUVARING is indicated for the treatment of Pregnancy prevention.

⚠️ BOXED WARNING

WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination hormonal contraceptive (CHC) use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked. Fo...

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Revenue Insights

  • Q4-2018: $216M
  • Historical trend analysis

Patent Timeline

  • Patent expiration dates
  • Generic/biosimilar risk

Trial Analysis

  • Clinical trial tracking
  • Development stage analysis

Competitive Landscape

  • 20 similar drugs
  • Same target/indication analysis
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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.