Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC) Database
| ANDA | Abbreviated New Drug Application |
| BLA | Biologics License Application |
| CDER | Center for Drug Evaluation and Research |
| MG | Medication Guide |
| NDA | New Drug Application |
| PCI | Patient Counseling Information |
| PI | Patient Information |
| PLR | Physician Labeling Rule |
| PLLR | Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule |
| Italics | For the most part, italics indicate an FDA comment such as:
Additions and/or revisions underlined These italics usually appear at the beginning of the section. In some cases, italics may be an inherent part of the label, and will most often appear in the body of the section. |
| Underlines | Any text that is underlined indicates text that has been added or revised. There are exceptions where underlining occurs in a section subtitle or heading. This is the case when there is just one word underlined in the body of the text. |
Sections
| BW | Box Warning |
| WP | Warnings and Precautions all in one section (PLR-format) Warnings as one section (pre-PLR format) Precautions as one section (pre-PLR format) |
| AR | Adverse Reactions (in pre-PLR format, this may be a subheading under precautions). |
| DI | Drug Interactions (in pre-PLR format, this may be a subheading under precautions). |
| USP | Use in Specific Populations (Inclusive on one or more of the following: Pregnancy; Lactation (PLLR- format); Nursing Mothers (pre-PLLR format); Females and Males of Reproductive Potential (PLLR format only); Pediatric Use, Geriatric Use, Renal Impairment, Hepatic Impairment, Sex, Race (these last six may be a subheading of precautions if label in pre-PLLR format. |
| PCI/PI/MG | Patient Counseling Information (PLR format only) - summarizes the information that a health care provider should convey to a patient (or caregiver when applicable) when a counseling discussion is taking place (e.g., a physician prescribing a drug during an office visit, a nurse providing discharge instructions at a hospital, or a pharmacist conveying information at a pharmacy). Patient Information - FDA approved patient labeling. Medication Guide - paper handouts that come with many prescription medicines. The guides address issues that are specific to particular drugs and drug classes, and they contain FDA-approved information that can help patients avoid serious adverse events. |
Only NDAs and CDER regulated BLAs are included in this database. ANDAs are not included.
Applications that remain active, even if the product has been discontinued, undergo safety-related labeling changes.
NUVARING (NDA-021187)
(ETHINYL ESTRADIOL; ETONOGESTREL)
Safety-related Labeling Changes Approved by FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)
05/31/2024 (SUPPL-41)
5 Warnings and Precautions
5.4 Risk of Liver Enzyme Elevations with Concomitant Hepatitis C Treatment
Additions and/or revisions underlined:
CHCs, such as NuvaRing, are contraindicated for use with Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (with or without dasabuvir) [see Contraindications (4)]. Discontinue NuvaRing prior to starting therapy with the combination drug regimen ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (with or without dasabuvir). NuvaRing can be restarted approximately 2 weeks following completion of treatment with this hepatitis C combination drug regimen.
During clinical trials with some HCV combination drug regimens, ALT elevations were observed in women using ethinyl estradiol containing medications [see Drug Interactions (7)]. For example, the Hepatitis C combination drug regimen that contains ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with and without dasabuvir, ALT elevations greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), including some cases greater than 20 times the ULN, were significantly more frequent in women using ethinyl estradiol-containing medications, such as CHCs.
6 Adverse Reactions
6.2 Postmarketing Experience
Additions and/or revisions underlined:
…
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: exacerbations of hereditary and acquired angioedema, urticaria, chloasma
7 Drug Interactions
7.3 Concomitant Use with HCV Combination Therapy – Liver Enzyme Elevation
Additions and/or revisions underlined:
Do not co-administer NuvaRing with HCV drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to potential for ALT elevations. Concomitant use with some other HCV antiviral medicinal products, such as those containing glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, may increase the risk of ALT elevations [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].
17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)
PATIENT INFORMATION
Additions and/or revisions underlined:
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using NuvaRing? Before you use NuvaRing tell your healthcare provider if you:
…
- have a family history of angioedema. Products containing estrogens may cause or worsen these symptoms.
Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines and herbal products you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
…
Some Hepatitis C drug combinations (such as glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) may increase levels of the liver enzyme “alanine aminotransferase” (ALT) in the blood.
05/02/2022 (SUPPL-40)
4 Contraindications
Additions underlined
NuvaRing is contraindicated in females who are known to have or develop the following conditions:
…
Current diagnosis of, or history of, breast cancer, which may be hormone-sensitive [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14)]
…
5 Warnings and Precautions
5.14 Malignant NeoplasmsAdditions underlined
Breast Cancer
NuvaRing is
contraindicated in f emales who currently have or have had breast cancer
because breast cancer may be hormonally sensitive [see Contraindications (4)].
Epidemiology studies have not found a consistent association between use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and breast cancer risk. Studies do not show an association between ever (current or past) use of COCs and risk of breast cancer. However, some studies report a small increase in the risk of breast cancer among current or recent users (<6 months since last use) and current users with longer duration of COC use [see Postmarketing Experience (6.2)].
…
6 Adverse Reactions
6.2 Postmarketing ExperienceAdditions underlined
Five studies that compared breast cancer risk between ever-users (current or past use) of COCs and never-users of COCs reported no association between ever use of COCs and breast cancer risk, with effect estimates ranging from 0.90 - 1.12 (Figure 2).
Three studies compared breast cancer risk between current or recent COC users (<6 months since last use) and never users of COCs (Figure 2). One of these studies reported no association between breast cancer risk and COC use. The other two studies found an increased relative risk of 1.19 - 1.33 with current or recent use. Both of these studies f ound an increased risk of breast cancer with current use of longer duration, with relative risks ranging from 1.03 with less than one year of COC use to approximately 1.4 with more than 8-10 years of COC use.
Figure 2: Relevant Studies of Risk of Breast Cancer with Combined Oral Contraceptives
Please refer to label to view Figure 2.
…
17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)
PATIENT INFORMATIONAdditions underlined
…
Does hormonal birth control cause cancer?
It is not known if hormonal birth control causes breast cancer. Some studies, but not all, suggest that there could be a slight increase in the risk of breast cancer among current users with longer duration of use.
If you have breast cancer now, or have had it in the past, do not use hormonal birth control because some breast cancers are sensitive to hormones.
…
05/08/2019 (SUPPL-37)
6 Adverse Reactions
6.2 Postmarketing Experience(additions underlined)
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General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: device breakage (including with concomitant use of intravaginal antimycotic, antibiotic, and lubricant products)
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17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)
PATIENT INFORMATION(additions underlined)
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How should I use NuvaRing?
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Ring breakage has occurred when also using a vaginal product such as a lubricant or treatment for infection (see “What should I do if my NuvaRing comes out of my vagina?”).
…
12/04/2018 (SUPPL-35)
6 Adverse Reactions
6.2 Postmarketing Experience(additions underlined)
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Reproductive system and breast disorders: penile disorders, including local reactions on penis (in male partners of women using NuvaRing), galactorrhea Injury, poisoning and procedural complications: vaginal injury (including associated pain, discomfort, and bleeding) associated with ring breakage
17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)
Patient Information(additions underlined)
…
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using NuvaRing? Before you use NuvaRing tell your healthcare provider if you:
…
have (or have ever had) an allergic reaction while using NuvaRing, including hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat causing difficulty in breathing or swallowing (anaphylaxis and/or angioedema).
…
What are the possible side effects of using NuvaRing?
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allergic reaction, including hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat causing difficulty in breathing or swallowing (anaphylaxis and/or angioedema)
12/04/2018 (SUPPL-36)
5 Warnings and Precautions
5.6 Hypersensitivity Reactions(new subsection added)
Hypersensitivity reactions of anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported during use of NuvaRing. If anaphylaxis and/or angioedema is suspected, NuvaRing should be discontinued and appropriate treatment administered.
17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)
Patient Information(additions underlined)
…
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using NuvaRing? Before you use NuvaRing tell your healthcare provider if you:
…
- have (or have ever had) an allergic reaction while using NuvaRing, including hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat causing difficulty in breathing or swallowing (anaphylaxis and/or angioedema).
…
What are the possible side effects of using NuvaRing?
…
- allergic reaction, including hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat causing difficulty in breathing or swallowing (anaphylaxis and/or angioedema)
…
Other serious risks include:
…
allergic reaction, including hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat causing difficulty in breathing or swallowing (anaphylaxis and/or angioedema)
…
Other side effects seen with NuvaRing include breast discharge; vaginal injury (including pain, discomfort, and bleeding) associated with broken rings; and penis discomfort of the partner (such as irritation, rash, itching).
02/12/2018 (SUPPL-31)
4 Contraindications
(additions underlined)
…
Hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, to any of the components of NuvaRing
…
5 Warnings and Precautions
5.6 Vaginal Use(additions underlined)
NuvaRing may not be suitable for women with conditions that make the vagina more susceptible to vaginal irritation or ulceration. Vaginal/cervical erosion or ulceration in women using NuvaRing has been reported. In some cases, the ring adhered to vaginal tissue, necessitating removal by a healthcare provider and in some instances (i.e., when the tissue had grown over the ring), removal was achieved by cutting the ring without incising the overlying vaginal tissue.
Some women are aware of the ring on occasion during the 21 days of use or during intercourse, and sexual partners may feel NuvaRing in the vagina.
6 Adverse Reactions
6.2 Postmarketing Experience(additions underlined)
…
Immune system disorders: hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis and angioedema
…
17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)
Patient Information(additions underlined)
…
Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines and herbal products you take,…
Use an additional barrier contraceptive method (such as a male condom with spermicide) when you take medicines that may make NuvaRing less effective. Since the effect of another medicine on NuvaRing may last up to 28 days after stopping the medicine, it is necessary to use the additional barrier contraceptive method for that long to help prevent you from becoming pregnant. While using NuvaRing, you should not use certain female barrier contraceptive methods such as a vaginal diaphragm, cervical cap or female condom as your back-up method of birth control because NuvaRing may interfere with the correct placement and position of a diaphragm, cervical cap or female condom.
…
How should I use NuvaRing?
…
While using NuvaRing, you should not use certain female barrier contraceptive methods such as a vaginal diaphragm, cervical cap or female condom as your back-up method of birth control because NuvaRing may interfere with the correct placement and position of a diaphragm, cervical cap or female condom.
…
Other serious risks include:
…
Other side effects seen with NuvaRing include allergic reactions, which may include swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing (anaphylaxis and angioedema), hives; breast discharge; and penis discomfort of the partner (such as irritation, rash, itching).
…
Less common side effects seen with combination hormonal birth control include:
Blotchy darkening of your skin, especially on your face
High blood sugar, especially in women who already have diabetes
High fat (cholesterol, triglycerides) levels in the blood
There have been reports of the ring becoming stuck to the vaginal tissue and having to be removed by a healthcare provider. Call your healthcare provider if you are unable to remove your NuvaRing.
08/09/2017 (SUPPL-32)
4 Contraindications
(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)
Do not prescribe NuvaRing to women who are known to have or use the following:
Use of Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to potential for ALT elevations.
5 Warnings and Precautions
5.4 Risk of Liver Enzyme Elevations with Concomitant Hepatitis C Treatment(Newly added subsection)
During clinical trials with the Hepatitis C combination drug regimen that contains ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with and without dasabuvir, ALT elevations greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), including some cases greater than 20 times the ULN, were significantly more frequent in women using ethinyl estradiol-containing medications, such as CHCs. Discontinue NuvaRing prior to starting therapy with the combination drug regimen ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir. NuvaRing can be restarted approximately 2 weeks following completion of treatment with the Hepatitis C combination drug regimen.
7 Drug Interactions
7.3 Concomitant Use with HCV Combination Therapy – Liver Enzyme Elevation(Newly added subsection)
Do not co-administer NuvaRing with HCV drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to potential for ALT elevations.
17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)
Patient Information(Additions and/or revisions are underlined)
Who should not use NuvaRing? Do not use NuvaRing if you:
take any Hepatitis C drug combination containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir. This may increase levels of the liver enzyme “alanine aminotransferase” (ALT) in the blood
05/30/2017 (SUPPL-28)
7 Drug Interactions
7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on CHCs(additions underlined)
Substances decreasing the plasma concentrations of CHCs and potentially diminishing the effectiveness of CHCs
…
Counsel women to use an alternative non-hormonal method of contraception or a back-up method when enzyme inducers are used with NuvaRing, and to continue back-up non-hormonal contraception for 28 days after discontinuing the enzyme inducer to ensure contraceptive reliability.
Note: NuvaRing may interfere with the correct placement and position of certain female barrier methods such as a diaphragm or female condom. These methods are not recommended as back-up methods with NuvaRing use.
…
Substances increasing the plasma concentrations of CHCs
Co-administration of atorvastatin and certain CHCs containing ethinyl estradiol increase AUC values for ethinyl estradiol by approximately 20-25%. Ascorbic acid and acetaminophen may increase plasma ethinyl estradiol concentrations, possibly by inhibition of conjugation. Concomitant administration of strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, grapefruit juice, or ketoconazole may increase plasma estrogen and/or progestin concentrations. Co-administration of vaginal miconazole nitrate and NuvaRing increases the serum concentrations of etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol by up to 40%.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) / Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) protease inhibitors and non- nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Significant changes in the plasma concentrations of the estrogen and /or progestin have been noted
in some cases of co-administration with HIV protease inhibitors (decrease [e.g., nelfinavir, ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir, (fos)amprenavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, and tipranavir/ritonavir] or increase [e.g., indinavir and atazanavir/ritonavir]) /HCV protease inhibitors (decrease [e.g., boceprevir and telaprevir]) or with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (decrease [e.g., efavirenz, nevirapine] or increase [e.g., etravirine]). These changes may be clinically relevant in some cases.
8 Use in Specific Populations
8.1 Pregnancy(additions underlined)
Risk Summary
NuvaRing is contraindicated during pregnancy because there is no need for pregnancy prevention in a woman who is already pregnant. Epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses have not shown an increased risk of genital or non-genital birth defects (including cardiac anomalies and limb-reduction defects) following maternal exposure to low dose CHCs prior to conception or during early pregnancy. No adverse developmental outcomes were observed in pregnant rats and rabbits with the administration of etonogestrel during organogenesis at doses approximately 300 times the anticipated daily vaginal human dose (~0.002 mg/kg/day).
No adverse developmental outcomes were observed in pregnant rats and rabbits with the co- administration of the combination desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol during organogenesis at desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol doses at least 2/5 times, respectively, the anticipated daily vaginal human dose (~0.002 desogestrel/0.00025 ethinyl estradiol mg/kg/day).
Discontinue NuvaRing use if pregnancy is confirmed.
Data
Animal Data
In rats and rabbits at dosages up to 300 times the anticipated dose, etonogestrel is neither embryotoxic nor teratogenic. Co-administration of a maternally toxic dose of desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol to pregnant rats was associated with embryolethality and wavy ribs at a desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol dose that was 40/130 times, respectively, the anticipated vaginal human dose (0.002 desogestrel/0.00025 ethinyl estradiol mg/kg/day). No adverse embryofetal effects were observed when the combination was administered to pregnant rats at a desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol dose that was 4/13 times, respectively, the anticipated vaginal human dose. When desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol was given to pregnant rabbits, pre- implantation loss was observed at a desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol dose that was 3/10 times, respectively, the anticipated vaginal human dose. No adverse embryofetal effects were observed when the combination was administered to pregnant rabbits at a desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol dose that was 2/5 times the anticipated vaginal human dose.
17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)
17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION(additions and revisions, please refer to label)
(additions underlined)
…
Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines and herbal products you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
Some medicines and herbal products may make hormonal birth control less effective, including, but not limited to:
certain anti-seizure medicines (such as barbiturates, carbamazepine, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, rufinamide and topiramate)
medicine to treat fungal infections (griseofulvin)
certain combinations of HIV medicines, (such as nelfinavir, ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir, (fos)amprenavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir and tipranavir/ritonavir)
certain hepatitis C (HCV) medicines (such as boceprevir and telaprevir)
non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (such as efavirenz and nevirapine)
medicine to treat tuberculosis (such as rifampicin and rifabutin)
medicine to treat high blood pressure in the vessels of the lung (bosentan)
medicine to treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (aprepitant)
St John’s wort
Use an additional barrier contraceptive method (such as a male condom with spermicide) when you take medicines that may make NuvaRing less effective. Since the effect of another medicine on NuvaRing may last up to 28 days after stopping the medicine, it is necessary to use the additional barrier contraceptive method for that long to help prevent you from becoming pregnant. While using NuvaRing, you should not use certain female barrier contraceptive methods such as a vaginal diaphragm or female condom as your back-up method of birth control because NuvaRing may interfere with the correct placement and position of a diaphragm or female condom.
Some medicines and grapefruit juice may increase the level of ethinyl estradiol in your blood if used together, including:
• the pain reliever acetaminophen
• ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
• medicines that affect how your liver breaks down other medicines (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, and fluconazole, clarithromycin, erythromycin and diltiazem)
…
How should I use NuvaRing?
…
Regularly check that NuvaRing is in your vagina (for example, before and after intercourse) to ensure that you are protected from pregnancy.
…
While using NuvaRing, you should not use certain female barrier contraceptive methods such as a vaginal diaphragm or female condom as your back-up method of birth control because NuvaRing may interfere with the correct placement and position of a diaphragm or female condom.
…
