atorvastatin vs ethinyl estradiol/etonogestrel
Side-by-side comparison of atorvastatin and ethinyl estradiol/etonogestrel. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
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%.
Recommendation: Your doctor should be aware of this combination, as it may increase the risk of side effects from your birth control.
Lipitor
NuvaRing
Atorvastatin is a drug that lowers cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart problems and stroke. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins.
NuvaRing is a vaginal ring that contains hormones to prevent pregnancy. It releases hormones over three weeks to stop you from getting pregnant.
Atorvastatin is used to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides in your blood. It can help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and the need for heart procedures in adults with heart disease or risk factors for it. It is also used in children 10 years and older with certain inherited cholesterol problems.
NuvaRing is used by women of reproductive age to prevent pregnancy. It contains estrogen and progestin, which are hormones. These hormones prevent ovulation, so you don't release an egg and can't get pregnant.
Atorvastatin works by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol. This helps to lower the amount of cholesterol in your blood. Lowering cholesterol can help prevent heart disease.
NuvaRing contains two hormones: etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. These hormones are released slowly into your body. They prevent pregnancy mainly by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg.
- • Common cold symptoms
- • Joint pain
- • Diarrhea
- • Pain in arms or legs
- • Urinary tract infection
- • Vaginal infection
- • Headache (including migraine)
- • Mood changes (like depression or mood swings)
- • Problems related to the ring (like it falling out or causing discomfort)
- • Nausea or vomiting
- Tiredness 13,809
- Feeling sick to your stomach 12,421
- Type 2 diabetes 11,243
- Diarrhea 11,034
- Difficulty breathing 11,029
No adverse event reports.
Atorvastatin can cause muscle problems, including muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. In rare cases, this can lead to serious kidney damage. Tell your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or feel sick. Atorvastatin can also cause liver problems. Your doctor may do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking atorvastatin and while you are taking it.
Cigarette smoking increases your risk of serious heart problems if you use hormonal birth control like NuvaRing. This risk is higher if you are over 35 and smoke more cigarettes. If you are over 35 and smoke, you should not use NuvaRing.
Atorvastatin can harm an unborn baby. You should not take atorvastatin if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is also not recommended to breastfeed while taking atorvastatin.
Do not use NuvaRing if you are pregnant. NuvaRing can pass into breast milk and may reduce milk production. Talk to your doctor about other birth control options if you are breastfeeding.
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How to Read This atorvastatin vs ethinyl estradiol/etonogestrel Comparison
atorvastatin is classified in the HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin) drug class, while ethinyl estradiol/etonogestrel sits within the Vaginal Contraceptive Ring class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, atorvastatin has 59,536 submissions while ethinyl estradiol/etonogestrel has 0. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to atorvastatin can raise the levels of birth control hormones in your blood.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between atorvastatin and ethinyl estradiol/etonogestrel - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.