Etonogestrel

Etonogestrel is a steroidal progestin used in hormonal contraceptives, most notably the subdermal implant Nexplanon and the vaginal ring NuvaRing.

Etonogestrel is the active metabolite of the inactive prodrug desogestrel, one of two third-generation progestins found in some epidemiological studies of combined oral contraceptive pills to be associated with a higher risk of venous thrombosis than combined oral contraceptive pills containing certain second-generation progestins. Because hormones are released continuously from NuvaRing, peak and total estrogen and progestin doses are significantly lower than with combined oral contraceptives, although it is not known whether this lowers the risk of blood clots. It is effective within the first 24 hours.