Rigevidon Pill

The Rigevidon pill is a combined contraceptive pill and like most contraceptive pills, is prescription-only. It can be up to 99% effective at preventing unintended pregnancy if taken at the same time every day, without missing a pill.

The combined pill Rigevidon can also be used to:

• help with heavy or irregular periods
• lessen period pain
• manage symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• improve acne

Rigevidon contains synthetic versions of 2 important female hormones called oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones control your periods and menstrual cycle, including the release of an egg each month (ovulation).

When you take Rigevidon for birth control, this tricks your body into behaving like you are already pregnant, which prevents pregnancy. The mucus at the opening of your uterus (cervix) gets thicker, decreasing the chance of a sperm reaching an egg. Additionally, ovulation does not happen, so an egg is not released.

How effective is the Rigevidon pill?

All combined pills, including Rigevidon, are 99% effective when used properly. This means less than 1 in 100 women who take Rigevidon will become pregnant in 1 year. To make sure it’s as effective as possible, you should:

• take Rigevidon at the same time every day, such as first thing in the morning
• take your pill every day and avoid missing a dose
• never run out of pills by ordering a new prescription a few weeks before you are due to run out
• avoid medications that can interact with the effectiveness of Rigevidon or use additional protection if you need to take them

You can buy the Rigevidon pill at ZAVA. Our online doctor service is always available, simply fill in a brief consultation questionnaire to get started. One of our doctors will review your request and prescribe Rigevidon, as long as it’s suitable for you. They can also offer alternative contraceptive pills.

We offer a discreet home delivery service, with free standard delivery. Instead of waiting for an appointment with your GP, you can order Rigevidon today and have it delivered to your house in as little as 24 hours.

Can you buy Rigevidon over-the-counter?

No, Rigevidon is not available over-the-counter as it needs a prescription. Some contraceptive pills are available over-the-counter, but you will need to speak to your pharmacist first and they will advise what is right for you.

You can still order Rigevidon online with ZAVA, without a regular GP appointment.

You may be able to get Rigevidon on the NHS, depending on your GP’s prescribing guidelines. You would need to call up your registered practice, and may need to arrange an appointment to discuss your contraception. Not all GPs will prescribe specific brands, so you will need to check with your doctor first.

Take Rigevidon as prescribed by your doctor. Rigevidon should always be taken around the same time every day, e.g. first thing in the morning, before going to bed or at lunch time. Never crush or chew the pill, you should swallow it whole with some water.

The Rigevidon pill can be taken with or without food. You can drink alcohol if you are taking the combined pill Rigevidon but remember it will become less effective if you vomit, so you should drink alcohol in moderation.

If you have a break between pill cycles, make sure to wait 7 days before starting your new pack.

Taking more than 1 pill a day will not make Rigevidon more effective but could increase the risk of mild side effects. You can stop taking Rigevidon whenever you want to but will no longer be protected from pregnancy.

Can I take Rigevidon without a break?

Yes, you can take the Rigevidon contraceptive pill without a break. If you take Rigevidon every day, you won’t have a breakthrough bleed or period each month.

You can also use Rigevidon to delay your period, which means taking the next packet without a break. Consult your doctor before you do this if you usually take a break.

Rigevidon missed pill: What if I miss a tablet?

If you miss a pill, the effectiveness of Rigevidon will decrease. If you miss more than 1 pill several times, you have a greater risk of getting pregnant. Please ask your doctor for advice if you have missed more than 1 pill.

If you are late starting your new pack after the pill-free interval:

• If you are less than 9 days late starting your next Rigevidon pack, there is no need for additional measures. Continue taking the remaining pills as normal and at your usual time.
• If you are more than 9 days late in starting your next Rigevidon pack, consider using emergency contraception if you have had sex during or after the pill-free interval. In addition, use a barrier method of contraception (such as condoms) for the next 7 days. Take the pill as soon as possible and continue taking the remaining pills at your usual time each day. Consider a follow-up pregnancy test to ensure you are not pregnant.

How to calculate days: If you took your last pill before the pill-free interval at 9am on Monday, you need to start the next pill pack before 9am on Wednesday of the following week (just less than 9 days later). If you start before this time there is no need to take additional action. If you start at or after 9am on the Wednesday of the following week (9 days or more later), additional action is required to prevent pregnancy. Consider using emergency contraception if you have had sex during or after the pill-free interval. In addition, use a barrier method of contraception (such as condoms) for the next 7 days. Take the pill as soon as possible and continue taking the remaining pills at your usual time each day. Consider a follow-up pregnancy test to ensure you are not pregnant.

If you miss 1 Rigevidon pill from your week 1 pack (i.e. 48 to <72 h since last pill in current pack was taken):

• If you miss the first pill of your pack, please follow the advice on “late restarting”.
• If you have taken the previous pills of the current pack and the last 7 pills of the previous pack correctly, there is no need for emergency contraception or additional contraceptive measures.
• If you have not taken the previous pills of the current pack or any of the last 7 pills of the previous pack correctly, consider using emergency contraception as you could get pregnant. In addition, use a barrier method of contraception (such as condoms) for the next 7 days.
• Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if this means taking 2 pills at the same time.
• Take the rest of your Rigevidon pills as normal and at your usual time.

If you miss 1 pill from your week 2 or week 3 pack:

• If you have taken the previous 7 pills of your current pack correctly, there is no need for emergency contraception or additional contraceptive measures.
• If you have not taken the previous 7 pills correctly, consider using emergency contraception as you could get pregnant. In addition, use a barrier method of contraception (such as condoms) for the next 7 days.
• Take the last pill that you missed as soon as you remember, even if this means taking 2 pills at the same time.
• Take the rest of your Rigevidon pills as normal and at your usual time.

Rigevidon can cause some side effects which are more likely to occur during the first few months. Most side effects will stop once you have adjusted to your new pill regime, but tell your doctor if they don’t go away or bother you.

Common side effects of Rigevidon include:

• vaginitis, an inflammation of the vagina that can cause pain, itching, and discharge
• vaginal yeast infections, such as thrush
• mood swings, including depression
• a change in libido (sexual interest)
• nervousness
• dizziness
• nausea or vomiting (feeling or being sick)
• abdominal pain
• acne
• changes in breast tissue, including tenderness, pain, enlargement, and discharge
• painful menstruation
• changes to the cervix
• unusual vaginal discharge
• little or no bleeding
• fluid retention/oedema
• weight changes

Uncommon side effects of Rigevidon include:

• appetite changes
• elevated blood pressure
• abdominal cramps
• bloating
• rash
• chloasma (yellow-brown patches on the skin) which may persist
• hair loss
• excessive hair growth
• changes in serum lipid levels including hypertriglyceridemia

Rare side effects of Rigevidon include:

• glucose intolerance
• irritation of the eye when wearing contact lenses
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
• erythema nodosum (a skin condition that causes painful red skin nodules)

Speak to your doctor straight away if you notice any rare side effects.

Rigevidon can also cause some serious side effects which require immediate medical attention. Call 999 if you have symptoms of a:

• serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), including hives, swelling in the face and throat, and dizziness
• blood clot, which can cause cramping or throbbing pain in the area of the clot, sharp chest pain, and sudden breathlessness

The combined pill Rigevidon is safe to take, as long as it has been prescribed to you. There are some instances where the combined pill is not suitable, for example if you are over 35 years old and smoke, or if you take certain medications.

Studies have shown that most side effects of contraceptive pills are mild and typically go away with continued use, or after switching to another type of pill. The chances of developing serious side effects are low.

Contraceptive pills can cause high blood pressure (hypertension) in healthy women, or worsen it in women who already are hypertensive. This is why you should have an annual pill check, which includes a blood pressure check.

Does Rigevidon stop periods?

Rigevidon contraceptive pill works to prevent pregnancy, so your period might stop. Some women experience bleeding for a few months whilst their body adjusts, or during their pill break.

Rigevidon can be taken continuously. If you take it this way, your periods will likely stop altogether after a few months but you may have some spotting.

If you take Rigevidon in a cycle of 21 days with a 7-day break, your break will act like a period. This is known as breakthrough bleeding which simulates a natural period. The breakthrough bleed is usually lighter than a normal period, which can help if you usually have heavy, painful periods.

How long does Rigevidon take to stop periods?

When taking Rigevidon continuously without a break, your period is likely to stop within a couple of months, but every person’s body reacts slightly differently to the pill. If you’re still bleeding after 3 months, speak to your doctor.

Coming off Rigevidon: side effects

You can stop taking Rigevidon at any time and will have no withdrawal symptoms. When you stop Rigevidon, your period will usually start again within a few weeks to a few months, depending on how long you have been on the pill. To be on the safe side, you should always talk to your doctor before stopping.

If you are taking Rigevidon to prevent PMS or another condition, your symptoms will likely go back to how they were before you started the pill.

You can take Rigevidon if you are a woman under the age of 35 with no major health issues. Women over the age of 35 years old who smoke should avoid the combined pill due to the risk of serious side effects.

You should not take Rigevidon if you:

• have an allergy to any ingredients in the tablet
• have (or have ever) had a blood clot anywhere in your body
• have a blood clotting disorder
• are due to have an operation that will cause you to be off your feet for a long time, as this can increase your risk of blood clots
• have ever had a stroke, temporary stroke symptoms (TIA), or a heart attack
• have (or have ever) had angina pectoris, a condition that causes severe chest pain
• have (or have ever) had a migraine with aura
• have a condition that can increase the risk of a blood clot in the arteries, such as very high blood pressure, a very high level of blood fats or severe diabetes with blood vessel damage
• have (or have ever) had breast or genital cancer
• have unexplained bleeding from your vagina
• have (or have ever) had a liver tumour
• have (or have ever) had liver disease and do not have normal liver function

Tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions, past or present, so they can make sure Rigevidon is safe before prescribing it.

Can I take Rigevidon if I'm breastfeeding?

Rigevidon contraceptive pill is not suitable for breastfeeding mothers. There are other pills that may be suitable, so discuss this with your doctor.

The active ingredients in Rigevidon are levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol. One Rigevidon pill contains 150 micrograms of levonorgestrel and 30 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol.

The other ingredients are:

Colloidal anhydrous silica, talc, magnesium stearate, maize starch, sucrose, lactose monohydrate (33 mg), calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide (E171), copovidone, macrogol 6000, and povidone carmellose sodium.

Tell your doctor if you take any medications, as some will not be as effective when you take Rigevidon. Certain medications can also make Rigevidon less effective, which increases your chance of becoming pregnant or having unexpected vaginal bleeding.

Rigevidon may interact with:

• ritonavir, and other medications for Hepatitis C and HIV treatment
• epilepsy treatments like phenytoin, primidone, barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate, rufinamide, perampanel
• rifampicin, a tuberculosis treatment
• fungal infection treatments like griseofulvin
• bosentan, a medication used to treat an increased blood pressure in the lungs
• modafinil, a sleeping disorder treatment
• vemurafenib, a skin cancer treatment
• etoricoxib, for the symptomatic treatment of arthrosis
• ulipristal, taken to treat uterine fibroids
• St John’s wort, a herbal treatment commonly used in depression
• ciclosporin, a medicine used following transplant surgery
• lamotrigine, a medicine used to treat epileptic seizures

The best way to tell if Rigevidon is the right pill for you is to read reviews from patients who have used it. There are sites that allow patients to post Rigevidon reviews and share their experiences. Rigevidon is rated:

• 5.2 out of 10 on drugs.com
• 3.5 out of 5 on webmd.com

If Rigevidon is not suitable or you want to explore your options, you can get another combined contraceptive pill. There are also mini pills available if you want to take a pill without oestrogen.

Other types of contraception include:

• barrier contraception, such as condoms or vaginal dams
• an intrauterine device (IUD), which is inserted directly into your uterus and doesn’t contain hormones
• the contraceptive injection, which works similarly to the pill and is given at your GP or a sexual health clinic
• the contraceptive implant, a small device implanted into your arm which releases hormones slowly to prevent pregnancy

Rigevidon and Microgynon 30 contain the same active ingredients and work the same way to prevent pregnancy. They are manufactured by different companies and may contain different “fillers” (materials other than the active ingredients). However, the main difference is the cost.

Yasmin is another combined pill, but with a different type of progestogen. It still works in the same way as Rigevidon to prevent pregnancy. Yasmin is a 4th generation pill, which means its progesterone was developed more recently than the previous 3 generations of combined pills.

Rigevidon is a good option for most women, which is why it is one of the most prescribed contraceptive pills in the UK. Rigevidon is a combined contraceptive pill, and can actually improve symptoms of PMS and PCOS in addition to being an effective contraceptive. Rigevidon may be a good option for you if you deal with heavy, painful, or irregular periods.

Rigevidon isn’t right for everybody though. It is not recommended if you are 35 or older, smoke, or are overweight.

If you’d like to take Rigevidon for the first time, or if you want to switch from your current pill to Rigevidon, your doctor should make sure that Rigevidon is the best choice for you before prescribing it.