Rigevidon - 3 month course

Rigevidon contraceptive pill

Rigevidon, is a popular and effective contraceptive pill. It has two ingredients to help prevent ovulation, and also to make it harder for sperm to reach the uterus.

Like with any medication, there are risks involved, and so you should have all your regular check-ups with your own GP each year, to make sure it is safe to continue taking Rigevidon.

Rigevidon is taken once daily, at around the same time each day. Rigevidon is a 21 day pill pack, meaning you take 21 tablets consecutively (starting on day 1 of your menstrual cycle), followed by a 7 day, pill free break.

• What is in Rigevidon?

  Rigevidon is a combined oral contraceptive pill. It contains two synthetic hormones, ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel. These are synthetic versions of the naturally occurring hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.

• How does Rigevidon work?

  Rigevidon works by tricking the body into thinking an egg has been released, by keeping hormone levels high. This prevents an egg from being released into the ovaries each month. The hormones also work by thickening the mucus lining of the womb, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through.

• When do I take Rigevidon?

  Rigevidon is best taken at the same time each day, every day, for 21 days of your cycle. Rigevidon ED comes with an additional 7 inactive pills, which can be taken to help keep track of your pill-free days.

• How long after taking Rigevidon are you protected?

  If you started taking Rigevidon on days 1-5 of your period, you will be protected immediately in your next cycle. If you started taking Rigevidon after day 5, you should use additional contraception measure for SEVEN DAYS, until Rigevidon will offer protection against pregnancy.

• Are Rigevidon and Microgynon the same?

  Yes, Rigevidon, Levest, Microgynon and Ovranette pills all contain exactly the same hormones at the same strength and work in the same way.

• What do I do if I miss a Rigevidon dose?

  If you miss a Rigevidon pill, you should take this as soon as possible, even if it means taking two pills at once. You can then continue taking your pills as normal, and still be protected. For a more detailed look at scenarios, see our missed pill guide.

Common; (contact your doctor is these persist or are uncomfortable)

• Headache / Migraine
• Depression or mood changes
• Nausea
• Breast pain
• Bleeding between periods / Change in vaginal discharge

Uncommon side effects of taking Rigevidon include: (contact your doctor is these persist or are uncomfortable)

• Vomiting / Diarrhoea
• Breast enlargement
• Weight changes
• Vaginal infection
• Severe itching
• High or low blood pressure
• Acne
• Fluid retention

Rare, serious side effects (stop taking and contact your doctor)

• Hearing impairment
• Blood clots
• Slight increase in the risk of breast and cervical cancer
• Liver problems
• Severe allergic reaction

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

• Rigevidon PIL

Take one Rigevidon tablet each day for 21-days followed by a 7-day tablet-free interval. Subsequent packs are to be taken after this 7-day tablet-free interval. No additional contraceptives are required if you start taking Rigevidon immediately after the 7-day tablet-free interval. If you start taking Rigevidon after this point you will have to use additional contraceptive measure for the first 7 days whilst taking Rigevidon.

If you are taking Rigevidon for the first time and have not been taking a regular contraceptive prior to this you should take Rigevidon on the firsts day of your menstrual cycle (first day of bleeding).

You should not take Rigevidon if you have:

• heart disease
• untreated/uncontrolled high blood pressure
• blood-clotting disorder / circulation problems;
• A family history of heart attack/ stroke/blood clots before 45.
• a history of hormone-related cancer (e.g breast or uterine cancer)
• unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;
• severe migraines
• liver disease, liver cancer, history of jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills
• problems with severe obesity

Do not use if you are breastfeeding.

Smoking can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. Your risk increases the older you are and the more you smoke.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop taking Rigevidon and tell your doctor if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row.

Rigevidon is not known to interact specifically with any pre-existing medical conditions however it may interact with the medications being used to treat these conditions. If you are taking medication for Epilepsy, Tuberculosis, HIV, Hepatitis C, High blood pressure in vessels of the lungs being treated by Bosentan or have a mild depressive mood treated by St John’s Wort.

Please contact the pharmacy team or your GP to discuss if you are able to take Rigevidon safely.