Rigevidon - 3 month course

Order Rigevidon Contraceptive Pill Online

By Clinical Pharmacist Hywel McGlinchy

You can request to buy Rigevidon online from our UK registered online pharmacy and doctor service. After completing an online assessment, our doctors will review your suitability for a repeat supply of this medication.

Please note, our doctors are only able to issue this item for patients who are already taking this medication. If you need to get started on the contraceptive pill, please see your GP. 

What is Rigevidon?

Rigevidon is a popular combined oral contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. It contains two ingredients to help prevent ovulation, and also to make it harder for sperm to reach the uterus. These are ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel, which are synthetic versions of the naturally occurring female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.

As with any medication, there are potential side effects and risks associated with this medicine. It is important to continue to have all your regular check-ups with your own GP each year to make sure it is safe to continue taking Rigevidon.

How does it work?

Rigevidon is a hormonal contraceptive with three mechanisms of action. The main effect of the medicine is to prevent ovulation each month. This is the process of one of your ovaries releasing an egg.

It also works by thickening the natural mucus which occurs in the womb. This makes it more difficult for sperm to cross into the womb to fertilise an egg. Finally, it makes it harder for an egg to implant in the womb, by thinning the lining of the womb.

How effective is Rigevidon?

Like other combined contraceptive pills, Rigevidon is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken correctly. If you have vomiting or severe diarrhoea around the time you take your pill, it may not be effective. Other reasons that can reduce its effectiveness is missing a pill and taking medicines that interfere with Rigevidon.

However, if you have forgotten to take 2 or more pills (or started your pack 2 days late), you will not be protected against pregnancy. This may also be the case if you are more than 12 hours late taking a tablet. You should take the missed pill as soon as possible, even if this means taking two tablets at once (but no more). You should continue taking the tablets as normal until you complete the pack. 

You will not be protected from pregnancy for 7 days after remembering to take the missed pills, so you should use an alternative method of contraception (e.g a condom), or refrain from sex. 

You can also read our missed pill guide here.

Rigevidon and breastfeeding

The advice for women who are breastfeeding is to avoid using a combined contraceptive pill. Speak to your doctor for further advice.

Rigevidon missed pill

If you've missed a dose of Rigevidon but are not more than 12 hours late, you should take it as soon as you remember. Have your next dose as normal, even if this means taking two tablets at once. In this scenario, you will still be protected against pregnancy and do not require any extra precautions.

Rigevidon summary

• What is in Rigevidon?

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

• When do I take Rigevidon?

  It 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 start taking Rigevidon after day 5 of your cycle you will not be protected from pregnancy straight away. You should use an additional contraception method 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. All are combined pills (combined oral contraceptives).

• 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.

• What are the side effects of Rigevidon?

  Common side effects of Rigevidon include nausea, headaches, breast pain, and mood swings or changes. Other side effects are possible but they are less common. See the patient information leaflet for a full list of side effects.

• Can I buy the Rigevidon pill online?

  Rigevidon, in the UK, is a prescription-only medicine and is not available to buy over the counter. You can request to order it from certain registered online doctor and pharmacy services, such as Simple Online Pharmacy. This service is only available for women who are currently prescribed the contraceptive pill from their GP. 

  You must complete an online medical assessment which is then reviewed by our GPs. If it is safe and suitable to prescribe for you, our doctors will approve your order and send a prescription to our registered pharmacy. From here, it will be dispatched for delivery to your address.

Rigevidon Side Effects

Common side effects of Rigevidon include bleeding between periods, breast pain, headache, nausea, and mood changes. See the patient information leaflet in your pack for further information on side effects. 

Taking combined contraceptive pills has been linked to a slightly raised risk of developing blood clots. Blood clots can be serious, and you should be aware of the symptoms of blood clots. If you notice any of these symptoms while taking Rigevidon, seek medical attention immediately.

There is also a link between taking the combined pill and an increased risk of breast and cervical cancer. Women with a personal or family history of these cancers should avoid taking combined pills for this reason. See the Cancer Research UK website for further information.

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

How to take Rigevidon

Rigevidon is taken once daily, at around the same time every 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. 

You will likely have withdrawal bleeding similar to your menstrual periods during the 7 day period when you stop taking the pill. You are still protected during these 7 days and do not need to use additional contraception.

The pack is marked with the day of the week that each pill should be taken.

There are other ways to take the pill, such as taking the pill continuously or taking a pill every day for 21 days and only taking a 4 day break afterwards. For further information, talk to your doctor about taking the pill.

Other conditions and Rigevidon

The combined contraceptive pill is not suitable for everyone and should be avoided by people with certain conditions. This includes people with a history of blood clots, very high blood pressure, unexplained vaginal bleeding, and a history of heart attack or stroke. See the patient information leaflet in your packet for further information.