Rigevidon

Rigevidon is a combined oral contraceptive pill. You may also know it as “the pill”. This is a very popular form of contraception that, when taken correctly, is effective more than 99% of the time.

Rigevidon is the generic version of branded Microgynon. A generic is almost identical to a branded version. The only difference is the name and price.

One additional benefit of Rigevidon is that it can also help women who suffer with heavy, painful, or irregular periods.

Please note - this medication will not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) - only a condom will do this.

During a normal menstruation pattern, a woman’s body will release an egg from the ovaries each month.

The active ingredients of Rigevidon, ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel, override this cycle and stop your body from ovulating. These are synthetic versions of the natural sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

By taking a daily dose of these hormones, your body acts like ovulation has already happened.

Additionally, the hormones thicken the mucus at the neck of the womb, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg. They also alter the lining of the womb to make it less likely that a fertilised egg will implant there.

This combination of effects makes it very unlikely that you will fall pregnant. However, it is important that you take the contraceptive pill as instructed. You should follow your doctor’s guidance and what is outlined in the patient information leaflet (PIL).

You should always follow the instructions of your doctor when taking any prescription treatment. Additional information will also be provided in the PIL. You can find this in PDF form on the right of this page, and it will be included with your order.

What dosage is Rigevidon?

Rigevidon is a monophasic pill, which means that each tablet contains the same amount of hormones. Each pill contains 150 mcg of levonorgestrel (progestogen) and 30 mcg of ethinylestradiol (oestrogen).

Instructions

You should take one tablet every day for 21 days, before a 7-day break.

The following is a quick summary of how to take this combined pill:

• each strip will contain 21 tablets
• strips are marked with days of the week, to make it easier to remember to take the tablets
• you should take one tablet, around the same time, every day of the week
• once the pack is empty, you will have a 7-day break
• during this time you will experience breakthrough bleeding
• you should start the next pack on day 8, even if you are still bleeding
• tablets can be taken with water
• do not break, split or crush tablets, take them whole

When should I take the first pill?

If you have not used any hormonal contraception in your previous menstrual cycle, then you should take the first pill on the first day of your period.

If you are changing to Rigevidon from another combined hormonal contraceptive, you should take the first pill after the last pill in the pack of your previous contraceptive.

If you are changing from the mini-pill (POP), you can start Rigevidon the day after stopping the POP. However, you should use additional contraception, such as a condom, for 7 days.

If you are changing from the ring or the patch, you should follow the advice of your NHS doctor.

Missed pills

Anyone who forgets to take a pill at the scheduled time should take one as soon as they remember. If that is longer than 24 hours after the scheduled time, it counts as a missed pill.

If you miss a pill, you should take a tablet as soon as possible, even if that means two tablets at the same time. Continue to take the rest of the pack as normal.

If two or more pills are forgotten, take them as soon as possible even if it means taking two in the same day. Continue to take the rest of the pack as instructed.

If you miss a pill by more than 12 hours, it is important to also use another method of contraception for 7 days, as there will be no protection from pregnancy.

Vomiting or diarrhoea

Vomiting within two hours of taking your pill means that it might not have been properly absorbed into the bloodstream.

You should take another pill as soon as you feel like you can and continue according to your schedule. In this case, you are most likely still protected from pregnancy.

If you are vomiting or have severe diarrhoea for over 12 hours it may make the pill less effective. Keep taking your pill according to the schedule, but treat each day as if you have forgotten to take a tablet.

You should also use additional protection during this time.

As with any other medicine, Rigevidon may cause side effects for certain individuals.

These are the most common reactions:

• acne
• fluid retention
• headaches
• metrorrhagia
• nausea
• weight increase
• mood swings

Just because these reactions are more common does not mean you will experience them. However, as with all combined contraceptive pills, reactions may vary.

If you experience anything that is distressing, please seek immediate medical attention.

You should also stop taking the pill and seek immediate medical attention if you suffer an allergic reaction. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat and face and skin rashes.

For a full list of adverse reactions, please refer to the patient information leaflet.

Blood clots

If you have ever had a blood clot, you should inform your doctor before using this treatment - there is an increased risk of them occurring with combined contraceptives. That being said, it is very rare for them to occur.

Symptoms include pain and swelling in the limbs, coughing blood, breathlessness and chest pain.

If you believe you are suffering a blood clot - whether a stroke, heart attack, DVT or pulmonary embolism - seek immediate medical attention.

Cancer

Taking combined hormonal contraceptives slightly increases the risk of breast and cervical cancer developing. You should have regular checkups with your doctor. You should also examine your breasts regularly - report any changes to your doctor immediately.

There are several conditions that make Rigevidon unsuitable as a contraceptive option. If any of the following apply to you, you should ask your doctor about alternatives:

• you are breastfeeding
• you are pregnant (or suspect you are pregnant)
• you have ever had a blood clot (thrombosis) in a vein, e.g. DVT
• you have any disorder that increases the risk of blood clots occurring
• you are undergoing treatment for varicose veins
• you have two or more risk factors for blood clots (e.g. obesity, smoking)
• you have ever had a heart attack or stroke caused by a blood clot
• you have angina or any heart condition
• you have moderate to severe high blood pressure (hypertension)
• you smoke more than 40 cigarettes per day
• you are over 50 years of age
• you are over 35 years of age and smoke more than 15 cigarettes per day
• you have severe diabetes
• you have a history of eye disorders
• you have a history of migraines with aura
• you have a history of breast cancer
• you suffer from vaginal bleeding where the cause is unknown
• you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• you have a liver condition (tumours, etc.)
• you have porphyria
• you are allergic to the product’s ingredients, including lactose and sucrose

For a complete list, please consult your doctor.

If you cannot use this product, do not worry. The world of contraceptives is diverse - there will be another option more suited to you.

What precautions should I take?

When you start to take new medication, you should tell your doctor about any other medicines you currently use. This includes herbal medicines (e.g. St John’s Wort) and over-the-counter medicines. The doctor needs this information so that they can ensure there will be no interactions.

You should inform our doctors during your online consultation.

The emergency contraceptive ulipristal (ellaOne) can make the pill less effective. If you use ellaOne while you are using Rigevidon, make sure to also use an additional method of contraception for 14 days after.

The antifungal medicine griseofulvin, the weight loss medicine orlistat (Alli and Xenical), and the cholesterol medicine colesevelam also reduce the effectiveness of the pill.

Patients with diabetes should pay close attention to the effects of Rigevidon on their blood sugar levels. Those with high blood pressure should also take precautions.

If you are taking thyroid hormones for hypothyroidism, you may need to increase your dose when you start taking Rigevidon.

Patients with epilepsy who use lamotrigine to treat the condition should be aware that Rigevidon can reduce its effectiveness in preventing seizures.

You can buy Rigevidon online from HealthExpress. Our pharmacy service allows you to skip the hassle of a face-to-face doctor's appointment. However, you must first have been prescribed it by your doctor - this is so they can monitor your reaction to it.

HealthExpress offers a wide variety of contraceptive options; from combined pills like Yasmin and Ovranette, to patches and rings.

All we ask is that you complete a confidential consultation - so that our doctors can confirm it is safe for you to take. The consultation takes no time at all.

If your order is approved, your contraception will be delivered with complimentary next-day delivery.