Rigevidon

• Rigevidon is a combined oral contraceptive pill
• It is 99% effective at preventing a pregnancy when taken correctly
• Its active ingredients are levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol, which mimic the hormones oestrogen and progesterone produced naturally in a woman’s body
• The combined pill will not suit every woman, as it can increase the risk of blood clots and some cancers
• Contraceptive pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections
• It is important to read the patient leaflet for a full list of side effects and cautions.

Rigevidon contains synthetic versions of the two hormones that would naturally be produced within a woman’s body, oestrogen and progesterone. The hormones work in three ways to prevent a pregnancy from occurring.

1. Rigevidon stops the ovaries from releasing an egg each month
2. The mucus at the cervix (neck of the womb) becomes thicker, preventing sperm from entering the uterus
3. The lining of the uterus remains thin. This means that a fertilised egg would not be able to implant and begin developing into a baby.

Rigevidon is a reversible form of contraception. This means that it is only effective whilst you are taking it correctly, and its contraceptive effect is not permanent. Should you wish to become pregnant in the future, you can stop rigevidon and begin trying to conceive.

One rigevidon tablet should be taken every day for 21 days in a row. At the end of 21 days, you should have a 7 day break from taking it. During this time, you will experience a withdrawal bleed which will seem like a period.

At the end of the 7 days, you can begin a new strip of 21 pills and the cycle starts once more. As long as you take rigevidon in this way, you will be protected against a pregnancy.

You can take rigevidon at any time of the day, but you must stick to taking it at the same time each day. Swallow each tablet whole with a drink of water.

One rigevidon tablet should be taken every day during the 21 day phase. At the end of this phase, you start a 7 day phase where you do not take any rigevidon. You then start a new strip of pills and the cycle repeats.

Each rigevidon pill contains 150 micrograms of levonorgestrel and 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol.

Like many contraceptive medications, rigevidon can have some side effects. The most common side effects include:

• Stomach ache
• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Putting on weight
• Breast tenderness or pain
• Headaches
• Low mood or mood swings.

Occasionally, rigevidon can cause:

• Spotting or bleeding between your periods
• Liver or kidney problems
• Yellow or brown patches to the skin (called chloasma).

Rigevidon may increase your risk of developing more serious health concerns including:

• Blood clots to the leg – you should seek medical advice if you experience a painful, red, hard or swollen leg
• Blood clots to the lungs – you should seek medical advice if you experience breathlessness, cough up blood or have chest pain
• Breast cancer - symptoms include a lump in the breast, changes to the appearance of the nipple or skin of the breast, bleeding or discharge from the nipple
• Cervical cancer – symptoms include bleeding between periods and bleeding after sex.

Rigevidon may not be suitable if any of these conditions have affected you or a close family member.

If you have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) including breathlessness, lip or tongue swelling, call 999 immediately.

Rigevidon will not be suitable for everyone. Some people may be offered a different contraceptive option if they have ever experienced:

• Liver, kidney or gallbladder disease including gallstones
• Cervical or breast cancer
• Blood clots in the legs, lungs or elsewhere in the body
• Migraines
• Otosclerosis (a form of deafness)
• Angioedema (swelling of different parts of the body)
• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Lupus
• Sickle cell disease
• Porphyria.

During the Consultation with EU Meds, you will be asked to complete a health questionnaire to check that rigevidon is suitable for you. 

A prescriber from EU Meds will review your current medications, including any herbal remedies or supplements, to ensure that rigevidon will not interact with them. 

Once prescribed, you can order rigevidon online for home delivery.