Rigevidon Pill

What is Rigevidon?

Rigevidon is a combined contraceptive pill which contains synthetic versions of the female sex hormones: oestrogen and progesterone. Each pill contains 30 micrograms (mcg) of ethinylestradiol (oestrogen) and 150 mcg of levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestogen that mimics the naturally occurring hormone progesterone.

Aside from being primarily used as a contraceptive, Rigevidon is also recommended for women who suffer from heavy, painful or irregular periods. It comes as film-coated tablets in calendar-marked packs of 21 tablets per strip. Each pack contains 3 or 6 strips of Rigevidon pills.

Please note: Rigevidon does not protect against STIs such as chlamydia. Condoms are the most reliable method of contraception for STI prevention. If you have had unprotected sex and are worried about STIs, speak to a clinician for advice. 

How Does Rigevidon Work?

Rigevidon is a hormonal combination pill containing two active ingredients, levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol. Together, they work to prevent pregnancy by:

1. Preventing egg release: Rigevidon’s primary function is to inhibit the release and ripening of an egg from the ovaries every month (ovulation)
2. Obstructing sperm: The cervical mucus is thickened to make it difficult for sperm to travel through to the fallopian tubes and fertilise an egg
3. Inhibiting implantation: Thinning the womb lining (endometrium) to make it difficult for a fertilised egg to implant itself there

These combined effects greatly reduce your chance of becoming pregnant. Combined pills, including Rigevidon, are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when they are taken perfectly. However, when typical use is considered, which includes factors like forgetting your pill, being sick, or having diarrhoea, they are closer to being 91% effective. That means 9 out of 100 Rigevidon users will get pregnant each year.

How Long Does Rigevidon Take to Work?

The active ingredients in Rigevidon contraceptive pills start working immediately to prevent pregnancy, provided you take the tablet on day 1 of your period. Otherwise, if you start treatment on days 2-5, you should use extra precautions such as condoms for the first 7 days. 

How to Take Rigevidon

Rigevidon tablets come in a blister pack, with each pill individually labelled with the day of the week it should be taken. Take note of the day you begin treatment and continue to take the pill at the same time for the next 21 days.

Once you’ve done this, it will be time for a 7-day break. During this timeframe, you should experience a withdrawal bleed similar to a period. On the 8th day, start a new tablet strip, even if you’re still bleeding. As long as you’re regularly taking Rigevidon pills without missing any, you will start a new strip on the same day of the week every time.

Consistency is key to ensuring you’re protected from pregnancy. If you feel that you may have trouble remembering to take the pill, consider setting an alarm on your phone or keeping the medication in a place where you’ll be reminded of it. 

When to Start Taking Rigevidon

You should ideally start taking Rigevidon contraceptive pills on the first day of your cycle, which is the day your bleeding starts. Take the pill marked with the correct day of the week (so if your period begins on a Thursday, take the tablet marked Thursday). Follow the direction of the arrow and take one pill every day until the pack is empty.

If you start Rigevidon on day 2-5 of your period, use another method of contraception (such as condoms) for the first 7 days of treatment. After this, provided you keep taking the pill correctly, you should be protected from becoming pregnant. 

What Happens if You Miss a Rigevidon Pill?

If you miss a Rigevidon pill, the most appropriate course of action will depend on the length of time since you last took one.

• Less than 12 hours late: Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if this means taking 2 pills on the same day. Continue taking your pills at the usual time. You will still be protected against pregnancy.
• More than 12 hours late: Your protection may be reduced, so you should use extra contraceptive precautions. The more tablets you’ve missed, the more risk that pregnancy prevention has been limited. If you’ve missed more than one pill, ask your clinician or doctor for advice.

What to do next if you miss a Rigevidon pill is dependent on the week in which the missed pill should have been taken:

Week 1

• Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 tablets at the same time.
• Continue taking the rest of the pills at the usual time.
• You will need to use condoms for the next 7 days.
• If you had sex in the 7 days leading up to the missed pill, there is a chance you could be pregnant.

Week 2

• Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 tablets at the same time.
• Continue taking the rest of the pills at the usual time.
• If you took your pills correctly during the previous 7 days, you do not need to use any additional method of contraception. If this is not the case or you have missed more than 1 pill, use condoms for the next 7 days.

Week 3

If you have taken the pill correctly for the previous 7 days, you do not need to use additional contraception and can follow either of the following methods. If you have not taken Rigevidon correctly in the previous 7 days, you must follow the first method and use condoms for the next 7 days.

1. Take the last missed pill as soon as possible, even if you have to take 2 at the same time. Continue taking the pills at the usual time. When you finish the strip, start the new strip the next day without a pill-free break. 
2. Stop taking pills from the current strip and have a 7-day pill-free break, including the day you forgot to take your pill. On the 8th day, start a new strip.

If you have missed any pills and do not get a withdrawal bleed during the first pill-free break, it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test.

What Happens if You Take Too Many Rigevidon Pills?

If you take more Rigevidon than you should, it is unlikely to cause any serious harm, but you may feel or be sick or have stomach pain, breast pain, numbness, drowsiness or fatigue, or vaginal bleeding. If you get any of these symptoms, speak to your clinician for advice.

What if I am Sick or Have Diarrhoea When Taking Rigevidon?

If you are sick (vomiting) or have diarrhoea within 3 to 4 hours of taking Rigevidon, there is a chance that your body may not have absorbed all of the active ingredients.

After vomiting or having diarrhoea, take another tablet as soon as possible. If you can, take it within 12 hours of when you would normally take your pill. If this isn’t possible, or if at least 12 hours have passed, follow the missed-pill advice.

How to Switch to Rigevidon From Another Pill

If you are switching from another combined hormonal contraceptive, start taking Rigevidon on the day after you have finished your previous hormonal pill. If you take a pill that has inactive or dummy pills, start Rigevidon on the day after you take the last active pill.

When switching from a progesterone-only or mini pill, start taking Rigevidon at any time. Take your first pill the next day at your usual time, but you will need to use condoms for the next 7 days.

It’s always advisable to consult a clinician or doctor before switching contraceptives. This is to ensure you’re receiving the right information for your circumstances and can make more informed decisions. 

Cautions and Side Effects of Rigevidon

Before taking any medicine, it's essential to be aware of the associated risks and remain vigilant for any side effects or changes that may occur during your course of treatment. 

Rigevidon Side Effects

All medicines carry the risk of side effects, though not everybody experiences them. These are usually mild and should clear up after a short time.

Potential Rigevidon side effects include:
 

It’s important to note that the above list is not an exhaustive rundown of possible Rigevidon pill side effects. More information can be found within the Patient Information Leaflet for the treatment.

If you experience any side effects, whether they are listed above or in the patient information leaflet for Rigevidon, inform your clinician for advice. You can also report them directly to the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme.

Allergic Reaction

Do not take Rigevidon if you are allergic to levonorgestrel, ethinylestradiol or any of the other ingredients of Rigevidon listed in the Patient Information Leaflet.

If you experience the signs of an allergic reaction, stop taking Rigevidon and seek immediate medical attention.

Signs of an allergic reaction include:

• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Dry, red and cracked skin
• Itchy, red, watery eyes
• Raised, itchy, red rash (hives)
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
• Tightness of the chest
• Tummy pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea

Rigevidon Blood Clots Risk 

Combined contraceptive pills, such as Rigevidon, can slightly raise the risk of blood clots when compared to people who have never taken them. The potential risk is as follows:

The risk of a blood clot is increased if you:

• Are very overweight (a BMI of 30 or more)
• Have a close relative who has had a blood clot in their leg, lung, or other organ
• Need an operation or are going to be off your feet for a while
• Are over 35
• Gave birth less than a few weeks ago

Your chances of developing blood clots while taking Rigevidon or other combined pills are at their highest during the first year of treatment, or if you’re restarting the pill after a gap of 4 weeks or more. 

Does Rigevidon Cause Cancer?

Some medical studies have reported an increased risk of cervical cancer in long-term users of the pill. However, it’s not clear whether this is caused by Rigevidon (or any other combined pill), as it could be the result of sexual behaviour and other factors.

Breast cancer has also been found in slightly more women who take the pill than in individuals of the same age who don’t take it. Again, it is not certain whether this is due to the pill itself, as it could be because women taking the pill are examined more often, so the cancer is noticed earlier.

Although this enhanced risk is minimal, certain factors, such as a family history of breast cancer or obesity, can make the likelihood even higher. If you stop taking the pill, your base risk of developing the condition returns to regular levels after around 10 years.

More details about Rigevidon and cancer are available in the Patient Information Leaflet. 

Rigevidon Warnings and Interactions 

Rigevidon may not be suitable for everyone. It is important to discuss your medical history with a clinician before starting the combined pill, so that they can ensure it is safe for you to take.

Do not take Rigevidon if you:

• Are allergic to ethinylestradiol, levonorgestrel, or any other ingredients listed in the medication
• Have or have ever had a blood clot in your legs, lungs, or any other organ
• Have a blood-clotting disorder
• Need an operation or are going to be off your feet for a while
• Have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• Have or have ever had angina pectoris or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• Have ever had a migraine with aura
• Have a disease that increases the risk of a blood clot in your arteries (severe diabetes with blood vessel damage, very high blood pressure, very high levels of fat in your blood, hyperhomocysteinaemia)
• Have, have ever had, or are suspected of having breast cancer or cancer of the genital organs
• Have or have ever had liver disease, and your liver function has not yet returned to normal
• Have or have ever had liver tumours
• Have unexplained bleeding from your vagina

Rigevidon Interactions With Other Medicines

Before taking Rigevidon, tell your clinician if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medicines, as they may interact with Rigevidon and reduce its effectiveness and vice versa.

Do not take Rigevidon if you have hepatitis C and are taking any medicines that contain:

• Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir
• Dasabuvir
• Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir 
• Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir

Tell your clinician if you take the herbal remedy St John’s Wort, ciclosporin, lamotrigine, or any medicines to treat the following conditions:

• Epilepsy (primidone, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate, rufinamide, perampanel)
• Tuberculosis (rifampicin)
• HIV and hepatitis C (so-called protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors such as ritonavir, nevirapine, efavirenz)
• Fungal infections (griseofulvin)
• Increased blood pressure in the lungs (bosentan)
• Sleep disorders (modafinil)
• A certain type of skin cancer (vemurafenib)
• Arthrosis (etoricoxib)
• Uterine fibroids (ulipristal)

Most antibiotics are safe to use when taking Rigevidon birth control pills, as they will not interfere with how the medication works. However, treatments such as rifabutin and rifampicin (which affect liver enzymes) can reduce the effectiveness of Rigevidon.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are planning on becoming pregnant in the near future, speak to a clinician before taking Rigevidon. If you become pregnant while taking Rigevidon, stop taking the contraceptive pill and inform your doctor.

Rigevidon pills should not be taken if you are breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding and want to take the pill, discuss this with your clinician. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Rigevidon Pills

Is Rigevidon a Combined Pill?

Yes, Rigevidon is a combined oral contraceptive (COC), as it contains two active ingredients that work together to prevent pregnancy. Levonorgestrel (a progestogen) and ethinylestradiol (oestrogen) are synthetic substances that mimic the effects of hormones that occur naturally in the body. In cases with typical use, the pill offers around 91% protection against getting pregnant. 

Does Rigevidon Cause Weight Gain?

Although weight changes are listed as possible Rigevidon pill side effects, clinical research has not conclusively proven that combined contraceptives can influence your weight. Any fluctuations are more likely to be due to temporary water retention or increased appetite rather than body fat.

If you would like advice about potential Rigevidon side effects or managing your weight, contact your clinician. 

Can Rigevidon Cause Spots?

Yes, Rigevidon can cause spots (acne) and other skin changes. Acne is listed as a common side effect of Rigevidon that may affect up to 1 in 10 users. Skin issues usually flare up at the beginning of contraceptive treatment, or when restarting after a break of a few weeks, but will typically subside once your body adjusts to the pill. 

Does Rigevidon Stop Periods?

Yes, the Rigevidon pill can stop or delay periods if taken back-to-back, without having the usual 7-day break. Monophasic pills like Rigevidon can be taken continuously for as long as desired, though the risk of breakthrough bleeding increases with prolonged use.

It is recommended to consult a clinician before starting a continuous regimen to ensure it is suitable for your circumstances. Alternative medications are available if you’d like to stop or delay your period. 

Can Rigevidon Cause Hair Loss?

Yes, Rigevidon contraceptive pills can cause hair loss. The condition is listed as an uncommon side effect of the treatment (potentially affecting up to 1 in 100 women) and is often temporary, usually clearing up after a few months. The risk may be enhanced in people sensitive to androgenic (male hormone) effects or those with a predisposition to shedding.  

If you experience continuous hair loss while taking Rigevidon tablets, consult a clinician as alternative contraceptive treatments could be more suitable. 

Does Rigevidon Help Acne?

Yes, Rigevidon may help with the appearance of acne, despite not being a first-line treatment for the condition. Studies have shown that combined oral contraceptives can reduce the production of sebum (skin oil) and androgen (male hormone), thereby reducing the number of acne lesions.  

Does Rigevidon Cause Breast Growth?

Yes, Rigevidon can cause breast growth. It is listed as a common side effect of the medication, potentially affecting up to 1 in 10 women. This is due to the pill’s hormone content, which may cause temporary changes in fat distribution and fluid retention. If the enlargement is bothersome, you may want to discuss alternative treatments with a clinician. 

Can You Take Rigevidon Back to Back?

Yes, you can take Rigevidon strips back-to-back, especially if you want to delay or avoid a bleed. You should start the next strip of Rigevidon as soon as your current strip finishes. If you stop taking the medication, you will have a withdrawal bleed and not be protected from pregnancy.

If you don’t have a period for 3 months after stopping treatment, speak to your clinician or doctor for advice. 

Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Rigevidon?

Yes, there is no known interaction between Rigevidon and alcohol, but heavy drinking can increase the risk of vomiting. If this happens within 3 to 4 hours after you take a pill, it may reduce the pill's absorption and effectiveness. Always drink alcohol in moderation. 

Will Rigevidon Affect My Ability to Drive or Operate a Machine?

While it is unlikely that Rigevidon will affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, dizziness is a reported side effect. If you experience dizziness, fatigue, or any other side effect that may affect your ability to concentrate, avoid driving or operating machinery until you feel it is safe to do so.

Can I Buy Rigevidon Online?

Yes, you can buy Rigevidon online from registered online pharmacies, such as Prescription Doctor. The process begins with a brief medical questionnaire that acts as a consultation. Our experienced clinicians will then review your information to determine if Rigevidon is suitable for your circumstances or recommend an alternative treatment. Once approved, your order is dispatched from our General Pharmaceutical Council-registered pharmacy for swift, discreet delivery to your chosen address. 

Can I Get Rigevidon on the NHS?

Yes, Rigevidon is available on the NHS for free, but you need to make an appointment with your GP or visit a sexual health clinic to find out if it is available in your area and a suitable pill for you to take.

How Do You Store Rigevidon?

Store Rigevidon contraceptive pills below 25°C, out of the sight and reach of children and animals. Be sure not to take the medication after the expiry date listed on the carton and blister pack. Do not throw away any medicines via household waste or wastewater. Instead, ask your pharmacist about how to dispose of treatments you no longer use. 

Sources

• Cochrane (2019): Combined hormonal contraceptives for heavy menstrual bleeding.
• EMC (2023): Rigevidon coated tablets.
• EMC: Patient Information Leaflet.
• NHS (2024): Combined pill. 
• NHS (2024): How well contraception works at preventing pregnancy.
• PubMed (2014): Combination contraceptives: effects on weight.
• NHS SPS (2025): Choosing a medicine to delay periods.
• Cochrane (2012): Combined oral contraceptive pills for treatment of acne.