Rigevidon

How to order Rigevidon

1. Find the drug you need on our site.
2. Pick a clinic. See the price.
3. Fill in a short health form.
4. A doctor reads your form.
5. If it is safe for you, they say yes.
6. Your order ships fast to your door.
7. It comes in a plain, sealed box.

Why use us? We compare UK clinics. We show you the price and how fast they ship. We do not sell drugs. We just help you find the best one for you.

Is it safe? Yes. All our clinics are UK-based. A real doctor reads each form. They will not sell to you if it is not safe for you.

Rigevidon on Prescriptsy

Rigevidon is described on Prescriptsy as independent product information.

Here you can understand how online consultation works, what medical checks partner clinics carry out, and which factors matter when comparing providers.

We do not sell medicines directly, but help users compare licensed healthcare partners on price, delivery speed, service quality, and overall trustworthiness.

Rigevidon is a combined oral contraceptive pill (commonly called "the pill") containing levonorgestrel 150 micrograms and ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms.

It is a monophasic combined hormonal contraceptive, meaning every active tablet contains the same dose of progestogen and oestrogen.

Rigevidon is bioequivalent to Microgynon 30 and is one of the most widely prescribed oral contraceptives in the United Kingdom.

It is a prescription-only medicine (POM) manufactured by Gedeon Richter and supplied widely across the NHS.

Combined oral contraceptives have been available in the UK since the early 1960s and remain one of the most popular methods of reversible contraception.

According to NHS Digital data, the combined pill is used by millions of women across the country.

Rigevidon belongs to the category of "second-generation" combined pills, meaning it contains levonorgestrel as the progestogen component.

Second-generation pills are associated with the lowest risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among combined oral contraceptives, which is why they are recommended as first-line options by the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH).

This page provides a comprehensive clinical guide to Rigevidon, covering how it works, dosage instructions, side effects, safety warnings, and how to obtain it in the United Kingdom.

Important safety information about Rigevidon

Before reading further, please note these essential safety points.

• Combined oral contraceptives including Rigevidon carry a small increased risk of blood clots (venous and arterial thromboembolism). Know the warning signs and seek urgent medical attention if they occur.
• Women who experience migraine with aura must not take Rigevidon due to a significantly increased risk of stroke.
• Women aged over 35 who smoke must not use combined hormonal contraception.
• Rigevidon does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Use condoms for STI protection.
• Certain medicines, including some anti-epileptics and St John's wort, can reduce the effectiveness of Rigevidon.

Understanding combined oral contraception

Combined oral contraceptives contain two types of hormone: a synthetic oestrogen (in Rigevidon, this is ethinylestradiol) and a progestogen (in Rigevidon, this is levonorgestrel).

Together, these hormones prevent pregnancy primarily by suppressing ovulation. The oestrogen component inhibits the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), preventing follicular development.

The progestogen inhibits the luteinising hormone (LH) surge, which is the trigger for ovulation.

In addition, levonorgestrel thickens cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus, and alters the endometrial lining.

When taken correctly, Rigevidon is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, with a Pearl Index of approximately 0.3 per 100 woman-years.

With typical use (accounting for missed pills and other real-world factors), the effectiveness is approximately 93%.

Levonorgestrel is a second-generation progestogen with well-established pharmacokinetic and safety profiles. It has been in clinical use for over 50 years.

Among the available progestogens used in combined pills, levonorgestrel is associated with the lowest risk of VTE.

The FSRH Clinical Guideline on Combined Hormonal Contraception recommends prescribing a preparation containing levonorgestrel or norethisterone as first-line, particularly for new starters, because of this favourable VTE risk profile.

How Rigevidon works

Rigevidon prevents pregnancy through three complementary mechanisms. The primary mechanism is the suppression of ovulation. Ethinylestradiol suppresses FSH, preventing the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles.

Levonorgestrel suppresses the LH surge, which normally triggers the release of a mature egg from the ovary. Without ovulation, no egg is available for fertilisation.

The secondary mechanism involves changes to cervical mucus. Levonorgestrel causes the cervical mucus to become thick and viscous, forming a plug that is difficult for sperm to penetrate.

This effect occurs within hours of taking the first tablet and is maintained throughout the cycle.

The tertiary mechanism is alteration of the endometrial lining.

Under the influence of continuous progestogen, the endometrium becomes thin and secretory rather than proliferative, making it less suitable for implantation.

However, because ovulation suppression is so effective when the pill is taken correctly, this mechanism is rarely the sole means of contraceptive protection.

Clinical evidence and positioning

Rigevidon is licensed as a generic equivalent of Microgynon 30.

Bioequivalence studies have demonstrated that the two products deliver equivalent plasma concentrations of both levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol, confirming interchangeability.

The clinical evidence base for levonorgestrel-ethinylestradiol 30 microgram formulations is extensive, with decades of observational and trial data supporting their efficacy and safety.

The FSRH recommends combined oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel or norethisterone with ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms as first-line options for women starting combined hormonal contraception.

This recommendation is based on their lower VTE risk compared with pills containing desogestrel, gestodene, drospirenone, or cyproterone acetate.

The absolute risk of VTE with levonorgestrel-containing combined pills is approximately 5 to 7 per 10,000 women per year, compared with 2 per 10,000 in non-users and 9 to 12 per 10,000 with pills containing third-generation progestogens.

Rigevidon compared with other contraceptive pills

Within the category of combined oral contraceptives, Rigevidon competes directly with other levonorgestrel/ethinylestradiol 30 microgram products, including Microgynon 30, Levest, and Ovranette.

These are bioequivalent products with identical active ingredients and doses.

The choice between them is typically driven by availability and cost, as Rigevidon is often the most competitively priced option available to the NHS.

Compared with pills containing newer progestogens (such as desogestrel in Marvelon, drospirenone in Yasmin, or cyproterone acetate in co-cyprindiol/Dianette), Rigevidon has a lower VTE risk but may have less anti-androgenic activity.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or significant acne may benefit from a pill with anti-androgenic properties, but the FSRH advises starting with a levonorgestrel-containing preparation and switching only if there is a specific clinical indication.

Compared with progestogen-only methods (the progestogen-only pill, the implant, the hormonal coil, or the injection), combined pills offer the advantage of predictable withdrawal bleeds and the ability to manipulate timing of periods.

However, progestogen-only methods avoid the VTE risk associated with oestrogen and are suitable for women with contraindications to combined hormonal contraception, such as migraine with aura, age over 35 with smoking, or a history of VTE.

Dosage and administration

Each Rigevidon pack contains 21 yellow active tablets and 7 white inactive (placebo) tablets. Take one tablet daily at the same time for 28 consecutive days.

During the 7 placebo days, a withdrawal bleed usually occurs. Start the next pack immediately after finishing the current one. There should be no gap between packs.

If you are starting Rigevidon for the first time, begin on day 1 of your menstrual period for immediate protection.

If starting on days 2 to 5, use additional contraception for the first 7 days.

When switching from another combined pill, start Rigevidon the day after taking the last active tablet from your previous pack.

When switching from a progestogen-only pill, you can switch on any day and should use additional contraception for 7 days.

The FSRH guideline on combined hormonal contraception supports flexible pill-taking regimens.

These include extended use (taking active pills for 9 weeks followed by a 4- to 7-day break), continuous use (taking active pills without breaks until breakthrough bleeding occurs, then having a 4-day break), or the standard 21/7 regimen.

Discuss the options with your prescriber.

Extended and continuous regimens can reduce the frequency of withdrawal bleeds and associated symptoms such as headache, mood changes, and pelvic pain during the hormone-free interval.

Side effects of Rigevidon

Common side effects

The most frequently reported side effects include headache, nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes (including depressed mood, irritability, and anxiety), and irregular bleeding or spotting.

These are most common during the first 2 to 3 months of use and usually improve with continued use.

Weight changes may occur, though randomised trials have generally not shown a significant difference in weight gain between combined pill users and placebo.

Fluid retention and bloating are sometimes reported.

Effects on mood and libido

Some women experience mood changes while taking combined oral contraceptives.

The relationship between hormonal contraception and depression has been studied extensively, with some observational data suggesting a small increased risk of depression diagnosis and antidepressant use among hormonal contraceptive users, particularly adolescents.

The MHRA reviewed this evidence and concluded that mood changes and depression are recognised side effects.

If you experience persistent low mood or depressive symptoms after starting Rigevidon, discuss alternative contraceptive options with your prescriber.

Reduced libido may also occur and is thought to relate to suppression of ovarian androgen production and increases in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).

Venous and arterial thromboembolism

Combined oral contraceptives increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) and arterial thromboembolism (myocardial infarction and ischaemic stroke).

The absolute risk with Rigevidon (which contains levonorgestrel) is approximately 5 to 7 per 10,000 women per year, compared with 2 per 10,000 in non-users.

This is the lowest VTE risk among combined oral contraceptive formulations.

The risk is highest during the first year of use or when restarting after a break of 4 weeks or more.

Seek emergency medical attention immediately by calling 999 if you experience sudden severe leg pain or swelling, sudden chest pain, sudden breathlessness, sudden severe headache unlike your usual headaches, sudden visual disturbance, or weakness or numbness affecting one side of the body.

When to seek medical advice

Contact your GP or call NHS 111 if you experience persistent headaches, significant mood changes, breast lumps, or severe abdominal pain.

Seek emergency help by calling 999 for symptoms suggestive of blood clots (described above). Report suspected adverse reactions to the MHRA at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk .

Warnings and precautions

Contraindications

Rigevidon must not be used by women with a personal history of VTE or ATE, known thrombophilia, migraine with aura, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes with vascular complications, current breast cancer or history of breast cancer, severe liver disease, or unexplained vaginal bleeding.

Women aged over 35 who smoke must not use combined hormonal contraception.

The FSRH recommends a thorough assessment of cardiovascular risk factors before prescribing combined hormonal contraception, using the UK Medical Eligibility Criteria (UKMEC) categories.

Drug interactions

Enzyme-inducing medicines significantly reduce the effectiveness of combined oral contraceptives.

These include rifampicin, rifabutin, certain anti-epileptic drugs (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, oxcarbazepine, eslicarbazepine, topiramate at doses above 200 mg daily, perampanel at 12 mg daily or above), some antiretroviral agents, and St John's wort.

If you need any of these medicines, discuss alternative contraception with your prescriber. Most standard antibiotics do not interact with combined oral contraceptives.

The FSRH specifically states that no additional contraceptive precautions are needed when taking non-enzyme-inducing antibiotics, including amoxicillin, doxycycline, and azithromycin.

Special populations

Pregnancy: Rigevidon must not be used during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs while taking Rigevidon, stop the pill immediately.

Epidemiological evidence does not indicate an increased risk of birth defects in children born to women who used combined oral contraceptives before or inadvertently during early pregnancy.

Breastfeeding: combined oral contraceptives are not recommended during breastfeeding, particularly in the first 6 weeks postpartum, as oestrogen may suppress lactation. Progestogen-only methods are preferred for breastfeeding women.

Adolescents: Rigevidon can be prescribed for adolescents who have reached menarche.

The FSRH supports the provision of contraception to young people without requiring parental consent, provided they meet Fraser competence criteria.

Living with combined oral contraception

Taking Rigevidon at the same time each day helps maintain consistent hormone levels and reduces the chance of missed pills.

Setting a daily phone alarm is a simple and effective reminder strategy.

If you experience troublesome side effects during the first 3 months, it is generally worth persisting as many symptoms improve.

If side effects persist beyond 3 months, discuss switching to a different formulation or contraceptive method with your prescriber.

Regular reviews are recommended.

The FSRH suggests that women using combined hormonal contraception should have their blood pressure checked annually and should be reassessed for changes in medical history and risk factors.

Your GP, practice nurse, or sexual health clinic can provide this review.

How to get Rigevidon in the UK

Rigevidon is available on NHS prescription from your GP, practice nurse, sexual health clinic (which may also offer free supplies), or an authorised online prescriber registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

The standard NHS prescription charge in England is 9.90 pounds per item; prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

NHS contraceptive services, including prescriptions from GPs and sexual health clinics, are free of the prescription charge in England as well.

Sources

• Rigevidon, Summary of Product Characteristics (EMC)
• Levonorgestrel with ethinylestradiol, British National Formulary (BNF)
• Combined Hormonal Contraception, FSRH Clinical Guideline
• Combined pill, NHS
• MHRA Yellow Card Scheme