Rigevidon

Rigevidon is a second-generation combined contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. It contains the active ingredients levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol that are similar to the hormones progesterone and oestrogen produced naturally by your body.

As well as preventing pregnancy, Rigevidon can also be used to treat other health issues such as:

• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• acne
• heavy periods

The most common way to take Rigevidon is by:

• swallowing 1 pill whole with water at the same time each day for 21 days
• taking a 7-day break where you do not take any pills – you may experience a withdrawal bleed in these 7 days that is similar to a period
• once the 7 days are over, start your new pack, even if you are still bleeding

You can also take Rigevidon in other ways, such as:

• tricycling – where you take 1 pill every day for 9 weeks (3 packs), then take a 4 or 7 day break before starting the pills again
• continuously – where you take 1 pill every day without a break, for as long as you want to take the contraceptive pill
• flexible extended use – where you take 1 pill a day for 21 days, take a 4-day break and start taking the pills again on day 5

You should discuss with your doctor what the best option for you is before changing how you take it.

When to take Rigevidon for the first time

You can start taking Rigevidon at any point during your menstrual cycle at any time of the day. However, for immediate protection against pregnancy, start Rigevidon on the first 5 days of your period or days 1 to 5 of your menstrual cycle. If you start it after day 5, you will need to use a barrier contraception method, like condoms, as well, for 7 days.

When to take Rigevidon

It is best to take the pill at the same time every day to improve its effectiveness. If you want to stop taking Rigevidon, you can also stop at any time with no need to wean off.

What to do if you miss a pill?

If you’ve missed a pill and it’s been less than 12 hours, your contraceptive protection will not be reduced as long as you take:

• the missed pill as soon as you remember, within the first 12 hours
• your remaining pills at your usual time

If it’s been longer than 12 hours since you’ve missed your pill, your contraceptive effectiveness may be reduced. What you do next depends on which week of your strip you’re on:

Week 1:

Take the last missed pill as soon as you remember, even if this means taking 2 at once. Continue taking the rest of your pills at your usual time.

Use a barrier method, like a condom, for the next 7 days. If you had unprotected sex during the previous 7 days, there could be a chance of pregnancy. This risk increases if you’ve missed more than 1 pill or if it’s only been a few days since your pill-free break.

Week 2:

Take the last missed pill as soon as you remember, even if this means taking 2 at once. Continue taking the rest of your pills at your usual time.

If you’ve taken the last 7 days' worth of pills on time and without missing a pill, you will still be protected from pregnancy. However, if this is not the case, or you’ve missed more than 1 pill, use a barrier method (such as a condom) for 7 days.

Week 3:

There are 2 options if you miss your pill in week 3 of your blister pack:

Option 1: Take the last missed pill as soon as you remember, even if this means taking 2 at once. Continue taking the rest of your pills at your usual time.

Start the next blister pack straight away after taking the last pill in your current pack. This means there will be no pill-free break between packs. Withdrawal bleeding is unlikely until the end of the second pack, but there’s a chance of spotting or breakthrough bleeding.

You will not need to take further contraceptive measures, as long as you have taken the previous 7 days' worth of pills correctly (on time and without missing any). If this is not the case, still follow these instructions, but additionally, you must use a barrier method of contraception for the next 7 days.

Option 2: Stop taking the pills from your current blister pack, and take your pill-free break straight away. Include the days you have forgotten your pill as part of your pill-free break, then start your next blister pack as normal after your break.

You will not need to take further contraceptive measures, as long as you have taken the previous 7 days' worth of pills correctly (on time and without missing any). If this is not the case, you should follow option 1 instead.

If you do not get a withdrawal bleed during your first, normal pill-free interval, there’s a chance of pregnancy.

➤ Contact a doctor or pharmacist if you’re worried about pregnancy after missing your pill, as you may be able to take emergency contraception if it’s been 5 days or less since you had unprotected sex.

What do I do if I take Rigevidon twice?

Taking 2 pills in one day is unlikely to cause you any harm, but you may get side effects like:

• feeling or being sick
• stomach pain
• breast pain
• numbness
• drowsiness or tiredness
• vaginal bleeding

If you experience any of these side effects, speak to your doctor for further advice.

Who can take Rigevidon?

Rigevidon is suitable for people who:

• have a healthy weight or body mass index (BMI) below 35
• do not have diabetes, Crohn's disease, or lupus
• have never had a heart attack or stroke
• have never had a blood clot or blood clotting disorder
• do not have angina
• do not have high cholesterol
• have never had a migraine with aura
• have never had breast cancer
• have not had high blood pressure
• are not allergic to any of the ingredients
• do not have unexplained vaginal bleeding

It is best to talk to your doctor before deciding which contraception is best for you.

Rigevidon works by mimicking the natural hormones of your menstrual cycle and interfering with the reproductive process. It helps to prevent pregnancy by:

• preventing ovulation by stopping the release of an egg from the ovaries
• thickening cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for sperm to travel through and reach the egg
• thinning the uterine lining to make it harder for a fertilised egg to implant

How long does it take until Rigevidon is effective?

You can start taking Rigevidon at any point during your cycle, however, if you start taking it on the first 5 days of your period, you will be protected from pregnancy straight away.

If you start taking Rigevidon after day 5 of your cycle, you will not be immediately protected and should use other contraception, like condoms, for 7 days.

➤ Find out more about how long it takes the pill to work.

How effective is Rigevidon?

When taken correctly, Rigevidon can be more than 99% effective at stopping pregnancy.

With typical use, such as missing an occasional pill, it‘s closer to 91% effective. Rigevidon will not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia or HIV.

Yes, in some cases, the Rigevidon pill can be used to treat acne.

Acne is caused by a blockage of the hair follicles by the skin’s natural oils and dead skin cells. This can be because of an imbalance of hormones called androgens, such as testosterone. When there is too much testosterone, your skin’s glands will produce more sebum, a natural oily substance.

The combined pill contains 2 hormones that can help with acne:

• oestrogen – can reduce the production of sebum
• progesterone – can reduce the production of the type of testosterone that increases sebum production

However, it’s important to note that acne can also be a side effect of the pill for some people.

You may experience some side effects when you take Rigevidon, especially at the start. Side effects should clear up within the first few months.

Common Rigevidon side effects (may affect 1 in 10 people) include:

• headaches
• mood swings
• low mood
• reduced sex drive
• nervousness
• acne
• feeling sick (nausea)
• being sick (vomiting)
• abdominal pain
• irregular bleeding or period changes
• vaginal thrush
• breast pain, tenderness, swelling, or secretions
• dizziness
• fluid retention
• weight gain or loss

Uncommon side effects (affecting up to 1 in 100 people) include:

• abdominal cramps
• bloating
• appetite changes
• elevated blood pressure
• changes in body hair
• rashes
• chloasma
• changed levels of fat in the blood

Rare side effects of Rigevidon (affecting up to 1 in 1,000) include:

• allergic reaction
• eye irritation when wearing contact lenses
• yellowing of the skin from liver problems (jaundice)
• glucose intolerance
• blood clots in a vein or artery
• rash with painful, red or purplish lumps

Very rare side effects (affecting up to 1 in 10,000 people) include:

• liver tumors
• blood clots in the vessels of the eye
• optic nerve inflammation
• worsening of underlying health conditions, including chorea, lupus, varicose veins, and porphyria
• gut inflammation due to lack of blood supply
• haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (which causes kidney and blood cell damage)

For a full list of side effects, you can also read the patient information leaflet from your pack of Rigevidon.

How long do Rigevidon side effects last?

There is an adjustment period of around 3 months when you start taking the pill, where you may experience some side effects. If they persist after that time, you should speak with your doctor.

What to do if you get Rigevidon side effects

Many side effects of Rigevidon can be managed at home. You can treat:

• headaches, dizziness, and vomiting, by staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest, and taking over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or paracetamol
• mood swings, by managing your stress level, prioritising rest and mindfulness, and engaging in meaningful activity
• breast pain, by taking over-the-counter pain medication, or applying a warm compress
• fluid retention, by reducing your salt intake and increasing your water intake

If you’re experiencing side effects that are difficult to manage and are not going away, speak with your doctor. They may recommend changing your contraception.

If you get any of the following serious side effects, contact a doctor straight away:

• swollen face, tongue, or throat
• difficulty swallowing
• difficulty breathing
• hives
• signs of a blood clot, such as swelling in 1 leg, sudden unexplained breathlessness, sharp chest pain, immediate vision loss, weakness or numbness down 1 side of the body, trouble walking, talking, or seeing

In case of an emergency, call 999 for help.

Rigevidon may not be suitable for everyone. If you have a certain medical condition or take some medications, they can interact with Rigevidon and make it less effective, or potentially unsafe.

You should not take Rigevidon if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Medical conditions

Before you start taking Rigevidon, you should let your doctor know if you have:

• diabetes
• Crohn's disease
• heart or blood pressure problems
• sickle cell anaemia
• migraines
• varicose veins
• a blood disorder
• lupus

Medications

Certain medications, foods, or supplements may interact with Rigevidon, so you should speak to your doctor if you take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications, particularly:

• tuberculosis medication such as rifampicin
• antifungal medications such as griseofulvin
• epilepsy medications such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, or topiramate
• HIV medications or antiviral medicines such as ritonavir
• antibiotics such as ampicillin or tetracycline
• ciclosporin after a transplant
• herbal supplements, vitamins, or medications that contain St John’s wort

Rigevidon is a prescription-only medication that can be purchased online from a trusted pharmacy or doctor service, and is also available on the NHS.

Can I buy Rigevidon online?

Yes, you can buy Rigevidon online with Asda Online Doctor. You will first need to complete a short online health assessment for one of our doctors to review. You will then:

1. Place your order.
2. If approved, your order will be dispatched and sent to your home address in discreet packaging, or you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after a doctor’s approval.
3. If your order is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Getting your contraceptive pill with us makes it quick and convenient to get the right contraceptive pill for you, with free aftercare and easy repeat prescriptions, all manageable through your mobile, tablet, or computer.

Can I buy Rigevidon over the counter?

No, you cannot buy Rigevidon over the counter as it is a prescription-only medication.

Can I get Rigevidon on the NHS?

Yes, you can get a prescription for Rigevidon from the NHS, but you will need to make an appointment with your doctor.

If Rigevidon is not suitable for you, there are several contraceptive pill alternatives available.

Other combined contraceptive pills that have the same active ingredients as Rigevidon include:

• Microgynon 30
• Levest

Usually, combined pills with the same ingredients are only different in some of their non-active ingredients, as they’re made by different manufacturers. They may also be priced differently.

Combined pills with the same type of oestrogen but different types of progesterone include:

• Yasmin – contains 30mcg of ethinylestradiol and 3mg of drospirenone
• Gedarel – contains either 20mcg (a low-dose combined pill) or 30mcg of ethinylestradiol and 150mcg of desogestrel
• Cilique – contains 250mcg of norgestimate and 35mcg of ethinylestradiol

If you prefer a pill with no oestrogen, then you might consider a mini pill. Some mini pill options are:

• Cerelle or Cerazette – both contain 75mcg of desogestrel
• Noriday – contains 350mcg of norethisterone
• Norgeston – containing 30mcg of levonorgestrel

Non-hormonal options

If taking a pill is not for you or you do not want to use a hormonal contraceptive, there are options available. These include:

• condoms – a barrier method that is 98% effective at preventing pregnancy and also protects against STIs
• copper intrauterine device (IUD) – more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and lasts for 5 or 10 years, depending on the type
• contraceptive implant – over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and works for 3 years before it needs replacing
• spermicides – come in a range of forms, such as gels, creams, and foams, and are 79% effective at preventing pregnancy when used alone and 96% effective when used alongside other methods