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SECTION_START: Description Rigevidon is a highly effective generic combined contraceptive pill, serving as the counterpart to Microgynon. Widely used in the UK, Rigevidon offers a reliable contraceptive option.
When used correctly, Rigevidon boasts an effectiveness rate of over 99% in preventing pregnancy. Additionally, it's often recommended for individuals experiencing very painful or heavy periods, providing additional relief beyond contraception.
SECTION_END: Description
SECTION_START: Directions Most women choose to take 1 pill daily for 21 days, then have a 4 or 7-day break before starting the next pack. During this break you&rsquo;re likely to have a withdrawal bleed. This is like a period but isn&rsquo;t one.
You can also take Rigevidon as follows, if directed by your doctor:&nbsp; &bull; Tricycling: Take 1 pill daily for 9 weeks without a break. After 9 weeks (3 packs of pills) take a 4 or 7-day break and then start the cycle again.&nbsp; &bull; Continuous use: Take 1 pill daily without a break.&nbsp; &bull; Flexible extended use: Take 1 pill daily for at least 21 days. If you get bleeding that&rsquo;s unacceptable to you, take a 4-day break. On the 5th day, start taking the pill daily again and don&rsquo;t have another break for at least 21 days.
SECTION_END: Directions
SECTION_START: Warnings Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Serious side effects &bull; Contact a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms of angioedema: swollen face, tongue and/or throat and/or difficulty swallowing or hives, potentially with difficulty breathing.
An increased risk of blood clots in your veins [venous thromboembolism (VTE)] or blood clots in your arteries [arterial thromboembolism (ATE)] is present for all women taking combined hormonal contraceptives.
The following side effects have been reported in women using the pill, which can occur in the first few months after starting Rigevidon, but they usually stop once your body has adjusted to the pill.
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
&bull; Vaginitis, including vaginal candidiasis &bull; Mood swings including depression &bull; Changes in interest in sex &bull; Nervousness, dizziness, feeling sick, being sick or abdominal pain &bull; Acne &bull; Breast tenderness, breast pain, breast enlargement and discharge &bull; Painful menstruation &bull; Abnormality of cervix (change in cervical ectropion) &bull; Change of vaginal secretion &bull; No or reduced bleeding &bull; Fluid retention/oedema &bull; Changes in weight.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
&bull; Changes in appetite &bull; Elevated blood pressure &bull; Abdominal cramps &bull; Bloating &bull; Rash &bull; Chloasma (yellow brown patches on the skin), which may persist &bull; Excessive hair growth &bull; Hair loss &bull; Changes in serum lipid levels including hypertriglyceridemia. Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
&bull; Severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction with very rare cases of hives, swelling of face, tongue, severe circulatory and respiratory disorders) &bull; Glucose intolerance &bull; Eye irritation when wearing contact lenses &bull; Yellowing of the skin (jaundice) &bull; The skin condition erythema nodosum (characterised by painful reddish skin nodules) &bull; Harmful blood clots in a vein or artery, for example: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; o In a leg or foot (i.e. DVT) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; o&nbsp;In a lung (i.e. PE) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; o&nbsp;Heart attack &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; o&nbsp;Stroke &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; o&nbsp; Mini-stroke or temporary stroke-like symptoms, known as a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; o Blood clots in the liver, stomach/intestine, kidneys or eye. The chance of having a blood clot may be higher if you have any other conditions that increase this risk.
Very rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
&bull; Benign or malignant tumour of liver &bull; Aggravation of immune system disease (lupus) &bull; Aggravation of porphyria &bull; Exacerbation of chorea (an involuntary movement disorder)&nbsp; &bull; Inflammation of the optic nerve &bull; Blood clots in the blood vessels of the eye &bull; Aggravation of varicose veins &bull; Inflammation of the large intestine (ischaemic colitis) &bull; Inflammation of the pancreas &bull; Gallbladder disease (including gallstones) &bull; Erythema multiforme (characterised by rash with target-shaped reddening or sores) &bull; A blood disorder called haemolytic uraemic syndrome - HUS (a disorder where blood clots cause the kidneys to fail) &bull; Decrease in serum folate levels.
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
&bull; Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn&rsquo;s Disease, ulcerative colitis), hepatocellular injury (e.g. hepatitis, hepatic function abnormal).
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed here. You can also report side effects directly . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
United Kingdom Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
SECTION_END: Warnings
SECTION_START: Ingredients The active substances are levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol. One coated tablet contains 150 micrograms levonorgestrel and 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol.
The other ingredients are: Colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, talc, maize starch, lactose monohydrate (33 mg), sucrose, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide (E171), copovidone, macrogol 6000, povidone carmellose sodium.
SECTION_END: Ingredients
SECTION_START: FAQs What should I do if I miss the pill? If you miss one pill at any time, it does not compromise contraception. Take the missed pill as soon as you remember and continue the rest of the pack as usual. You may need to take two pills in one day. If it's been more than 48 hours since your last pill, it depends on your pill packet and when you last took your pill. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Can smokers use Rigevidon? Smokers under 35 may be offered Rigevidon. However, those over 35 are advised to consider alternative contraception methods due to potential health risks.
Is Rigevidon safe to use whilst breastfeeding? It's not recommended to use Rigevidon until 6 weeks after childbirth if breastfeeding.
Will Rigevidon affect my weight? There's no evidence suggesting Rigevidon directly affects weight. Weight changes may occur due to fluid retention or other unrelated factors.
Can Rigevidon stop periods? Taking two packs of Rigevidon back-to-back can prevent a period.
Are Rigevidon and Microgynon the same? Rigevidon and Microgynon contain the same hormones in the same dosages. Rigevidon is the generic version, offering a potentially more cost-effective solution.
Safety: taking other medicines Rigevidon can generally be taken alongside other medicines. Inform your healthcare provider of any prescription, over-the-counter medicines, or recreational drugs you're taking to ensure safe prescription of Rigevidon. SECTION_END: FAQs

Rigevidon

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