Rigevidon is a combined contraceptive pill, also known as ‘the pill’. It contains synthetic versions of female hormones such as ethinylestradiol (estrogen) and Levonorgestrel (progesterone) in low doses. 

Rigevidon helps prevent unwanted pregnancy, this medication also helps in alleviating the pain and discomfort caused to women due to menstrual bleeding and brings regularity in periods.

Oral contraceptive pills like Rigevidon offer a plethora of benefits to women, such as – 

• Protection against unwanted pregnancy

• Less painful, lighter, and more regular periods.

• Rigevidon prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg and also prevents sperm cells from entering the uterus

• This medication also increases the thickness of mucus around the neck of the womb, making it difficult for the sperm to reach inside the uterus

Rigevidon contains the synthetic versions of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. The level of these hormones tends to vary in your body, according to where you are in your menstrual cycle. Rigevidon helps you override your menstrual cycle. The additional hormones from the pill trick your ovaries into believing that ovulation has already occurred. 

Therefore, the ovaries do not release any eggs when you are taking Rigevidon. The hormones also increase the thickness of the mucus at the neck of the womb preventing sperm cells from entering the uterus. The hormones in the medicine change the womb lining or endometrium to make it less hospitable for a fertilized egg.

If you take your first pill of Rigevidon within the first five days of your period, you will be protected from pregnancy straight away. However, if you start Rigevidon later in your cycle, (provided you are not pregnant) it is advisable to use additional contraception such as condoms for at least seven days after starting your pills. 

You can stop taking the combined pill Rigevidon at any time. It usually takes at least two weeks for your reproductive system to normalize and for you to start ovulating again. However, everyone’s body is different and it could take up to 3 months for your body to adjust to the change.

You can order Rigevidon on Meds Now. Consult our doctors online to get the right prescription for your contraception needs. Meds Now delivers the medicines directly to your doorstep.

1. Rigevidon is a monophasic contraceptive pill. This means that every pill in your pack has the same dosage of hormones. 

2. Take one pill every day at the same time every day for twenty-one days. Each pill should be swallowed with a drink. You can take these pills with or without food.

3. Rigevidon pack comes marked with days of the week to help you remember to take a pill every day for 3 weeks. 

4. After that, you have a seven-day break from pill-taking. During this seven-day break, you are likely to experience withdrawal bleeding similar to a period. 

5. Start the next pack of Rigevidon exactly seven days from the day when you took the last pill of the previous pack. Do this even if you are still bleeding.

6. On your week off from pill-taking, you are still protected from unwanted pregnancy.

The recommended dosage of Rigevidon is to take one tablet daily for three weeks. This is followed by a seven-day break from pill-taking. Exactly seven-days from the day you took the last pill from the previous pack, you should start a new pack of Rigevidon pills.

Rigevidon is suitable for all women over the age of puberty and lower than the age of menopause – to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. This is a prescription medicine and should be taken only after consultation with a doctor. You shouldn’t take Rigevidon if – 

• You are breastfeeding or pregnant

• You have high blood pressure (hypertension)

• You are over 35 years of age and you have a habit of smoking

• You are above 50 years of age

• You are very overweight (BMI above 35)

• You have had a heart attack, angina, or stroke in the past

• You have had a blood clot in your legs or lungs in the past, or you have a disease that makes you susceptible to blood clots

• You are undergoing treatment for varicose veins

• You have a heart-related disease

• You have severe diabetes that may cause complications to your eyes, kidneys, or nervous system

• You experience migraines (with aura)

• You have or have had breast cancer, liver cancer, or severe cirrhosis

• You have active liver disease

• You have a gall bladder disease

• You have abnormal vaginal bleeding

• You have disorders of bile excretion

• You have blood disorders known as porphyrias

• You are lactose intolerant

• You have gallstones

• You have excess urea in your blood

Most women don’t experience any side effects of taking Rigevidon. However, in rare cases, the following side effects have been reported.

• Nausea and vomiting

• High blood pressure.

• Headache or migraines

• Weight changes

• Breast tenderness 

• Change in menstrual bleeding, usually lighter periods or sometimes stopping of periods.

• Menstrual spotting or breakthrough bleeding.

• Stomachache

• Fluid Retention in the body tissues

• Blood clots in the blood vessels

• Vaginal thrush (candidiasis) or fungal infections

• Depression.

• Decreased sex drive.

• Irregular brown patches on the skin, usually of the face (Chloasma).

• Steepening of corneal curvature, which may make contact lenses uncomfortable.

When taking Rigevidon, keep your doctor’s instructions in mind and take the pill only as prescribed. Here are some precautions to follow – 

• Take the pills exactly as directed by the doctor

• Do not miss any pills and take them at the same time every day

• Share all the details of your medical history and the names of any medications you are taking, with your doctor when taking a consultation about contraceptive pills.

When taking contraceptive pills such as Rigevidon, talk to your doctor about the medicines you may already be taking (prescription and over-the-counter) to ensure that none of the medicines interacts with Rigevidon to reduce its effect and vice versa.

Similarly, whenever you are taking any new medicines discuss with your doctor about the contraceptives you are using to make sure that the combination is safe for you. 

The following medicines are known to reduce the effect of Rigevidon and should not be taken at the same time as Rigevidon – 

• Aprepitant

• Bosentan

• Barbiturates

• Carbamazepine

• Cobicistat

• Crizotinib

• Dabrafenib

• Eslicarbazepine

• Modafinil

• Nevirapine

• Oxcarbazepine

• Perampanel (12mg)

• Phenobarbital

• Phenytoin

• Primidone

• Rifampicin

• Rifabutin

• Ritonavir

• Rufinamide

• Telaprevir

• The herbal remedy St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)

• Topiramate

• Vemurafenib

Missing more than one pill may affect your protection against unwanted pregnancy. However, if you have missed just one pill – take it within the next 48 hours as soon as you remember, then take the next pill at the regular time. This could mean taking two pills in one day.

If you have missed more than one pill or you are more than 48 hours late in starting your new pack of pills – your contraception is surely compromised. Immediately, take a pill as soon as you remember and the next one at your regular time (even if you need to take two pills in one day). Then continue to take your pills but use additional contraception for at least seven days.

If you or anyone else has taken an overdose of Rigevidon, you should immediately seek medical attention. An overdose of Rigevidon may cause nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, dizziness, tummy pain, drowsiness, and fatigue. You should see a doctor immediately, even if you are not experiencing any discomfort or poisoning symptoms.

Does Rigevidon cause weight gain?

There is no medical evidence to suggest that taking Rigevidon affects your weight. You may find weight changes during your cycle due to fluid retention and other unrelated reasons.

What happens if you take Rigevidon an hour late?

Taking Rigevidon one hour late or earlier does not affect your contraception in any way. 

Does Rigevidon cause acne?

There is no medical evidence to suggest that Rigevidon causes acne. You may find some acne on your skin when you are taking Rigevidon but this is mostly due to changing hormonal levels. 

Can the Rigevidon pill make you tired?

Fatigue is a rare side effect of Rigevidon that has been reported in a few cases. This is usually a result of hormonal changes that happen as a result of taking oral contraceptive pills.

Can you get pregnant on Rigevidon?

Rigevidon is effective in avoiding pregnancy in 99% of the cases if taken correctly. However, if you have vomiting or diarrhea you may not be protected against unwanted pregnancy. 

Can I take Rigevidon if I'm breastfeeding?

It is not advisable to take Rigevidon for at least six weeks after childbirth if you are breastfeeding. Consult your doctor to find the right time when you can begin taking oral contraceptives after childbirth.

Will I get pregnant if I miss one pill?

If you have missed a pill, then take the pill as soon as you remember within 48 hours. Then take the next pill at your regular time as usual. If you do this, you will be protected against pregnancy.

However, if you have missed more than one pill or it has been more than 48 hours since your forgotten pill – you may have lost your protection against pregnancy and need to use additional contraception such as condoms for seven days.

How long does Rigevidon take to leave your system?

After you stop taking Rigevidon, it usually takes at least two weeks for your reproductive system to normalize and for you to start ovulating again. However, everyone’s body is different and it could take up to 3 months for your body to adjust to the change.

Do you have a period on Rigevidon?

During the seven-day pill-free period after finishing a pack of Rigevidon, you will experience withdrawal bleeding similar to your periods.

Can I skip my period on Rigevidon?

Taking 2 packs of Rigevidon back-to-back means you could avoid having your period. 

Can you take Rigevidon continuously?

Talk to your doctor about the most suitable way for taking Rigevidon for you. However, some women do opt for continuously taking Rigevidon and this is known as the extended-use regime. It involves taking the pill every day until breakthrough bleeding occurs for 3-4 days, then taking a 4-day break before starting a new pack. No additional contraception is needed in this case.