Rigevidon is a combined birth control pill that is marketed in the UK by Consilient pharmaceutical company. Based on two active ingredients, synthetic hormones ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel which mimic the activity of naturally-occurring sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone respectively, Rigevidon will prevent pregnancy in 99% of cases. As a 21-day pill, it is very easy to take and is also commonly prescribed for managing menstrual cramps and painful periods.

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How reliable is Rigevidon?

Just like most birth control pills sold on the UK markets, Rigevidon is advertised as 99% reliable in preventing pregnancy. With the time-tested and scientifically proven mechanism of action that involves mimicking the functions of progesterone and oestrogen via their synthetic, manmade bioequivalents, Rigevidon is certainly a reliable birth control pill. However, in order to ensure the maximum level of protection, you will have to use this contraceptive tablet properly, which involves following the prescriber’s advices and official guidelines provided with the medicine in the form of a patient information leaflet. So, as long as you don’t miss any pills and pay attention to use Rigevidon correctly, you should be protected from pregnancy.

However, it is also important to note that there is a number of different substances, including medications and remedies, but also certain foodstuffs which have been proven to compromise the efficiency of Rigevidon and as such, they should be avoided. Of course, when it comes to medications, avoiding them will not always be possible, nor advisable, so it is best to use additional barrier contraception for as long as the efficiency of Rigevidon is compromised. Additional details regarding how long the efficiency might be lowered in this scenario can be found in the official patient information leaflet.

The substances known to decrease the efficiency of Rigevidon include:

  • Epilepsy medications
  • Bosentan
  • Antibiotics
  • HIV medications
  • Aprepitant
  • Fosaprepitant
  • Modafinil
  • Barbiturates
  • St John’s wort
  • Metoclopramide
  • Medical charcoal
  • Colesevalem
  • Ciclosporin
  • Slegiline

How Rigevidon prevents pregnancy?

Rigevidon is a hormonal birth control pill, just like the vast majority of the products of the same class on the UK markets. That means that Rigevidon contains synthetic, manmade hormones which are capable of mimicking naturally-occurring sex hormones once they are introduced into the body. Combined contraceptive pills contain two active ingredients of the type. In case of Rigevidon, they are ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel which are synthetic bioequivalents of oestrogen and progesterone, respectively.

Both sex hormones play an important role in preparing the female body for pregnancy during each menstrual cycle. The mechanism of action of birth control pills is directly tied to this fact. When we approach the question in more detail, we can say that progesterone plays a crucial role in these processes by timing ovulation, the release of the egg cell from the ovaries to the fallopian tubes, where it can get fertilised.

The role of sex hormones in conception and pregnancy

If the fertilisation occurs, the egg will travel to the womb and implant into the uterine wall where the foetus can continue to develop. The environment in the uterus is in turn directly tied to the activity of oestrogen. With this in mind, the mechanism of action of Rigevidon seems almost straightforward. Thanks to synthetic progesterone, levonorgestrel, this contraceptive pill will trick the body into “thinking” that ovulation already took place, so the egg cell will not be released.

But, combined birth control pills have an additional secondary line of defence. Through ethinylestradiol, synthetic oestrogen, Rigevidon will change the environment by the uterine wall, making it much harder for the egg cell to implant. At the same time, it will contribute to the thickening of the vaginal fluid which will in turn make it more difficult for sperm to navigate through the cervix and reach the fallopian tubes. As a consequence, combined oral contraceptives such as Rigevidon or Sunya, for example, will prevent pregnancy in several different ways and this multidimensional approach makes them more reliable that progesterone-only alternative in the form of mini-pills.

How to take Rigevidon?

In order to make the most out of taking Rigevidon and ensure maximum level of protection, you need to pay special attention to always use this contraceptive pill exactly as instructed by your doctor and in line with the official information that you can find in the official patient information leaflet that is issued within every pack of Rigevidon. These two – the doctor’s advices and official guidelines – are the backbone of proper use of the medication.

Below, we will provide you with some of the most general guidelines related to proper use of Rigevidon. However, it is very important to note that the text that follows is intended to be used for illustrative purposes, in other words, to help you get a better idea of what taking Rigevidon might involve. As such, it cannot be used as a replacement for the doctor’s instructions or the official guidelines.

  • Always take exactly as instructed
  • Never go against the official guidelines
  • Rigevidon pills should be taken continuously over the period of 21 days before a 7-day break when no pills are taken
  • Following the one-week break, repeat the course
  • During the first three weeks, take one tablet daily; be careful to take each pill at roughly the same time of the day
  • Use the arrows and other labels on the strip to keep track of your treatment and ensure you have not missed any pills
  • Take Rigevidon pills with water, never chew or break them
  • If you miss a dose, do not try to compensate by doubling the next dose; instead, please consult the leaflet on how to proceed

What are Rigevidon side effects?

As is the case with all prescription-medications and especially birth control pills, Rigevidon can also cause certain side effects in women who are especially susceptible to them. And, the side effects come in two groups – on one hand, there are side effects which are uncomfortable, but not really dangerous and on the other hand, there are those side effects which, if they manifest, will require you to stop treatment and seek immediate medical advice. The latter include any signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, breast or cervical cancer, blood clot, stroke or heart attack, as well as liver failure.

The other documented side effects include:

Frequency of occurrence Side effects
Very common (1 in 10 women or more) Irregular bleeding, general malaise, weight gain, tender breasts, headache
Common (1 in 10 women or less) Mood swings, acne, reduced bleeding or absence of period, weight gain, fluid retention, changes in libido, anxiety, eye irritation and dryness, sight issues, migraines
Uncommon (1 in 100 women) Hypertension, enhanced levels of blood fat, hearing impairments, gallstones, pancreatitis, skin disorders, liver tumours, changes in vaginal secretions, chorea, systemic lupus erythematosus

Please keep in mind that this is not a full list of all documented side effects. For a more comprehensive overview, please refer to the official patient information leaflet that you can find within your pack of Rigevidon.