Rigevidon is a combined contraceptive pill containing ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and levonorgestrel 150 micrograms. It is taken once a day for 21 days, followed by a 7 day break. It is clinically equivalent to Microgynon 30 and Levest.

Is Rigevidon the same as Levest?

Yes. Levest also contains ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and levonorgestrel 150 micrograms. If your pharmacy switches you between Rigevidon, Levest, and Microgynon, the medicine and the contraceptive effect are the same.

What are the side effects of Rigevidon?

Common side effects include headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes, and breakthrough bleeding. These usually settle within 2 to 3 months. Rigevidon carries a small increased risk of blood clots, as all combined pills do.

Is Rigevidon a mini pill?

No. Rigevidon is a combined pill, containing both an oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and a progestogen (levonorgestrel). The mini pill contains only one hormone. If you cannot take oestrogen, a mini pill may suit you better.

How long does Rigevidon take to work?

If you start Rigevidon on the first day of your period, you are protected straight away. If you start at any other time, use condoms for the first 7 days of taking it.

Can I skip my period on Rigevidon?

Yes. You can run packs back to back by skipping the 7 day break. This is supported by current FSRH guidance and is safe to do regularly. You may get some breakthrough bleeding, especially at first.

What can I use as an alternative to Rigevidon?

Microgynon, Levest, and Ovranette are the same medicine and are direct alternatives. If you cannot take oestrogen, a progestogen-only mini pill is a suitable alternative. Your pharmacist will help you choose based on your medical history.

Rigevidon: What You Need to Know

Reviewed by Usama Ali, MPharm (GPhC: 2224726). Last reviewed: July 2026.

Rigevidon is a combined contraceptive pill containing ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and levonorgestrel 150 micrograms. It is clinically equivalent to Microgynon 30 and Levest. Levonorgestrel pills carry the lowest blood clot risk among combined pills and are usually the first type offered.

Rigevidon is taken for 21 days followed by a 7 day break. It is available free on the NHS through the Pharmacy Contraception Service.

What is Rigevidon?

Rigevidon is a combined contraceptive pill containing two hormones: ethinylestradiol (an oestrogen) at 30 micrograms and levonorgestrel (a progestogen) at 150 micrograms. It is manufactured by Gedeon Richter.

Rigevidon is the same medicine as Microgynon 30, Levest, and Ovranette. All four brands contain ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and levonorgestrel 150 micrograms. The only differences are the manufacturer, the packaging, and some inactive ingredients. The contraceptive effect is identical.

Levonorgestrel combined pills are the most commonly prescribed type in the UK and are usually the first combined pill offered. They carry the lowest blood clot risk among combined pills, which is why the FSRH considers them first-line.

How does Rigevidon work?

Rigevidon prevents pregnancy in three ways. It stops your ovaries from releasing an egg each month. It thickens the mucus at the cervix, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg. And it thins the lining of the womb, reducing the chance of a fertilised egg implanting.

Taken correctly, Rigevidon is more than 99% effective. With typical use (where pills are occasionally missed or taken late), effectiveness is around 91% (FSRH, 2023).

How do you take Rigevidon?

Take one tablet at the same time each day for 21 days. Then have a 7 day break during which you will usually get a withdrawal bleed. After the 7 days, start the next pack. The withdrawal bleed is not a true period. It happens because hormone levels drop during the break.

Rigevidon has a 24 hour late window. If you take it less than 24 hours late, you are still protected. If you miss it by more than 24 hours, follow the missed pill guidance in the patient information leaflet or use our missed pill tool.

If you start Rigevidon on day 1 of your period, you are protected straight away. If you start on any other day, use condoms for the first 7 days.

Is Rigevidon the same as Microgynon and Levest?

Yes. Rigevidon, Microgynon 30, and Levest contain the same two active ingredients at the same doses. They work in the same way, have the same effectiveness, carry the same risks, and produce the same side effects. The only difference is who makes them.

Brand	Active ingredients	Manufacturer	Clinically equivalent?
Microgynon 30	EE 30mcg + LNG 150mcg	Bayer	Reference product
Rigevidon	EE 30mcg + LNG 150mcg	Gedeon Richter	Yes
Levest	EE 30mcg + LNG 150mcg	Morningside Healthcare	Yes
Ovranette	EE 30mcg + LNG 150mcg	Pfizer	Yes

If your pharmacy switches you from Microgynon to Rigevidon, or from Rigevidon to Levest, the medicine has not changed. Under the NHS, pharmacies are expected to supply the most cost-effective product. This is why switches happen and why they are nothing to worry about.

"People often ask us whether Rigevidon is as good as Microgynon," says Usama Ali, MPharm (GPhC: 2224726), pharmacist at Contraception Direct. "It is the same medicine. The active ingredients and doses are identical, so the contraceptive effect is exactly the same."

What are the side effects?

Common side effects listed in the Rigevidon Summary of Product Characteristics include headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes including low mood, and breakthrough bleeding or spotting. These are most common in the first 2 to 3 months and usually settle as your body adjusts.

Some people find the combined pill helps with period pain, heavy periods, and PMS. Others experience a slight increase in blood pressure or changes in libido. These effects are the same across all levonorgestrel combined pills because the active ingredients are the same.

For a full breakdown of what to expect, read our guide on side effects of the pill.

What about blood clot risk?

All combined pills carry a small increased risk of venous thromboembolism (blood clots). Levonorgestrel pills like Rigevidon carry the lowest risk among combined pills.

Group	Blood clots per 10,000 users per year
Not using hormonal contraception	About 2
Levonorgestrel combined pill (Rigevidon, Microgynon, Levest)	5 to 7
Drospirenone combined pill (Yasmin, Lucette)	9 to 12
During pregnancy	About 29

These figures come from the FSRH Combined Hormonal Contraception guideline. The risk is real but small. This is one reason why levonorgestrel pills are offered first.

The mini pill does not carry any increased blood clot risk. If clot risk is a concern for you, it is a suitable alternative. For more detail, read our guide on the pill and blood clots.

Who can take Rigevidon?

Rigevidon is available from menarche up to age 49 through the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service. At Contraception Direct, we supply to patients aged 16 to 49. Your pharmacist checks your medical history, takes a blood pressure reading (within the last 12 months), and calculates your BMI before supplying it.

Rigevidon is not suitable if you have a history of blood clots (DVT or PE), experience migraine with aura at any age, smoke and are 35 or over, have a BMI of 35 or above, have blood pressure at or above 140/90 mmHg, or are breastfeeding in the first 6 weeks after birth.

If the combined pill is not suitable for you, the mini pill is usually a good alternative. It does not contain oestrogen and has fewer contraindications.

Can you skip your period on Rigevidon?

Yes. You can run packs back to back by skipping the 7 day break and starting a new pack straight away. This means you skip the withdrawal bleed. Current FSRH guidance supports this approach and confirms it is safe to do regularly.

You may get some breakthrough bleeding or spotting, especially in the first few months of running packs together. This usually settles over time.

Some people prefer to take a shorter break (4 days instead of 7) to reduce the risk of ovulation during the break. Your pharmacist can explain the different regimens if you are interested.

How to get Rigevidon free

Rigevidon is available free on the NHS through your GP, a sexual health clinic, or a pharmacy through the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service. With Contraception Direct, you book a free phone consultation, your pharmacist checks your suitability, and your pill is posted in discreet packaging within 1 to 3 working days.

Under the PCS, your pharmacist supplies the most cost-effective levonorgestrel combined pill available. You may receive Rigevidon, Microgynon, Levest, or Ovranette. They are all the same medicine.

If you are currently on Rigevidon and want to continue, want to switch from another pill, or want to start for the first time, book a consultation. Your pharmacist will confirm whether it is right for you.

Frequently asked questions

What is Rigevidon?: Rigevidon is a combined contraceptive pill containing ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and levonorgestrel 150 micrograms. It is taken once a day for 21 days, followed by a 7 day break. It is clinically equivalent to Microgynon 30 and Levest.
Is Rigevidon the same as Microgynon?: Yes. Both contain ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and levonorgestrel 150 micrograms. They are the same medicine made by different manufacturers. Microgynon is made by Bayer, Rigevidon by Gedeon Richter. The contraceptive effect is identical.
Is Rigevidon the same as Levest?: Yes. Levest also contains ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and levonorgestrel 150 micrograms. If your pharmacy switches you between Rigevidon, Levest, and Microgynon, the medicine and the contraceptive effect are the same.
What are the side effects of Rigevidon?: Common side effects include headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes, and breakthrough bleeding. These usually settle within 2 to 3 months. Rigevidon carries a small increased risk of blood clots, as all combined pills do.
How late can I take Rigevidon?: Rigevidon has a 24 hour late window. If you take it less than 24 hours late, you are still protected. If you miss it by more than 24 hours, follow the missed pill guidance or use our missed pill tool.
Is Rigevidon a mini pill?: No. Rigevidon is a combined pill, containing both an oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and a progestogen (levonorgestrel). The mini pill contains only one hormone. If you cannot take oestrogen, a mini pill may suit you better.
How long does Rigevidon take to work?: If you start Rigevidon on the first day of your period, you are protected straight away. If you start at any other time, use condoms for the first 7 days of taking it.
Can I skip my period on Rigevidon?: Yes. You can run packs back to back by skipping the 7 day break. This is supported by current FSRH guidance and is safe to do regularly. You may get some breakthrough bleeding, especially at first.
What can I use as an alternative to Rigevidon?: Microgynon, Levest, and Ovranette are the same medicine and are direct alternatives. If you cannot take oestrogen, a progestogen-only mini pill is a suitable alternative. Your pharmacist will help you choose based on your medical history.

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