


Leaflet: information for the user
Rigevidon 0.03 mg/0.15 mg coated tablets EFG
ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel
Read this leaflet carefully before starting to take this medicine, as it contains important information for you.
Contents of the leaflet
Rigevidon is a combined oral contraceptive, also known as the birth control pill. It contains two types of female hormones: an estrogen, ethinylestradiol, and a progestogen, levonorgestrel, at a low dose.
The combined birth control pill prevents you from becoming pregnant in three ways. These hormones:
General information
If taken correctly, oral contraceptives are an effective form of reversible birth control. However, under certain circumstances, the effectiveness of the contraceptive may decrease, or you may need to stop taking it (see below). In these cases, either do not have sexual intercourse or use other non-hormonal birth control precautions (such as condoms or another barrier method) during sexual intercourse to ensure effective birth control.
Remember that combined oral contraceptives like Rigevidon will not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (such as AIDS). Only condoms can do this.
Before starting to take Rigevidon, you should read the information about blood clots in section 2. It is particularly important that you read the symptoms of a blood clot (see section 2 "Blood clots").
Before you can start taking Rigevidon, your doctor will ask you some questions about your medical history and that of your close relatives. Your doctor will also measure your blood pressure and, depending on your personal situation, may perform some other tests.
This leaflet describes some situations in which you should stop using Rigevidon or where the reliability of Rigevidon may be decreased. In these situations, you should not have sex or should take extra non-hormonal contraceptive precautions, such as using a condom or some other barrier method. Do not use the rhythm or temperature method. These methods may not be reliable as Rigevidon alters the monthly changes in body temperature and cervical mucus.
Rigevidon, like other hormonal contraceptives, does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease.
When not to take Rigevidon
You should not take Rigevidon if you have any of the conditions listed below. Inform your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below. Your doctor will discuss with you what other form of contraception would be more suitable.
Do not take Rigevidon:
Do not use Rigevidon if you have hepatitis C and are taking medicines that contain ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/voxilaprevir (see also section "Other medicines and Rigevidon").
St John's Wort should not be taken at the same time as Rigevidon because the contraceptive effect may be reduced.
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take Rigevidon.
When should you contact your doctor? Seek urgent medical attention If you experience symptoms of angioedema such as swelling of the face, tongue and/or throat and/or difficulty swallowing or urticaria with possible difficulty breathing, contact a doctor immediately. Medicines that contain oestrogens may cause or worsen the symptoms of hereditary and acquired angioedema.
To get a description of the symptoms of these serious side effects, see "How to recognise a blood clot". |
If you have any of the following diseases/situations, you can only take Rigevidon under strict medical supervision, as these situations may worsen while you are taking the contraceptive.
If the condition develops or worsens while using Rigevidon, you should also inform your doctor.
BLOOD CLOTS
The use of a combined hormonal contraceptive like Rigevidon increases your risk of having a blood clot in comparison with not using it. In rare cases, a blood clot can block blood vessels and cause serious problems.
Blood clots can form:
Recovery from blood clots is not always complete. In rare cases, there can be serious lasting effects or, very rarely, they can be fatal.
It is important to remember that the overall risk of a harmful blood clot due to Rigevidon is small.
HOW TO RECOGNISE A BLOOD CLOT
Seek urgent medical attention if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms.
Are you experiencing any of these signs? | What might you be suffering from? |
| Deep vein thrombosis |
If you are unsure, consult a doctor, as some of these symptoms, such as cough or shortness of breath, can be mistaken for a milder condition such as a respiratory infection (e.g. the common cold). | Pulmonary embolism |
Symptoms that occur more frequently in one eye:
| Retinal vein thrombosis (blood clot in the eye) |
| Heart attack |
Sometimes the symptoms of a stroke can be brief, with almost immediate and complete recovery, but you should still seek urgent medical attention as you may be at risk of having another stroke. | Stroke |
| Blood clots that block other blood vessels |
BLOOD CLOTS IN A VEIN
What can happen if a blood clot forms in a vein?
When is the risk of having a blood clot in a vein higher?
The risk of having a blood clot in a vein is higher during the first year of taking a combined hormonal contraceptive for the first time. The risk may also be higher if you start taking a combined hormonal contraceptive (the same medicine or a different one) again after a break of 4 weeks or more.
After the first year, the risk decreases, but it is always slightly higher than if you were not taking a combined hormonal contraceptive.
When you stop taking Rigevidon, your risk of having a blood clot returns to normal within a few weeks.
What is the risk of having a blood clot?
The risk depends on your natural risk of VTE and the type of combined hormonal contraceptive you are taking.
The overall risk of having a blood clot in the leg or lung (DVT or PE) with Rigevidon is small.
Risk of having a blood clot in a year | |
Women who do not usea combined hormonal contraceptive pill/patch/ring and who are not pregnant | About 2 out of 10,000 women |
Women who use a combined hormonal contraceptive that contains levonorgestrel | About 5-7 out of 10,000 women |
Women who use Rigevidon | About 5-7 out of 10,000 women |
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in a vein
The risk of having a blood clot with Rigevidon is small, but some conditions will increase the risk. Your risk is higher:
The risk of having a blood clot increases the more conditions you have.
Long-haul flights (more than 4 hours) may temporarily increase the risk of a blood clot, especially if you have any of the other risk factors listed.
It is important to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed above, even if you are not sure. Your doctor may decide that you should stop taking Rigevidon.
If any of the conditions listed above change while you are taking Rigevidon, for example, if you become pregnant or start smoking, a close relative has a thrombosis without any apparent reason, or you gain a lot of weight, tell your doctor.
BLOOD CLOTS IN AN ARTERY
What can happen if a blood clot forms in an artery?
Like a blood clot in a vein, a clot in an artery can cause serious problems. For example, it can cause a heart attack or a stroke.
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in an artery
It is important to note that the risk of a heart attack or stroke due to Rigevidon is very small, but it can increase:
If you have one or more of these conditions or if any of them are particularly severe, the risk of having a blood clot may be increased even further.
If any of the conditions listed above change while you are taking Rigevidon, for example, if you start smoking, a close relative has a thrombosis without any apparent reason, or you gain a lot of weight, tell your doctor.
Oral contraceptives and cancer
Some studies have found an increased risk of cervical cancer in women who have taken oral contraceptives for a long time. It is not clear whether this increased risk is caused by the oral contraceptives, as it may be due to sexual behaviour and other factors.
Breast cancer has been found to occur slightly more often in women who take oral contraceptives than in women of the same age who do not take them. If women stop taking oral contraceptives, the risk decreases, so that 10 years after stopping oral contraceptives, the risk of finding breast cancer is the same as for women who have never taken oral contraceptives. It is not clear whether oral contraceptives cause an increased risk of breast cancer. It may be that women who take oral contraceptives are examined more frequently, so that breast cancer is detected earlier.
Malignant and benign liver tumours have been reported in women who take oral contraceptives. Liver tumours can cause life-threatening internal bleeding. Therefore, if you have severe pain in the upper abdomen that does not disappear within a short time, you should tell your doctor.
Psychiatric disorders
Some women who use hormonal contraceptives like Rigevidon have reported depression or a depressed mood. Depression can be severe and sometimes may lead to suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes or depressive symptoms, contact your doctor for further medical advice as soon as possible.
Regular check-ups
Once you have started taking Rigevidon, your doctor will see you regularly, usually every year, or if you have any problems, you can see your doctor at any time.
Children and adolescents
Rigevidon is not indicated for use before the first menstrual period (menarche).
Follow exactly the administration instructions of this medicine indicated by your doctor. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
The daily dose is one coated tablet.
You should try to take the tablet at approximately the same time every day.It may be easiest to take it either before going to bed or just after getting up.
Swallow the tablet whole, if necessary with water.
Each pack of Rigevidon contains 1 reminder blister pack of 21 coated tablets or 3 reminder blister packs of 21 coated tablets. The reminder blister pack has been designed to help you remember to take the tablets.
The blister pack is marked with the day of the week on which you should take each tablet. You should take one tablet each day for 21 days, following the direction of the arrow printed on the pack, until the blister pack is empty.
Then come 7 days when you take no tablets. During the 7 days without tablets, on day 2 or 3, you will have a withdrawal bleed similar to a period, i.e., your period.
Start the next blister pack on the 8th day (after the 7 days without tablets) – even if the bleeding has not finished yet. While taking Rigevidon correctly, you will always start each new blister pack on the same day of the week, and you will always have your period on the same day every 28 days.
Starting the first pack
If you did not use oral contraceptives during the previous cycle.
Take the first tablet on the first day of your period. This is the first day of your cycle – the day when bleeding begins. Take a tablet marked for that day of the week (e.g., if your period starts on a Tuesday, take the tablet marked as Tuesday on the blister pack). Follow the direction of the arrow and continue taking one tablet each day until the blister pack is empty.
If you start on days 2-5 of your period, you should also use another contraceptive method, such as a condom, for the first 7 days of taking the tablets, but only during the first blister pack. You do not need to use another method of contraception during the 7-day break, provided you have taken the 21 tablets correctly and start the next blister pack on time.
Switching to Rigevidon from another hormonal contraceptive
Start taking Rigevidon the day after taking the last tablet from the previous contraceptive blister pack. Do not leave a gap between packs. If the previous contraceptive blister pack contains inactive tablets as well, start taking Rigevidon the day after taking the last active tablet (and not more than one day after taking the last inactive tablet from the previous pack). When switching from a combined contraceptive vaginal ring or patch, follow your doctor's advice.
If you are unsure or have more questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Switching to Rigevidon from a progestogen-only contraceptive (POP or mini-pill)
You can stop taking the progestogen-only contraceptive at any time and start taking Rigevidon the next day, at the same time. However, make sure to use additional contraception (such as a condom) for the first 7 days of taking the tablets.
Switching to Rigevidon from an injectable or implant contraceptive
If you have been given an injection or an implant of progestogen hormones, you can start taking Rigevidon on the day you would have your next injection or on the day your implant is removed. However, you should use another contraceptive method (such as a condom) for the first 7 days of taking the tablets.
Starting after childbirth or abortion (spontaneous or induced)
Your doctor should advise you about taking contraceptives after childbirth or abortion (spontaneous or induced).
You can start taking Rigevidon immediately after an abortion that occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy. In this case, you do not need to take additional contraceptive measures.
If you have had a child or have had an abortion during the second trimester of pregnancy, your doctor will advise you about taking contraceptives.
The duration of treatment has no limit, but frequent check-ups are recommended.
If you take more Rigevidon than you should
If you take more Rigevidon than you should, it is unlikely to harm you, but you may feel nauseous, vomit, have abdominal pain, chest pain, dizziness, numbness/fatigue, and in young girls, small amounts of vaginal bleeding. If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your doctor, who can tell you what to do, if necessary.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone: 91 562 04 20, indicating the medicine and the amount taken.
If you forget to take Rigevidon
If you forget to take your contraceptive, follow these instructions. Note that the contraceptive effectiveness may be reduced if you forget a dose, especially if this increases the time between the last tablet of the current blister pack and the first tablet of the next.
If you are less than 12 hours late taking a tablet
If you take the last tablet as soon as you remember, and continue taking the following tablets at the usual time, you are still protected against pregnancy. This may mean taking two tablets in one day.
If you are more than 12 hours late taking a tablet
If you are more than 12 hours late taking a tablet, your protection against pregnancy may be reduced, so you should take extra contraceptive precautions. The more tablets you have missed, the greater the risk that your contraceptive protection will be reduced.
If you have missed more than one tablet, ask your doctor for advice
What to do if you forget a tablet in the first week
You should take the last tablet you missed as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two tablets at the same time. Then, continue taking the tablets at the usual time of day. During the next 7 days, you should also use a barrier method, such as a condom. If you have had sex in the 7 days before missing the tablet, the possibility of pregnancy should be considered. The more tablets you have missed and the closer they are to the usual tablet-free period, the greater the risk of pregnancy.
What to do if you forget a tablet in the second week
You should take the last tablet you missed as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two tablets at the same time. Then, continue taking the tablets at the usual time of day. If you have taken the tablets correctly during the 7 days before missing the tablet, you do not need to take extra contraceptive precautions. However, if this is not the case, or if you have missed more than one tablet, you should take extra contraceptive precautions for 7 days.
What to do if you forget a tablet in the third week
The risk of reduced reliability is imminent due to the proximity of the tablet-free period. However, the reduction in contraceptive protection can be avoided by adjusting the tablet intake. Therefore, following one of the two alternatives below, you do not need to take extra contraceptive precautions, provided you have taken the tablets correctly during the 7 days before missing the first tablet. If you have not taken Rigevidon correctly during the 7 days before missing the first tablet, you should follow the first of the two alternatives. Additionally, you should use a barrier method (such as a condom) simultaneously for the next 7 days.
If you have missed tablets and do not have a withdrawal bleed in the first normal tablet-free period, the possibility of pregnancy should be considered.
If you want to stop taking Rigevidon
You can stop taking Rigevidon at any time. If you stop taking Rigevidon to have a baby, use another contraceptive method until you have had a real period. This will make it easier for your doctor to tell you when your baby will be born.
What to do if you have gastrointestinal problems
If you have vomited or had diarrhea within 3-4 hours after taking the tablet, the active ingredients of the tablet may not have been fully absorbed into your body. The situation is almost the same as missing a tablet. After vomiting or diarrhea, take another tablet from another pack as soon as possible. If possible, take it within 12 hours of the usual time you take your tablet. If this is not possible or more than 12 hours have passed, follow the advice in the section "If you forget to take Rigevidon".
What to do if you want to delay or change your menstrual period
If you want to delay or change your menstrual period, you should consult your doctor for advice.
If you want to delay your period, you should continue with the next blister pack of Rigevidon after taking the last tablet of the current blister pack, without taking the usual tablet-free period. You can take as many tablets as you want from this second blister pack until it is finished. While taking this second blister pack, you may have breakthrough bleeding or spotting. The usual intake of Rigevidon will resume after the normal 7-day tablet-free period.
If you want to change your period to another day of the week
If you take Rigevidon correctly, you will always have your period on the same day every 28 days. If you want to change your period to another day of the week, different from the usual one according to your current tablet intake, you can shorten (but never lengthen) the next tablet-free period by as many days as you want. For example, if your period usually starts on a Friday and you want it to start on a Tuesday (i.e., three days earlier), you should start the next blister pack of Rigevidon three days earlier. The shorter the tablet-free period, the greater the likelihood that you will not have a withdrawal bleed, and that you will have breakthrough bleeding or spotting during the second blister pack.
If you experience bleeding between periods
A small number of women may experience breakthrough bleeding or light spotting while taking Rigevidon, especially during the first few months. This bleeding usually does not need to cause concern, and it will stop after a day or two. Continue taking the tablets as usual, and the problem will disappear after the first few blister packs.
If the bleeding continues, is bothersome, or prolonged, tell your doctor.
If you do not have a period
If you have taken all the tablets correctly and have not had any gastrointestinal problems or used other medicines, it is unlikely that you are pregnant. Continue taking Rigevidon as usual.
If you have not had two periods in a row, you may be pregnant and should see your doctor immediately. You will only be allowed to continue taking the contraceptive after a pregnancy test and if your doctor advises it.
If you have any doubts about the use of this medicine, consult your doctor.
Like all medicines, Rigevidon can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them.
Severe Adverse Effects
In women taking oral contraceptives, these side effects have been reported, which may appear in the first few months after starting to take Rigevidon, but usually disappear once the body has become accustomed to the contraceptive.
Frequent (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): Vaginitis, including vaginal candidiasis, mood changes including depression, changes in sexual desire, nervousness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, acne, breast tension, breast pain, breast enlargement or secretion, painful periods, changes in the cervix (change in cervical ectropion) and vaginal discharge, absence or decrease in bleeding, fluid retention/edema, weight changes.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): Changes in appetite, high blood pressure, abdominal cramps, swelling, rash, chloasma (brownish-yellow spots on the skin), which may persist, excessive hair growth, hair loss, changes in serum lipid levels, including hypertriglyceridemia.
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people): Severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic reaction with very rare cases of urticaria, facial swelling, tongue, circulatory and respiratory disorders), glucose intolerance, eye irritation when wearing contact lenses, yellowish skin (jaundice), skin affection erythema nodosum (characterized by painful red cutaneous nodules).
Very Rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
Benign or malignant liver tumor, worsening of immune system disorder (lupus), worsening of porphyria, worsening of chorea (an involuntary movement disorder), optic nerve inflammation, blood clots in the blood vessels of the eye, worsening of varices, inflammation of the large intestine (ischemic colitis), pancreatitis, gallbladder disorder (including gallstones), erythema multiforme (characterized by skin rash with target-like redness or ulcers), a blood disorder called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) (a blood clotting disorder that causes kidney failure).
Unknown frequency (frequency cannot be estimated from available data):
Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), hepatocellular damage (e.g., hepatitis, altered liver function).
Reporting of Adverse Effects:
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible adverse effect that is not listed in the prospectus. You can also report it directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiration date that appears on the blister pack and on the packaging after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Store below 25°C.
Medicines should not be thrown away through wastewater or household waste. Deposit the packaging and medicines you no longer need in the SIGRE Point
of the pharmacy. In case of doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medicines you no longer need. This way, you will help protect the environment.
Rigevidon Composition
The active ingredients are ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel. One coated tablet contains 0.03 mg of ethinylestradiol and 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel.
The other components are: anhydrous colloidal silica, magnesium stearate, talc, cornstarch, lactose monohydrate (33 mg), sucrose, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide (E171), copovidone, macrogol 6000, povidone, sodium carboxymethylcellulose.
Product Appearance and Package Contents
White, biconvex, and circular coated tablets.
Each box contains 1, 3, 6, or 13 calendar blister packs of 21 coated tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder:
Gedeon Richter Ibérica, S.A.
Sabino Arana 28, 4º 2ª
08028 Barcelona
Spain
Manufacturer:
Gedeon Richter Plc.
Gyömroi út 19-21.
Budapest
H-1103
Hungary
This medicine is authorized in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:
Denmark: Rigevidon 30 mikrogram/150mikrogram film-coated tablets
Germany: Florentia 30,30 Mikrogramm/150 Mikrogramm film-coated tablets
Austria: Rigevidon 30 Mikrogramm/150 Mikrogramm film-coated tablets
Belgium: Levorichter 30,30 microgrammes/150 microgrammes coated tablets
Spain: Rigevidon 0,03 mg/0,15 mg coated tablets EFG
Ireland: Ovreena 30 micrograms/150 micrograms coated tablets
Luxembourg: Levorichter 30,30 microgrammes /150 microgrammes coated tablets
Norway: Rigevidon 30 mikrogram/150 mikrogram coated tablets
Portugal: Ethinylestradiol + Levonorgestrel Rigevidon 30 micrograms/150 micrograms coated tablets
United Kingdom: Rigevidon 150 micrograms/30 micrograms coated tablets
Date of the last revision of this prospectus: September 2022
Detailed and updated information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/
The average price of RIGEVIDON 0.03 mg/0.15 mg FILM-COATED TABLETS in November, 2025 is around 2.53 EUR. Prices may vary depending on the region, pharmacy, and whether a prescription is required. Always check with a local pharmacy or online source for the most accurate information.
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