Each woman in different periods of her life has problems with the hormonal background, which must be adjusted to avoid an unwanted pregnancy, and also to simply restore or adjust the irregular menstrual cycle. Various means have been created to help resolve such issues, one of which is Rigevidon. Instructions for its use, action and analogues will be discussed in this article.
Pharmacological properties
"Rigevidon" refers to the family of combined oral contraceptives. This is a single-phase medicine with the same amount of estrogen and progestogen components in each tablet.
In its composition, the product contains levonorgestrel, which is a synthetic derivative of 19-nortestosterone and has an activity similar to endogenous progesterone. The advantage is that this component surpasses the last in effect strength - this property makes it possible to use levonorgestrel in the minimum acceptable doses, acting on the body as sparingly as possible.
Also in the composition of "Rigevidon" (instructions for use confirms this) contains ethinyl estradiol - an analogue on a synthetic basis of endogenous estradiol. Thanks to its pharmacokinetics, the drug effectively acts to prevent pregnancy through the suppression of ovulation, there is also an increase in the viscosity of the mucus of the cervical canal and a decrease in the susceptibility of the endometrial layer to the blastocyst.
What happens in the body
The mechanism of action of Rigevidon tablets (this instruction describes) is due to the property of the active ingredients in its composition.
When taking the drug, the following occurs:
- the output of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone is blocked;
- secretion of gonadotropin hormones decreases;
- maturation and destruction of the follicle slows down;
- the structure of the endometrium changes.
This leads to the fact that ovulation is suppressed and fertilization with subsequent pregnancy does not occur. In addition, structural changes in the endometrial layer do not allow a fertilized egg to be implanted.
In addition to the contraceptive effect, the systematic use of the drug (the instructions for Rigevidon and doctors' reviews say this) reduces the risk of developing some gynecological diseases (cysts of various origins, congestive processes in the pelvis, fibrocysts and fibroadenomas), reduces the amount of menstrual bleeding and blocks the development of anemia .
After a course of taking the drug, the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy decreases, and the restoration of fertility completely occurs one to three cycles after cancellation.
Conclusion from the body
Pharmacokinetic properties of the drug, as stated in the instructions for use of Rigevidon, are based on similar properties of the active ingredients present in its composition:
- After oral administration, ethinyl estradiol undergoes rapid absorption in the intestine, bioavailability reaches forty-eight percent. The highest concentration of the active component in blood plasma is achieved after an hour and a half from the time of use. After complete absorption into the blood, ethinyl estradiol is almost completely combined with plasma proteins. Metabolism is activated in the intestine and continues in the liver with the production of metabolites - H-ethinyl estradiol and 2-methoxy-ethinyl estradiol. Twenty-six hours later, the drug begins to be excreted in its original form or in the form of metabolites along with the body's vital products.
- Levonorgestrel is actively absorbed in the digestive tract, bioavailability reaches one hundred percent. The substance is bound in plasma with albumin and globulin. Metabolism occurs with the formation of glucuronide and sulfate conjugates.
Indications for use
The tool is intended as a contraceptive for women in childbearing age. The purpose of the drug in order to correct the functional changes in the female cycle is also justified.
These include dysmenorrhea, uterine bleeding, severe pain in the middle of the cycle and PMS.
Experts recommend taking the drug for women with a mild estrogen phenotype.
Rigevidon tablets: instruction for use
Before you start taking "Rigevidon", it is worth learning about the need for mandatory passage of a general clinical as well as gynecological examination. In the direction there should be points for monitoring blood pressure, determining the amount of glucose in the urine, general blood and urine tests, monitoring liver functions, consulting a mammologist and a cytological examination of smears.
The drug is indicated for oral administration, the tablet is swallowed whole without grinding and washed down with a sufficient amount of liquid. To achieve the greatest effect, the drug is taken systematically at the same time of day.
For contraception, the medicine is prescribed one white tablet once a day, the beginning is the first or fifth day of the menstrual cycle. The course admission lasts twenty-one days, after which, over the next seven days, take one red-brown tablet also once a day.
During this phase, a woman experiences bleeding similar to menstruation - this is described in the instructions for Rigevidon, and reviews confirm this fact.
If there is a need to continue therapy with the drug, then the course is repeated again without interruption.
If the tool is well tolerated by the body, then the application can continue as long as necessary.
If you miss the pill at the right time, fill the gap as soon as possible, but before thirty-six hours or more from the moment of omission - in this case, the effect of the drug may already be ineffective. They continue to drink the medicine to avoid bleeding, but they use additional methods of contraception until the end of the current package.
If the drug is prescribed for the treatment of disorders of the female cycle, then the necessary dose and duration of the course is determined by a specialist.
Side effects
As a rule, the drug is well tolerated, the instructions for use of Rigevidon and reviews confirm this, but it, like any medicine, has side effects that appear immediately after the start of administration and last one to three courses, and then disappear.
These include the following:
- vomiting, nausea, dyspepsia;
- headaches, phenomena of emotional lability;
- high fatigue, frequent irritability;
- leg cramps;
- rash on the skin, engorgement of the glands of the chest;
- facial skin pigmentation;
- increase or decrease in body weight;
- signs of arterial hypertension;
- thromboembolism (especially in smokers and women after thirty-five years);
- diarrhea, biliary dyskinesia, hepatitis;
- allopecia;
- the appearance of a fungus on the vaginal mucosa.
In addition, due to the content of iron fumarate in the tablets, feces may turn black.
Contraindications
There are contraindications to the drug that prohibit its use - the data are recorded in the instructions for "Rigevidon", and the reviews of women confirm what was written.
Contraindications, violation of which causes undesirable consequences, are as follows:
- individual intolerance or hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the product;
- liver disease, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis;
- hepatitis, colitis;
- heart and vascular diseases, thromboembolism, oncology;
- lipid metabolism disorders;
- hypertension;
- diabetes and other endocrine diseases;
- anemia and blood diseases;
- vaginal bleeding of an unexplained cause;
- otosclerosis and migraine;
- herpes and jaundice;
- pregnancy and lactation.
In the case of a planned operation, the drug is stopped taking one and a half months before surgery.
If, as a result of using the product, exacerbations of any diseases occur or new ones arise, the reception is stopped.
According to the instructions to "Rigevidon", the medicine is prescribed with caution:
- after the age of forty;
- at high loads on the voice unit;
- in the presence of benign tumors in the female organs;
- suffering from epilepsy, depressive disorders;
- patients with varicose veins, sclerosis, phlebitis, asthma.
Interaction with other drugs
When taking "Rigevidon", you must remember that all drugs interact with each other while taking, enhancing or weakening the effect of each other. What will be the result, consider further.
The simultaneous administration of the drug and antimicrobial agents, including ampicillin, rifampicin, chloramphenicol, phenoxymethylpenicillin, sulfonamides, tetracyclines and neomycin, can reduce the contraceptive effect. If there is a need to use such drugs, it is necessary to use non-hormonal or barrier contraception methods.
Also, according to the instructions for Rigevidon, its effect reduces the intake of dihydroergotamine, tranquilizers and phenylbutazone.
The simultaneous use of this contraceptive with anticoagulant drugs, indandion-derived drugs or coumarin can enhance the effect of the latter. Admission in this composition requires constant monitoring of prothrombin time dose adjustment of anticoagulants, if necessary.
If the use of "Rigevidon" is combined with maprotiline, beta-blockers and tricyclic antidepressants, there is a likelihood of increased bioavailability and toxic effects of these agents.
Control of blood sugar requires the simultaneous use of a contraceptive with insulin and oral hypoglycemic drugs.
Rigevidon significantly reduces the effect of bromocriptine.
With caution, a drug is prescribed simultaneously with drugs of hepatotoxic effect, since their negative effect increases.
Storage conditions, release form and composition of Rigevidon
The instruction for the drug recommends its storage in a dry place, hidden from direct sunlight at temperatures up to thirty degrees Celsius.
The shelf life of the drug is five years.
The drug is available in the form of tablets in a shell. One blister contains twenty-eight pieces - twenty-one white tablets and seven red-brown ones. A carton can contain from one to three blisters.
The composition of one white tablet contains:
- levonorgestrel - 150 mcg;
- ethinyl estradiol - 30 mcg;
- sucrose, lactose monohydrate and other excipients.
The composition of one reddish-brown tablet consists of similar excipients and iron fumarate in an amount of 76.05 mg. Inside the package contains instructions for use "Rigevidon".
Reviews of doctors indicate that such a composition is gentle for the female body along with its effectiveness.
Analogs and reviews
Analogues are drugs that are similar in composition, pharmacological effect and indications to the original.
For Rigevidon, these are (the minimum price limit is indicated):
- "Janine" - 800 rubles.
- Mercilon - 672 rubles.
- "Regulon" - 350 rubles .;
- Novinet - 381 rubles;
- "Model Liber" - 520 rubles.
- "Trigestrel" - 100 rubles.
- "Trikvilar" - 450 rubles.
- "Three-regol" - 310 rubles.
- "Minisiston 20 fem" - 350 rubles.
The average cost of Rigevidon for a pack of 28 tablets is 243 rubles, and for 63 pcs. - 632 rub.
And now - consumer reviews.
Many note the quite affordable cost of the drug. This is what consumers indicate in Rigevidon's price reviews. The instruction for the drug is also not satisfactory - it is called quite detailed and understandable for patients without a medical education.
Many people like that tablets can be taken without drinking water.
Most women are satisfied with the result of using the drug. Some note that they were afraid that they would not suddenly become pregnant after the contraceptive was withdrawn. However, abandoning Rigevidon according to the recommendations of a specialist, women were able to conceive and bear a healthy child.
However, not everything is so rosy. According to reviews, at first, many women were worried about side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, general weakness. Some even had to cancel the drug due to the fact that the body did not take the drug well, it was disturbed by frequent headaches, nervousness, and so on. There have been cases when a woman’s weight increased by several tens of kilograms just because she started taking Rigevidon or Rigevidon 21. Instructions for the use of drugs explain that this could very well be. It is clear that in such cases, patients had to give up this drug and take other means to normalize their hormonal background. True, not everyone was able to permanently lose weight.
However, the reviews of doctors are unambiguous: subject to the rules of admission and the recommendations of the treating specialist, the negative effect of the use of the drug will be minimal. Therefore, first of all, listen to your attending physician, who will draw up a special schedule for you to take the medicine, tell you how to take the pills correctly, inform you about other nuances of use and introduce the Rigevidon 21 + 7 instructions.
It can be seen from the above that consumer reviews differ from each other, but most of them are positive. It is also impossible to do without negative opinions, since the body is different for everyone and its response to the effect of the drug is not the same. The main thing is to follow the instructions of a trusted doctor, and then your health will be in good hands.