Quick answer
- Am I still protected?Usually yes, if the new brand has the same active hormones and doses and you didn't have a gap between packs.
- What changed?Likely the manufacturer, inactive ingredients, tablet appearance, and packaging, not necessarily the active hormones.
- Side effects different?Possible even with matching hormones; track what you notice and when it started.
- Check firstCompare the active ingredient names and doses printed on both boxes, or check the official leaflet.
How Combined Pills Differ
All combined pills contain two hormones: oestrogen (almost always as ethinylestradiol) and progestogen. The type and dose of progestogen varies between brands, and this is what largely determines how each pill feels for different people.
- Oestrogen dose, most commonly 20 mcg, 30 mcg, or 35 mcg of ethinylestradiol
- Progestogen type, different generations with different potencies and side effect profiles
- Monophasic vs biphasic/triphasic, whether hormone levels stay constant or vary across the pack
The Most Commonly Prescribed Combined Pills
Microgynon 30
Hormones
Levonorgestrel 150 mcg + Ethinylestradiol 30 mcg
Generation
2nd generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
The most widely prescribed combined pill in the UK. Well-studied, cost-effective, and generally well-tolerated. Often the first pill offered to new users. Some women notice androgenic side effects (acne, mood changes) due to levonorgestrel's androgenic activity.
Rigevidon
Hormones
Levonorgestrel 150 mcg + Ethinylestradiol 30 mcg
Generation
2nd generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
Generically identical to Microgynon 30, same hormones, same dose. Prescribed as a cost-effective alternative. If you are switched from Microgynon to Rigevidon, the contraceptive effect is the same.
Yasmin
Hormones
Drospirenone 3 mg + Ethinylestradiol 30 mcg
Generation
4th generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
Drospirenone has anti-androgenic and anti-mineralocorticoid properties, which can be beneficial for women experiencing acne, oily skin, water retention, or PMDD. It is associated with a slightly higher risk of venous thromboembolism (blood clots) compared to levonorgestrel-based pills. Not suitable for women with certain kidney, liver, or adrenal conditions.
Cilique
Hormones
Norgestimate 250 mcg + Ethinylestradiol 35 mcg
Generation
3rd generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
Norgestimate is considered low-androgenic. Cilique is often prescribed for women who have experienced acne or mood-related side effects on second-generation pills. Contains a slightly higher oestrogen dose (35 mcg).
Femodene
Hormones
Gestodene 75 mcg + Ethinylestradiol 30 mcg
Generation
3rd generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
Gestodene is a potent, low-androgenic progestogen. Like other third-generation progestogens, it carries a slightly higher VTE risk than second-generation options. May be preferred by women who experienced androgenic side effects on older pills.
Femodette
Hormones
Gestodene 75 mcg + Ethinylestradiol 20 mcg
Generation
3rd generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
A lower oestrogen-dose version of Femodene (20 mcg vs 30 mcg). Prescribed for women who want to minimise oestrogen exposure, for example, if they experience oestrogen-related side effects on standard-dose pills.
Marvelon
Hormones
Desogestrel 150 mcg + Ethinylestradiol 30 mcg
Generation
3rd generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
Desogestrel is highly progestogenic and low-androgenic. Marvelon is often well-tolerated by women seeking a pill with lower androgenic activity.
Mercilon
Hormones
Desogestrel 150 mcg + Ethinylestradiol 20 mcg
Generation
3rd generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
Same as Marvelon but with a lower oestrogen dose (20 mcg). A lower-dose option for women who are sensitive to oestrogen.
Comparing Oestrogen Doses
| Dose | Example brands | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| 20 mcg | Mercilon, Femodette, Loestrin 20 | Oestrogen sensitivity, minimising hormone exposure |
| 30 mcg | Microgynon, Rigevidon, Yasmin, Marvelon | Standard first-line prescribing |
| 35 mcg | Cilique, Norimin | Acne, low-androgenic progestogen preference |
A Note on VTE (Blood Clot) Risk
All combined pills carry a small increased risk of venous thromboembolism compared to not using hormonal contraception. The absolute risk remains very low for most healthy women, but it varies by progestogen type:
- 2nd generation (levonorgestrel)Lowest VTE risk among combined pills
- 3rd generation (gestodene, desogestrel, norgestimate)Slightly higher VTE risk than 2nd generation
- 4th generation (drospirenone)Risk broadly similar to 3rd generation
Women with a personal or family history of blood clots, or other VTE risk factors, should discuss this with their GP before starting or continuing the pill.
What Should I Ask the Pharmacist?
A short conversation usually settles the worry about a substitution:
- Do the old and new packs list the same active ingredient names and doses?
- Was there any gap between finishing the old pack and starting the new one?
- Is there a reason to avoid this particular brand given my health history?
- Can I go back to my previous brand if I have a consistent problem with this one?
How to Access Your Pill's Official Leaflet
Every pill brand has an official patient information leaflet approved by regulatory authorities, containing full information about dosing, interactions, side effects, contraindications, and what to do if you miss a pill.
Estroclic's Safety Hub provides direct links to the official government-verified leaflets for 40+ pill brands, pulled from the MHRA / Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC) for UK brands and DailyMed (FDA) for US brands. When you select your pill brand in the app, the Safety Hub card shows your specific brand's leaflet, so you always have accurate, brand-specific guidance to hand.
How Estroclic helps with this
Estroclic stores your current pill brand and links straight to its government-verified patient leaflet, FDA or MHRA depending on your region. After a pharmacy switch, update your brand in seconds and Estroclic keeps a record of when the change happened, alongside any side effects you log afterwards.
Free on AndroidFinding the Right Pill for You
There is no single "best" pill. The right choice depends on your individual health profile, hormone sensitivity, skin concerns, history with previous pills, and personal preferences.
If you are experiencing side effects on your current pill, the cause may relate to its specific progestogen type or oestrogen dose. Switching to a pill with a different hormone profile can make a significant difference, but this should always be done in consultation with your GP.
Keeping a detailed log of your symptoms alongside your pill use, using Estroclic's health events feature, gives you and your doctor meaningful data when reviewing your contraceptive choice.
Summary
- All combined pills contain oestrogen and a progestogen, the progestogen type and dose is what varies most between brands
- Microgynon and Rigevidon are generically identical; Yasmin, Cilique, Femodene, and Marvelon differ in progestogen type and oestrogen dose
- A pharmacy substitution to a brand with the same active ingredients and doses should not change your protection
- Second-generation pills (levonorgestrel) carry the lowest VTE risk; third- and fourth-generation pills carry slightly higher risk
- Pills with low-androgenic progestogens are often preferred for acne or mood-related concerns
- Access your pill's official patient leaflet via Estroclic's Safety Hub
Frequently Asked Questions
My pharmacy changed my pill brand. Is that okay?
Pharmacies often substitute brands that contain the same active hormones and doses, for example Rigevidon for Microgynon. This is usually fine for your protection. Check the new pack's active ingredient names and doses match your old one, and ask the pharmacist if anything looks different.
Can I switch back to my old pill brand?
You can ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether your previous brand can be supplied again, particularly if you have had a consistent problem with the new one. Availability depends on your prescription and local stock. Do not stop taking active pills while waiting for a different pack.
What is the difference between Microgynon and Rigevidon?
Microgynon 30 and Rigevidon are generically identical: the same hormones at the same doses, levonorgestrel 150 mcg and ethinylestradiol 30 mcg. If you are switched from one to the other, the contraceptive effect is the same.
Do all combined pills carry the same blood clot risk?
No. All combined pills carry a small increased risk of venous thromboembolism compared with not using hormonal contraception, but the risk varies by progestogen type. The absolute risk remains very low for most healthy women; discuss your personal risk with a GP if you have a personal or family history of blood clots.