Rigevidon vs Microgynon: Are They the Same Pill?

That means neither pill is stronger, higher-dose, or designed to work differently from the other.

They are not literally identical products, however. They are made by different pharmaceutical companies and use slightly different inactive ingredients and coatings. The packaging, tablet appearance, and wording of their patient leaflets also differ.

For most people, switching between Rigevidon and Microgynon 30 should not create a meaningful change in contraceptive protection when the pills are taken correctly and the switch is made according to the instructions provided. But some people do report changes in bleeding, mood, skin, nausea, or breast tenderness after a switch. Those experiences should not be dismissed simply because the active hormones match.

Rigevidon vs Microgynon at a Glance

Are Rigevidon and Microgynon the Same?

From the perspective of their active hormonal formulation, they are the same:

• 150 micrograms of levonorgestrel
• 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol
• One active tablet each day for 21 days
• A standard 7-day tablet-free interval

Both products carry the same ATC classification, G03AA07, for levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol combined oral contraceptives.

The two hormones work together primarily by preventing ovulation. They also thicken cervical mucus and alter the lining of the womb.

Because the active ingredients and doses match, Rigevidon is commonly treated as an alternative to Microgynon 30. A pharmacy or contraception service may supply one rather than the other depending on the prescription, local arrangements, or product availability.

However, "the same active ingredients" does not mean that every part of the tablet is identical.

What Is Actually Different?

The manufacturer

Rigevidon is supplied by Gedeon Richter. Microgynon 30 is supplied by Bayer.

Different manufacturers use their own production processes, packaging, tablet coatings, and inactive ingredients while meeting the regulatory requirements for their licensed medicine.

The inactive ingredients

The official product information shows small differences in the non-hormonal ingredients and their quantities.

For example, both tablets contain lactose and sucrose, but the stated quantities are not exactly the same:

• Rigevidon contains 33 mg of lactose monohydrate and 22.46 mg of sucrose per tablet.
• Microgynon 30 contains 32.820 mg of lactose and 19.371 mg of sucrose per tablet.

Their full ingredient lists and coatings also differ. These substances do not provide the contraceptive effect, but they affect how the tablet is manufactured, held together, coloured, coated, and stored.

For most users, these differences are unlikely to be noticeable. They may matter to someone with a specific allergy, intolerance, or sensitivity, although the quantities involved are small. Check the current patient information leaflet or ask a pharmacist if you are concerned about a particular ingredient.

The appearance and packaging

Rigevidon is described as a white, circular coated tablet. Microgynon 30 is a beige sugar-coated tablet. The blister design and printed instructions are also different.

This can make a routine switch feel more significant than it pharmacologically is. A new tablet colour or pack layout may also disrupt an established habit, so double-check the day labels when starting the new pack.

The wording in the leaflets

If you compare the two patient leaflets, you may notice that their side-effect sections are not worded or organised identically.

That does not necessarily mean one pill has a completely different side-effect profile. Product leaflets are maintained separately by each manufacturer and may classify, group, or describe reported effects differently. Both products contain the same hormonal combination, so there is substantial overlap in the effects associated with them.

Is Rigevidon as Effective as Microgynon?

Neither pill is inherently stronger or more effective than the other. They use the same active hormones at the same strength and follow the same standard schedule.

What usually matters more is how consistently the pill is taken. Protection can be affected by:

• Missing active pills
• Starting the next pack late
• Vomiting soon after taking a pill
• Severe diarrhoea
• Medicines or herbal products that interact with combined hormonal contraception
• An incorrect or delayed switch between contraceptive methods

If you are changing directly from Microgynon 30 to Rigevidon, or the other way around, follow the instructions provided by the prescriber, pharmacist, and leaflet. Do not add an extra break between packs unless you have specifically been told to do so. Extending the hormone-free interval can reduce contraceptive protection. Confirm the instructions with your pharmacist if you are unsure.

Can Switching From Microgynon to Rigevidon Cause Side Effects?

It is possible to notice symptoms after a switch, even when the active ingredients are the same. That does not prove the new brand caused them, but it also does not make the experience imaginary.

Several things may be happening:

Normal variation

Bleeding, skin, mood, appetite, headaches, and breast tenderness can vary from one cycle to another without a change in pill brand. Stress, illness, sleep, diet, and other medication can also affect how someone feels.

Timing and routine changes

A change in packaging can alter when or how consistently the tablets are taken. Even a small disruption to an established routine may lead to late or missed pills, particularly during the first new pack.

Different inactive ingredients

Most users will not notice the small formulation differences outside the active hormones. A minority may be sensitive to a coating, colouring, or other inactive ingredient.

Expectation and attention

People naturally pay closer attention to symptoms after starting a different-looking medicine. This can make an existing symptom more noticeable. That does not mean the symptom is not real; it means the timing alone cannot establish its cause.

Coincidence

A symptom beginning after a switch may be connected, but it may also have started at the same time for an unrelated reason.

If a new symptom is severe, persistent, or affecting your quality of life, speak with a pharmacist, GP, or contraception service. You do not have to continue feeling unwell simply because the two products contain the same hormones.

Do They Have the Same Side Effects?

Because Rigevidon and Microgynon 30 contain the same hormonal combination, the expected side-effect profiles overlap considerably.

Reported effects associated with levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol combined pills include:

• Nausea or abdominal discomfort
• Headaches or migraine
• Breast tenderness
• Changes in mood
• Changes in bleeding patterns
• Spotting or breakthrough bleeding
• Changes in libido
• Fluid retention or weight change

Not everyone experiences these effects, and having a symptom while taking the pill does not automatically mean the pill caused it.

Both are combined hormonal contraceptives and therefore carry a small increased risk of blood clots compared with not using a combined hormonal contraceptive. According to MHRA guidance, levonorgestrel-containing combined pills are among the combined hormonal contraceptives with the lowest estimated risk of venous thromboembolism.

Is Microgynon Better Than Rigevidon?

There is no universal reason that Microgynon 30 should be better than Rigevidon, or vice versa.

For someone who tolerates both equally, the practical difference may be no more than the manufacturer, tablet appearance, or packaging. For someone who repeatedly feels worse on one brand and better on the other, that pattern is worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

The most useful question is not "Which brand is best?" but:

Which pill can I take consistently, tolerate well, and use safely given my own health history?

If you were stable on one brand and developed persistent problems after being switched, record what changed and when. Details such as bleeding, headaches, mood, skin changes, missed pills, and the dates of each pack can make a conversation with a pharmacist or GP more productive.

Can You Switch Back?

You can ask a prescriber or pharmacist whether returning to the previous brand is appropriate. Do not assume that a particular brand will always be available, and do not stop taking active pills or create an unplanned break while waiting for another pack.

If a switch has already happened:

1. Check that both packs show 150 micrograms of levonorgestrel and 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol.
2. Confirm when the new pack should begin.
3. Avoid extending the usual tablet-free interval.
4. Ask a pharmacist promptly if there has been a gap, missed pill, vomiting, severe diarrhoea, or a possible medicine interaction.