Dianette to treat acne

Dianette is a hormonal medication used to treat skin conditions such as acne vulgaris, oily skin and hirsutism (excessive hair growth) in women, which are symptoms often associated with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). It contains two active ingredients: oestrogen and an anti-androgen that work together to help tackle the symptoms of acne. It is usually prescribed where topical acne treatments (such as creams or gels) or antibiotics have not proven successful. Dianette can also be used as an oral contraceptive, however it is not prescribed at euroClinix for that sole purpose.

You can buy Dianette tablets for the treatment of severe hormonal acne on prescription here at euroClinix. All you have to do is fill out a confidential consultation form which will be reviewed by one of our registered doctors.

Dianette, also known under the brand name Diane-35, contains the active ingredients cyproterone acetate and ethinylestradiol, a combination known as ‘co-cyprindiol’. Cyproterone acetate is a progestin, a synthetic progesterone that reduces the level of male hormones, working to combat the development of acne and abnormal hair growth known as hirsutism. A naturally high amount of androgen is common in women with PCOS, which is why many women with PCOS experience acne and hirsutism. So Dianette is often prescribed for symptoms of the condition.

Cyproterone acetate is a progestin, a synthetic progesterone, that works as an anti-androgen, otherwise known as an androgen antagonist or a testosterone blocker. It’s a drug that works against male sex hormones (androgens) and mediates their effects. When produced in high levels, these can cause the glands responsible for acne (sebum glands) to work overtime. When the sebum glands produce too much oil they can easily collect dead skin cells and dirt from the environment, causing blocked glands and leading to spots. When the glands become infected and inflamed, the infection can also spread to other areas of the face, causing further spots and infection. Androgens are also responsible for hair growth.

Ethinylestradiol is a synthetic form of the hormone oestrogen. It also has antiandrogenic effects and therefore also affects the male hormones. Combined with cyproterone acetate, it is an effective hormone treatment for acne.

Can I use Dianette as my main contraceptive?

Dianette is a combined oral contraceptive pill, otherwise known as ‘the pill’, which will prevent you from getting pregnant. It works by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation) during a woman's menstrual cycle; thickens the cervix mucus lining to make it more difficult for sperm to travel and thickens the lining of the uterus (the womb) to prevent the attachment of a fertilised egg.

Because of its contraceptive qualities, women taking Dianette should not take another form of hormonal contraception and discontinue the use of their previous hormonal contraceptive. It is not recommended as a form of contraception for women who are not experiencing severe acne or hirsutism. Women are recommended to take another combined pill or use another form of contraception for that purpose.

You should notice that your face becomes less greasy within a few weeks of taking Dianette. However, it may take at least three months of treatment before you can see a definitive improvement in your acne or hair growth. Your doctor will advise you when you can stop taking Dianette.

Dianette isn’t suitable to take for some groups of people and can only be taken by fertile women. People with preexisting medical conditions should take caution or speak to a healthcare provider before taking it. This is because Dianette can make some of the complications of some conditions worse, including:

• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• high cholesterol
• a history of blood clots
• a history of heart attacks or strokes or a condition that may indicate a heart attack in the future (such as severe chest pain or a ‘mini stroke’)
• chronic migraines
• liver problems - including liver disease, liver tumours or porphyria (an inherited condition)
• breast cancer or an undiagnosed breast lump
• diabetes
• meningioma - a benign brain tumour
• pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas
• depression
• are overweight or smoke
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis

If you are not sure whether you have any of these preexisting conditions, you should speak to your doctor. You should also notify your doctor if you experience any symptoms of these conditions for the first time whilst taking Dianette.

Dianette should not be used by any women who are pregnant, think they may be pregnant or are breastfeeding. Equally, if you are allergic to the active ingredients or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet, you should also not take Dianette.

As well as other hormonal contraceptives, Dianette can react with some medicines and reduce their effectiveness. These medicines include treatments of the following conditions:

• epilepsy
• tuberculosis (e.g rifampicin)
• HIV and Hepatitis C (e.g ritonavir, nevirapine or efavirenz)
• fungal infections
• arthritis or arthrosis (etoricoxib)
• high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs (bosentan)

There are also specific medications that may also react with Dianette, such as theophylline for breathing problems; medicines containing ciclosporin; St John's Wort (a herbal remedy) and tizanidine for muscle pain or cramps.

You should always mention to the healthcare professional prescribing what medicines you are taking, whether they are prescribed or purchased over-the-counter.

Before taking Dianette you should read the enclosed patient leaflet to ensure you have the most up to date information. The basic guidelines on how to take Dianette are as follows.

1. Dianette comes in a strip pack of 21 pills which should be taken once a day for 21 days
2. Once you have completed the pack you should then take a 7 pill-free days to allow for a withdrawal bleed (a period)
3. The pills should be taken around the same time each day
4. Swallow the pill whole with water
5. You can take Dianette on an empty stomach or with food
6. After seven days of not taking the pill you should start the next pack, on day 8

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a pill and you realise within 12 hours, take it straight away. Then, continue taking your pill at your usual time. This may mean taking two pills in one day, but this is perfectly safe to do.

If you remember your missed dose after 12 hours or you have missed more than one pill, you should still take the most recently missed pill even if it means taking two at once. Continue to take a pill every day for the next seven days at your usual time. If you come to the end of your strip, start the next strip without taking a break. You won’t have your withdrawal bleed until you finish the next strip. If you still don’t have your withdrawal bleed after finishing your second strip, take a pregnancy test before starting another strip.

If you experience vomiting or diarrhoea, your body may not get its usual dose of hormones from that pill. If you feel better within 12 hours, you can either take the last pill of the strip in place of that missed dose and then take all the other pills as normal, or alternatively, you can take a pill from a spare packet (if you have one) and then take all the pills from your current strip as normal. If you are still feeling sick after 12 hours, you should follow the ‘missed pill’ advice in your patient information leaflet or in the paragraph above.

As with all prescription medicines, Dianette can cause some side effects. Common side effects (affecting 1 in 10 people) are usually mild and easily managed.

Common side effects include:

• nausea
• stomach ache
• weight gain
• breast tenderness
• depressive moods or mood changes
• spotting - breakthrough bleeding between periods

More severe side effects are incredibly rare (affecting 1 in 1,000 people). For a more comprehensive list of side effects, please consult the patient information leaflet which is available to download on this page or is enclosed with your medication.

If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction (swelling, itching or hives) or liver disease (severe abdominal pain, jaundice, itching all over your body) you should stop taking Dianette and seek immediate medical attention.

Blood clots

If you take Dianette, you are at a slightly higher risk of blood clots. There are two types of blood clots (thromboembolism) that differ in what blood vessels they affect.

The first type is venous thromboembolism (VTE). This is where a blood clot (a thrombus) breaks off and blocks a vein. It usually occurs in deeper veins like in the legs, which is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If not treated, it can travel up and cause a blood clot in the lungs, known as a pulmonary embolism (PE).

The second type is arterial thromboembolism (ATE), where a blood clot breaks off and blocks an artery. This can lead to strokes and heart attacks.

Signs of a blood clot include:

• an unusual sudden cough
• severe pain in the chest which may reach the left arm
• breathlessness
• dizziness or fainting
• weakness or numbness in any part of your body
• severe pain or swelling in either of your legs

It’s important to know the signs, however those taking Dianette are only at a slightly higher risk of having a blood clot than those who are not taking Dianette. The chances of developing a blood clot are still even lower than in pregnant women. Some people may be more susceptible to blood clots, and one of our doctors will assess any potential risks in an online consultation.

Cancer

Dianette as well as other combined pills, have been linked to slightly increased risks of certain gynecological cancers, including breast and cervical cancer. However, research is still ongoing. For instance, an influential paper released in 2010 by the Royal College of General Practitioners found there was no increased risk of cancer from taking the oral contraceptive, and equally reduced the risk of other cancers including womb and ovarian cancer among others. These are promising findings that, if more concurrent evidence is done, could lead to huge developments in the prescription of hormonal contraceptives. It’s still important to weigh up the benefits and risks of taking Dianette, and if you’re not sure, consult with a healthcare professional.

You can buy Dianette 2mg online safely on prescription here at euroClinix. All you have to do is fill out an online consultation form, which will allow one of our registered doctors to ensure the medication is safe for use with any current medication or health problems. Once this has been agreed, your medication will be discreetly packed and sent for delivery to your address the same day, you will receive your medication free of charge the following day.