Dianette

Dianette contains two ingredients which are synthetic versions of natural hormones found in the human body- ethinylestradiol (an oestrogen) and cyproterone (an anti-androgen)- therefore it is classed as a combined hormonal contraceptive. It is around 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly. Dianette contains an oestrogen and anti-androgen which both help to lower sebum (grease) levels on the skin and prevent the skin pores from clogging up and forming spots. We can prescribe this medication to women between the ages of 16-50. There are certain risk and benefits attached to using any form of contraception and there are various forms of contraception available including combine oral contraception (COC), progesterone only contraception (POP) and Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) such as injections and implants. 

What is right for the patient will depend on various factors including your age, weight, personal medical history, family history and lifestyle such as smoking- this will all be covered in the questionnaire consultation. Dianette has been used historically to treat acne with good effect, however there are other more modern pills which have a slightly lower risk of blood clots (Eloine and Mercilon), and these may be preferred in women who have increased risk factors for blood clots such as a family history of blood clots. 

If Dianette is not suitable for you, we will let you know once you have completed the questionnaire consultation and we will recommend an alternative. Besides the advantages for the skin and acne, it is important to consider the general advantages of the combined pill such as Dianette. Advantages of the combined pill include:

•        Periods may be lighter, less painful and more regular

•        There may be a reduction of Pre-menstrual tension (PMS) symptoms such as mood swings, bloating and headaches.

There may be a reduction in risk of certain cancers (ovarian, uterine, colorectal)Disadvantages and Risks of the combined pill include:

•        A small relative increase in the risk of breast cancer, cervical cancer, blood clots such as DVT, heart attacks and strokes

•        Risk of side effects including breast tenderness, nausea, headaches (these normally settle after 3-6 months of use)

•        If you miss a pill or have severe vomiting or diarrhoea, then it may not work and it is advised to seek medical advice and consider using emergency hormonal contraception (morning-after pill) if you have had unprotected sexual intercourse and do not want to fall pregnant.

•        You may not be suitable to have the combined pill if you are in certain high -risk categories e.g. if you are over 35 years old and smoke, or overweight (BMI>35), or have a family history of breast cancer

There are some drug interactions that can render the pill less effective- including some antiepileptics, antivirals, antibiotics and herbal medications such as St John’s wort- it is important to check these interactions with a pharmacist or doctor before taking Dianette.

Effectiveness With perfect use i.e., if taken every day at the same time of day- Dianette is around 99% effective. In other words, it means that if 100 people take Dianette for 1 year then we would expect 1 person to get pregnant. Of course, it can be difficult to maintain perfect use due to occasionally forgetting to take it, therefore the average effectiveness in most people who take it is around 91%. For further information and advice on the risks, benefits, alternatives or common questions related to Dianette and other combined contraceptive pills please read:

•        The Product Summary 

•        The NHS website

•        You can also book in for a friendly telephone or video consultation with one of our dermatology pharmacist prescribers to discuss in more detail.

• Option 1- Take One pill every day for 21 days until the packet is finished and then have a seven-day break where you will experience a withdrawal bleed (like a period). Then start the next packet after 7 days regardless of whether or not your period has finished.

• Option 2- Take One pill every day continuously for 9 weeks and then have a 4-7 day break (this is caused tricycling and is promoted as safe to do by the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare)

• Usually, you should start Dianette on the first day of your period as this will protect you against pregnancy straight away. If you start after this then you may not be fully protected from conception and it is advised to use condoms for the first 7 days of taking Dianette.

• If you miss a pill : A single delayed tablet should be taken as soon as possible, and if this can be done within 12 hours of the correct time, contraceptive protection is maintained. With longer delays, additional contraception is needed. Only the most recently delayed tablet should be taken, earlier missed tablets being omitted, and condoms should be used for the next 7 days, while the next 7 tablets are being taken. Additionally, therefore, if tablet(s) have been missed during the last 7 days of a pack, there should be no break before the next pack is started. In this situation, a withdrawal bleed should not be expected until the end of the second pack. Some breakthrough bleeding may occur on tablet taking days but this is not clinically significant. If you do not have a withdrawal bleed during the tablet-free interval following the end of the second pack, the possibility of pregnancy must be ruled out before starting the next pack.

•        Do not use this product if you are allergic or suspect allergy to any of the ingredients. If you do experience and suspected side-effects e.g. a rash or irritation, then stop using and seek medical advice.

•        If you experience any of the following, stop taking Dianette immediately and seek medical advice: Chest or Abdominal pain, Breast lump, Depression, Difficulty speaking, Eye problems, such as blurred or double vision or loss of vision, Fainting, Jaundice — yellowish discoloration of the skin, New or worsening headaches, Seizures, Severe allergic skin rash, Severe leg pain or swelling, Severe mood swings, A missed period or other signs of pregnancy

•        Do not use Dianette if you have any contraindications such as a history of blood clots or heart attacks- these are listed in full in the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with the product, which you must read before starting the medication.

Active Ingredients: Ethinylestradiol 35mcg/ Cyproterone acetate 2mg Other Ingredients: Lactose, Maize Starch, Povidone, Talc, Magnesium Stearate (E 572), Sucrose, Macrogol 6,000, Calcium Carbonate (E 170), Titanium Dioxide (E 171), Glycerol 85%, Glycol Montanate, Yellow Ferric Oxide Pigment (E 172). 

Shelf Life: 3 years.

All medications and products can potentially cause side effects- If they are severe, or are mild and do not improve, then you should speak to your pharmacist or doctor immediately. This list may not be exhaustive so please consult the patient information leaflet for the full list.


Common Side effects (affecting 1%- 10% of people): Nausea, Abdominal Pain, Increased Weight, Headache, Depressed Mood, Altered Mood, Breast Pain, Breast Tenderness
Uncommon Side effects (affecting 0.1%-1% of people): Vomiting, Diarrhoea
Fluid Retention Migraine Libido Decreased Breast Hypertrophy Rash, Urticaria