Cyproterone + ethinylestradiol
Co-cyprindiol
Brand names: Dianette, Clairette
Adult dose
Dose: 1 tab daily for 21 days, 7-day break
Route: PO
Frequency: OD
Clinical pearls
- Severe acne/hirsutism unresponsive to oral antibiotics; not licensed solely for contraception
- Discontinue 3–4 cycles after acne resolution
Contraindications
- Personal or family hx of VTE
- Migraine with aura
- Smoker >35y
- Hormone-dependent tumour
- Pregnancy/breastfeeding
Side effects
- VTE risk (higher than levonorgestrel pills)
- Breakthrough bleeding
- Mood change
- Headache
Interactions
- Enzyme-inducing AEDs/rifampicin (efficacy lost)
- St John's wort
Reference: BNF; MHRA Drug Safety Update; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/co-cyprindiol/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Pathways
- Spinal Anaesthesia Hypotension Management · AAGBI; ASA
- Pre-Eclampsia / Eclampsia in ED · NICE NG133; RCOG Green-top 10A
- Suspected Ectopic Pregnancy · NICE NG126; RCOG Green-top 21
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) · International PCOS Guideline 2023; NICE CKS
- Pre-eclampsia Management · NICE NG133 2019
- Ectopic Pregnancy · NICE CG154 / RCOG GTG 21