Dianette

What is it?

An oestrogen/aniti-androgen preparation available as sugar-coated, beige tablets containing 35µg of ethinyloestradiol and 2mg of cyproterone acetate.

Medical Uses

Severe acne in women which has not responded to prolonged oral antibiotic therapy; moderately severe idiopathic hirsutism (abnormal hairiness) in women.

Dosage

1 tablet each day for 3 weeks starting on first day of cycle, followed by 7 days without tablets.

Special Care

Diabetes, varicose veins, hypertension, Raynaud's disease (numbness in the fingers due to spasm of arteries), asthma, chronic kidney disease (or dialysis), severe depression, multiple sclerosis.

Avoid Use

Children, men. Also, with cardiovascular conditions such as angina, ischaemia, heart valve disease, sickle cell anaemia, those at risk of and with a history of thrombosis. Patients with liver disorders; hormone-dependent carcinoma, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, pregnancy, chorea, otosclerosis (bone overgrowth in the inner ear causing deafness), haemolytic uraemic syndrome (sudden destruction of red blood cells causing acute kidney failure).

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Tetracyclines, barbiturates, phenytoin, griseofulvin, primidone, carbamazepine, rifampicin, chloral hydrate, ethosuximide, glutethimide, dichloralphenazone.

Known Side Effects

Leg pains and cramps, depression, enlargement of breasts, fluid retention, headaches, nausea, weight gain, loss of libido, vaginal discharge.

Manufacturer

Schering H. C.