About cyproternone acetate + ethinyl estradiol
Antiandrogen and combined hormonal contraceptive
Used for
- Treatment of moderate to severe acne or unwanted hair caused by androgen sensitivity, when other treatments are unsuitable.
- Prevents pregnancy during treatment, but is not intended solely as a contraceptive when treating acne or unwanted hair.
Usual adult dose
One tablet daily for 21 days, followed by 7 tablet-free days; repeat as directed.
Common side effects
- Nausea, headache, breast tenderness, mood changes, or irregular bleeding.
- Blood clots, rarely; risk is increased compared with some other combined contraceptive pills.
Important warnings
- Do not use with a history of blood clots, certain clotting disorders, or severe liver disease.
- Smoking, especially after age 35, increases serious cardiovascular risks.
- Not for use with another hormonal contraceptive; stop when the treated condition is controlled as directed.
- Seek urgent care for chest pain, sudden breathlessness, severe headache, or one-sided leg swelling.
Pregnancy
Do not use during pregnancy; discontinue if pregnancy occurs.
Breastfeeding
Generally not recommended while breastfeeding, especially during the early weeks after birth.
Interactions
- Some seizure medicines, rifampicin, and certain HIV medicines can reduce effectiveness.
- Some antibiotics and herbal St John’s wort can reduce effectiveness.
- May affect lamotrigine levels; monitoring may be needed.
- Can alter levels of some medicines, including ciclosporin and certain diabetes treatments.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.