What is Diane-35?
Diane-35 is a medication that combines both cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol together into a single tablet.
Diane-35 is most commonly used as a treatment for severe acne along with seborrhea or mild hirsutism (androgenization) in people assigned female at birth.
For more resources, including a full list of the risks and benefits of Diane-35, please review the product monograph.
How does Diane-35 work?
Diane-35 reduces the activity of the oil-producing skin glands. They play an important role in the development of acne. Treatment with Diane-35 can lead to the healing or improvement of existing acne. This occurs within 3 to 6 months of starting therapy.
What is Diane-35 used to treat?
Diane-35’s primary use is as a treatment for severe acne, with associated symptoms of androgenization (including seborrhea and mild hirsutism), in people assigned female at birth.
Although it should not be prescribed as a contraceptive by itself, Diane-35 is also known to provide contraception protection in people using this medication for acne treatments.
How do you take Diane-35?
Each cycle of Diane-35 involves 21 days of taking the medication, followed by 7 days without the medication. Begin taking tablets on the first day of your period.
Pills are to be taken each consecutive day during the 21-day cycle, and should be taken about the same time every day with some liquid. After 21 days, do not take any of the medication for 7 days. You must not be off the tablets for more than 7 days in a row.
When starting a second/third/etc. course of Diane-35, it’s best to try and start the medication on the same day of the week that the first course was started.
It’s important to note that Diane-35 prescriptions should be taken for multiple consecutive months, as improvements may not first appear until after 3 months of use or more.
During the month, if an ‘unscheduled’ period occurs during the 3 weeks when you are taking Diane-35 tablets, continue taking the tablets. Slight bleeding will usually stop on its own.
How long does Diane-35 last after you take it?
What are the common side effects of Diane-35?
The most common side effects from using a Diane-35 prescription include:
- Painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
- Breast tenderness, changes, enlargement, or discharge
- Headache
- Nervousness
- Depression
- Decreased libido
- Varicosities
- Nausea
- Edema
- Dizziness
- Change in weight or appetite
- Development of golden brown patches on the face (chloasma)
- Runny or stuffy nose, or sneezing (rhinitis)
- Cervical changes
- Difficulty getting pregnant after stopping treatment
If you start to experience any severe side effects, you should stop taking your Diane-35 prescription and talk to your healthcare practitioner at Felix. They may be able to suggest alternative medications that may work better for you.
Who shouldn't take Diane-35?
There are number of people who shouldn't take Diane-35, such as:
- People assigned female at birth, and who have yet to experience their first period
- People assigned female at birth, who've begun menopause
- People with a history of actual thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders
- People with a history of or actual cerebrovascular disorders
- People with active liver disease
- People with a history of or actual myocardial infarction or coronary arterial disease
- People with a history of or existing liver tumours (benign or malignant)
- People with a history of cholestatic jaundice
- People who use the Hepatitis C virus combination drug regimen ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir (with or without dasabuvir)
- People with known or suspected carcinoma of the breast
- People with known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia
- People with undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
- People with any ocular lesion arising from ophthalmic vascular disease
- People using other estrogen/progestogen combinations, or either estrogens or progestogens alone
- People who are pregnant or suspect they could be pregnant
- People with severe diabetes that has resulted in vascular changes
- People with a history of otosclerosis with deterioration during pregnancy
- People with a hypersensitivity to Diane-35 or any of its ingredients
If you believe any of these conditions could apply to you, be sure to talk to your healthcare practitioner at Felix during your online assessment. They may be able to suggest alternative medications that could work better for you, based on your health and medical history.
Further reading
