Ethinylestradiol/Cyproterone

Cyproterone acetate combined with ethinylestradiol (co-cyprindiol) is intended for use in women with androgen-dependent skin conditions, but it also acts as an oral contraceptive and is therefore predicted to interact like conventional oestrogen-containing oral contraceptives (see Co-cyprindiol (Cyproterone/Ethinylestradiol) + Miscellaneous , p.977). 

Dianette (Cyproterone/ethinylestradiol). Schering Health Care Ltd UK Sinmnaiy of product... 

Cilest is a combined hormonal contraceptive that contains ethinylestradiol and norgestimate. These products may cause nausea, especially on commencement of therapy. Other side-effects that may occur in decreasing order of probability include fluid retention, reduced menstrual loss and photosensitivity. Acne is not commonly associated with combined hormonal contraceptive. Hormone therapy consisting of ethinylestradiol and cyproterone may be used for the management acne in women. 

Cyproterone acetate in combination with ethinylestra-diol is indicated for the treatment of women with severe acne and moderately severe hirsutism. This product has been associated with a greater risk of venous thromboembolism than oral contraceptives. However, in a rigorous case-control study the risk of venous thromboembolism with cyproterone acetate + ethinylestradiol was not significantly greater than the risk in women who took conventional oral contraceptives (25). 

Gollnick H, Albring M, Brill K. The efficacy of oral cyproterone acetate in combination with ethinylestradiol in acne tarda of the facial type. J Dermatol Treat 1998 9 71-9. 

Uses. C3 roterone is used for reducing male hypersexuality and in prostatic cancer and severe female hirsutism. A formulation of cyproterone plus ethinylestradiol (Dianette) is offered for this latter purpose as well as for severe acne in women this... 

Hormonal contraceptives can be used to control acne. Co-cyprindiol, containing cyproterone, an antiandrogen that decreases sebum production, and ethinylestradiol is specifically indicated for women with moderate to severe acne, but it is not available without prescription. 

The manufacturer also points out that combined oral contraceptives (and presumably the combined hormonal contraceptive patch) must not be taken with co-cyprindiol. To do this would be analogous to doubling the ethinylestradiol dose with consequent increased risk of adverse effects. In addition, some of the progestagens in combined oral contraceptives have weak androgenic effects, which could oppose the benefits of cyproterone. 

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