Diane-35 contains cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol. It is a prescription hormonal medicine mainly used to treat severe acne in women when other treatments have not worked well enough. It can be especially helpful when acne occurs along with signs of increased androgen activity, such as very oily skin or mild excessive facial or body hair.
Severe Acne
Diane-35 may be prescribed for women with severe acne that has not improved with other treatments, such as topical acne medicines or oral antibiotics.
It can help reduce symptoms such as:
- Frequent or persistent breakouts
- Inflamed pimples
- Very oily skin
- Acne associated with excess androgen activity
Improvement is usually gradual. It may take several menstrual cycles before you notice a clear difference in your skin.
Oily Skin and Seborrhea
Diane-35 may also help reduce seborrhea, which means unusually oily skin caused partly by increased activity of the sebaceous glands.
Androgens can stimulate these glands to produce more oil. Cyproterone acetate helps block the effects of androgens, which may reduce excess oil production and improve acne over time.
Excessive Hair Growth
Diane-35 may also help women who have mild hirsutism, or excessive facial or body hair related to androgen activity.
Hirsutism may cause darker or thicker hair to grow in areas such as the face, chin, chest, abdomen, or back.
Because hair grows in cycles, improvement can take longer than improvement in acne. Several months of treatment may be needed before a noticeable change occurs.
How Does Diane-35 Work?
Diane-35 combines two active ingredients that work together.
Cyproterone acetate has antiandrogen effects. It reduces the effects of androgens, sometimes called male-type hormones. Women naturally produce small amounts of these hormones, but increased androgen activity can contribute to acne, oily skin, and excessive hair growth.
Ethinyl estradiol is a synthetic estrogen. It works with cyproterone acetate to reduce androgen activity and regulate hormone levels.
Together, these ingredients can decrease oil production in the skin and reduce other androgen-related symptoms.
Does Diane-35 Prevent Pregnancy?
Diane-35 can prevent ovulation and provide contraceptive protection when taken correctly. However, in Canada, it is not intended to be prescribed solely for birth control. Its main approved use is the temporary treatment of severe acne associated with androgen-related symptoms when other treatments have not been successful.
You should not take another hormonal contraceptive at the same time unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to, because combining hormonal contraceptives can increase the risk of side effects such as blood clots.
How Long Does Diane-35 Take to Work?
Diane-35 does not work immediately.
Acne and oily skin usually improve gradually over several treatment cycles. Excessive hair growth may take longer because existing hairs must go through their normal growth cycle before improvement becomes noticeable.
Continue taking the medication exactly as prescribed even if you do not notice an immediate improvement.
How Long is Diane-35 Usually Used?
Diane-35 is generally intended for temporary treatment rather than indefinite use. The Canadian product information recommends limiting exposure and reassessing treatment once symptoms have cleared.
Your healthcare provider will decide how long you should continue treatment based on your symptoms, response, and individual risks.
Who May Be Prescribed Diane-35?
Diane-35 may be considered for women who have severe acne together with signs of androgen activity and who have not responded adequately to other available treatments.
It is not usually the first treatment tried for mild acne.
Important Safety Information
Diane-35 can increase the risk of blood clots, including clots in the legs or lungs. Because of this risk, your healthcare provider should review your medical history before prescribing it.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have a personal or family history of blood clots, stroke, heart problems, migraines with neurological symptoms, liver disease, or other conditions that may make hormonal treatment less suitable.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms such as sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, severe unexplained leg pain or swelling, sudden vision changes, or sudden weakness or numbness.
Important Reminder
Take Diane-35 exactly as prescribed. Do not use it solely as a birth control pill, and do not combine it with another hormonal contraceptive unless specifically directed by your healthcare provider.
Regular follow-up is important so your healthcare provider can review how well your acne or other androgen-related symptoms are improving and determine whether you still need treatment.
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