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Looking for an effective acne treatment or a reliable contraceptive pill? Dianette may be suitable. Co-cyprindiol, the active ingredient in Dianette, has been shown to be highly effective at reducing acne breakouts and regulating hormone levels to prevent pregnancy. With online access to buy Dianette, you can take control of your health and feel confident in your acne treatment or contraception method.
Product images are for illustrative purposes only, and you may receive a different licensed alternative.
*Product images are for illustrative purposes only, and you may receive a different licensed alternative.
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Dianette is prescription-only, second-line, anti-androgen treatment that may be prescribed to females for acne or hirsutism. Although Dianette has contraceptive properties, it is not routinely prescribed for birth control.
Dianette is the branded name for a medication containing two active ingredients: Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinylestradiol. Dianette is typically used in women for the treatment of severe acne which has not responded to topical treatments and hirsutism (excessive hair growth) and other symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS.)
Dianette contains two active ingredients: Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinylestradiol. These two medications work on various systems in the body:
In combination these medications are known as Co-Cyprindiol (or as branded medications such as Dianette) lower androgen levels and blocks the effect of androgen in the body.
For those with Acne, lower androgen levels means reduced sebum production and inflammation in the skin.
For those with Hirsutism, lower androgen levels help to prevent unwanted hair growth by reducing stimulation of hair follicles.
Whilst Dianette can be useful for treating severe acne, it is not typically used as a first line treatment. However, if a patient is female and has severe acne that has not responded to other acne treatments then Dianette may be considered, however it should not be used for longer than 3 months.
Dianette is licensed for women of childbearing age with severe acne or hirsutism that has not responded to other treatment. Several groups should not use co-cyprindiol, including but not limited to those who:
There is a common misconception that Dianette is a birth control pill. In the UK it is not licensed for contraception, even though it works much like a combined pill. Because it contains ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate, Dianette does prevent pregnancy while you take it, which is why people often assume it is prescribed as a contraceptive pill. In practice a doctor prescribes it to treat acne or hirsutism, not as your main method of birth control.
If you mainly want contraception, a dedicated combined pill such as Lucette or Yasmin is usually more suitable, since Dianette as a contraceptive is less effective than those options and is not intended for long-term use. Your doctor can advise on switching to a standard combined pill once your skin or hair symptoms have settled.
Dianette tablets come in packs of 63, made up of three blister strips of 21 tablets. Take one tablet a day at the same time, following the cycle below:
Days | What to do |
Day 1 | Start on the first day of your period, taking the tablet marked with the correct day of the week |
Days 1 to 21 | Take one tablet daily, swallowed whole with water, following the arrows on the strip |
Days 22 to 28 | Take a 7 day break with no tablets. You should have a withdrawal bleed during this time |
Day 29 | Start a new strip, even if you are still bleeding, and repeat the cycle |
Taking each tablet at the same time every day keeps Dianette working properly. If you struggle to remember, set a phone reminder or keep the pack somewhere you will see it.
Like all medicines, the Dianette birth control pill can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. Most are mild and settle on their own, but two are more serious and worth knowing about.
Depression: some women report low mood while taking this contraceptive pill, and in rare cases this has been linked to thoughts of self-harm. If you notice persistent low mood, stop taking your Dianette tablets and seek medical advice.
Cervical cancer: long term use has been associated with a slightly raised risk of cervical cancer, though this may relate to unprotected sex rather than the medicine itself, which is why regular smear tests matter.
The more common effects are grouped below by how often they occur:
Common (up to 1 in 10) | Uncommon (up to 1 in 100) | Rare (up to 1 in 1,000) |
Nausea, vomiting, headache, weight gain, mood swings, breast tenderness, fluid retention, stomach ache | Skin rash, poor tolerance of contact lenses, loss of sexual interest, vaginal discharge | Migraine, venous blood clot, breast discharge, breast enlargement, weight loss, increase in sexual interest |
For the full list, always read the patient information leaflet supplied with your pack.
You should ensure you always provide your doctor with a complete picture of your health status however, if you have any of the following conditions it’s especially important your doctor is made aware before you begin treatment with Dianette.
The most important safety point with the contraceptive pill Dianette is a raised risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), where a clot forms in a vein, such as deep vein thrombosis in the leg or a pulmonary embolism in the lung. An MHRA review found the risk on Dianette tablets is roughly 1.5 to 2 times higher than with levonorgestrel-containing pills, though it concluded the benefits still outweigh the risks for the right patients.
Your risk is higher if you:
Tell your prescriber about any of these before starting, and seek urgent medical help if you develop leg swelling and pain, sudden breathlessness, or chest pain while taking Dianette.
Dianette can increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes amongst some patients. It is important you communicate your medical history as well as your familial medical history of heart disease, to your prescriber.
Missing a Dianette pill affects your protection differently depending on how late you are:
Situation | What to do |
Less than 12 hours late | Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember and carry on as normal, even if that means two Dianette tablets in one day. You stay protected. |
12 hours or more late, or more than one missed | Take the most recent missed tablet now and continue as normal, but use condoms for the next 7 days, as your protection may be reduced. |
Late starting a new strip, or a break longer than 7 days | Your protection may drop. Use condoms for 7 days, and if you had unprotected sex during the break, speak to a doctor or pharmacist about emergency contraception. |
Taking two tablets in one day to catch up is unlikely to harm you. If you are ever unsure, use a barrier method and check with your prescriber.
Dianette is meant for short-term use, not as a long-term pill. The MHRA advises stopping co-cyprindiol around 3 to 4 months after your acne or hirsutism has cleared, rather than continuing indefinitely. Because clear improvement with Dianette for acne usually takes at least 3 months, a full course can run several months, and your clinician should review your progress regularly.
Once your symptoms have settled for a few months, you stop Dianette and, if you still need contraception, switch to a standard combined pill. Although Dianette combined pill provides contraceptive protection, it is prescribed primarily for treating acne and hirsutism. If the acne or hirsutism returns later, your doctor may prescribe another course.
You should not take Dianette alongside another hormonal contraceptive, such as a combined pill, patch, or ring. Doubling up exposes you to twice the oestrogen dose and sharply increases your VTE risk. If you already take a hormonal contraceptive and want to start the Dianette pill for acne or hirsutism, stop the other method first and switch over on your prescriber’s advice.
Do not take Dianette if you are allergic to co-cyprindiol, ethinylestradiol, or any other ingredient in the medicine. Stop taking it and seek emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction, which can include:
At Meds for Less the Dianette price starts from £24.99 for a pack. You complete a short text-based consultation with a doctor, who confirms the treatment is safe and suitable for you before writing a prescription and dispatching your medication.
Because this is a prescription-only medicine, where you buy it matters. Counterfeit versions sold by unregistered sites can be ineffective or even dangerous. Meds for Less is a registered provider, so when you order Dianette with us you get:
Authored:19/07/2026
Accidentally taking an extra tablet is unlikely to be harmful, though it may bring on nausea, vomiting, or some vaginal bleeding. If you take considerably more than prescribed, or feel unwell, contact your doctor for advice.
Dianette is meant for short term use. The MHRA advises stopping around 3 to 4 months after your acne or hirsutism has cleared. Your clinician should review your progress regularly.
Dianette carries a higher risk of blood clots than standard combined pills, roughly 1.5 to 2 times that of levonorgestrel-containing options. The MHRA has concluded the benefits outweigh the risks for the right patients, so a prescriber will check your medical history before starting you on it.
Combined oral contraceptives usually contain two hormones: ethinylestradiol, (a synthetic version of oestrogen) and progestin, a synthetic version of progesterone. Examples of progestin include levonorgestrel, norethisterone or drospirenone.
Dianette differs from other combined oral contraceptive pills as it contains an ingredient called Cyproterone Acetate. Cyproterone Acetate is an antiandrogen, which works by blocking male hormone receptors in the body helping to prevent male hormones acting in the body. This makes Dianette effective for treating acne or excessive hair growth.
Dianette Birth Control Pill – An unsuitable option: It is important to note that Dianette is not licensed as a contraceptive pill in the UK. Whilst Dianette can help prevent pregnancy, it’s primarily used as a second-line treatment for Acne or Hirsutism.
Yes, Dianette pill for acne is an effective treatment for adult hormonal acne in females.
Whilst you can buy Dianette pill online, it is a prescription-only medication. A doctor or nurse will prescribe the medication if clinically indicated. There are several patient groups which are more susceptible to risks or side effects when Dianette, including but not limited to patients with breast abnormalities or a history of breast cancer, anyone with any liver issues and several other groups.
Ensure you are sharing all information regarding your health status with your prescribing clinician so they can make a decision as to whether Dianette is safe for you.
Dianette combined pill is not licenced as a contraceptive in the UK. Whilst it is effective at preventing pregnancies, it is not as reliable as other options.
Please seek other treatments if you are looking for an appropriate contraceptive pill.
Dianette is an effective treatment for hormonal acne and hirsutism however there are some risks of side effects or more serious complications.
Ordering Dianette online can be convenient but to ensure you remain safe you must share all relevant information.