How does co-cyprindiol work?

People with acne may produce too much sebum in the skin glands causing greasy, oily skin, and spots and cysts. Co-cyprindiol works by reducing the production of sebum. The hormone, cyproterone, is an anti-androgen, androgens are the sex hormones which stimulate skin glands to produce sebum and skin growth. As co-cyprindiol contains cyproterone this helps to suppress the androgens to inhibit them from overproducing sebum which results in acne. This medication also contains ethinylestradiol which contains oestrogen to balance hormones.

Who is co-cyprindiol suitable for?

Co-cyprindiol is suitable for females only. Women who suffer from severe acne and hair growth are prescribed this medication when other alternatives have been exhausted and have had no effect, such as antibiotics. Co-cyprindiol is not usually the first line of treatment for acne.

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition which causes spots and pimples to appear on the face, back and chest. The severity of this condition can vary from person to person with some people experiencing small blackheads and whiteheads, whilst others may have cystic acne which causes painful nodules and cysts to appear on the face. In cases where acne is severe and has not responded to topical treatments, co-cyprindiol may be suitable.

Due to its hormonal properties it may also be suitable as contraception for some women, however this should be discussed with a GP first. Although this medication can provide some contraceptive cover, it is not a free form of contraception as it should not be relied upon as the sole contraceptive measure.

Who is co-cyprindiol not suitable for?

This medication may not be suitable for some people for a number of reasons, usually because of interaction with other medication or health conditions. You should consult with our online doctors before being prescribed this medication to determine your suitability. People who have certain health conditions or are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant may not be suitable to take co-cyprindiol.

Co-cyprindiol and pregnancy

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or thinking of becoming pregnant you should not take this medication. If you are currently taking co-cyprindiol and become pregnant you should stop taking it and consult your GP. This medication should also not be taken if you have had any of the following conditions whilst pregnant:

• Pruritus of pregnancy (itchy, dry skin of the body)
• Herpes gestationis - itchy rash in pregnancy
• Otosclerosis - worsening of inherited deafness
• Jaundice

Co-cyprindiol and health conditions

This medication is not suitable for people with certain health conditions as it may worsen these conditions or put you at risk of developing other health conditions. Co-cyprindiol has been found to slightly increase the risk of thrombosis (blood clots), the chances of developing a blood clot are very slim. Due to this reason, if you have or have ever had a blood clot in your leg, lung or any other part of the body you should not take this medication. Likewise if you have a condition that already increases your risk of blood clots such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, co-cyprindiol is not suitable for you.

Other health conditions which make you unsuitable for the use of co-cyprindiol include angina, heart attack, ‘mini stroke’, liver disease and migraines. If you have any other existing condition you should consult with a GP first before taking this medication to determine whether it may affect your condition or medication.

You should also not take this medication if you are allergic to cyproterone acetate, ethinylestradiol or any of the ingredients in co-cyprindiol.

Co-cyprindiol and other medication

You should always check when starting a new medication that it is safe to take with any existing medication that you may be taking to avoid side effects and interaction between the medications. As co-cyprindiol is a hormonal treatment you cannot take any other hormonal treatment alongside it such as other oral contraceptives.

How to take co-cyprindiol

Always follow a doctor’s instructions when taking this medication. The dosage of co-cyprindiol is one tablet to be taken orally at the same time each day for 21 days, followed by seven days of taking no tablets. Take the first tablet on the first day of your period. You must never exceed the recommended dose or double dose if you miss a tablet, consult the patient information leaflet or your doctor first.

What are the side effects of co-cyprindiol?

As with any medication there are side effects, some are common and some are very rare with only 1 in 1,000 people or less experiencing the rare side effects. If you experience any side effects you should stop taking this medication and consult a GP.

Common side effects

Symptoms which may affect less than 1 in 10 people include headaches or worsening of migraines, mood swings or depression, stomach pain, nausea, breast tenderness or pain, and fluctuations in weight.

Uncommon and rare side effects

There are side effects which can be dangerous but are very rare. You should pay close attention to side effects such as pains or tightness in the chest which may be a sign of a blood clot. You should also look out for other rare side effects such as unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding, changes in the breasts such as lump, dimpling of the skin, nipple changes, as well as rashes on the skin, migraines, vomiting and loss of libido.

You should also look out for signs of a heart attack or stroke. With a stroke this will involve drooping of the face, weakness in one side of the body, slurred speech, severe headache, and confusion. With a heart attack the signs usually include pain or discomfort in the chest, arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea and feeling lightheaded. Although the symptoms of a heart attack can vary from person to person and may be different in men and women. Find out more about the signs of a heart attack at the British Heart Foundation.

In rare cases some people may experience an allergic reaction to the ingredients in co-cyprindiol. Symptoms may include swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or face, and hives on the skin.

This is not an exhaustive list of the side effects of this medication and you should consult the patient information leaflet for more details.

Is co-cyprindiol effective?

Co-cyprindiol is effective at reducing the formation of new spots and in turn reducing acne. Your skin will become much less greasy in the first few weeks of taking the medication and an improvement in acne will be noticeable after around 3 months, although this may be longer when treating excessive hair growth.

Co-cyprindiol is an effective treatment for severe cases of acne and it may be stopped by your doctor when skin is completely clear.

How to buy co-cyprindiol online

It’s important that you buy co-cyprindiol legally and safely, and to do this online you will need a prescription from a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registered prescriber. At PillDoctor our GPhC registered prescribers make buying medication online safe, convenient and fast. You can order your prescription medication from the comfort of your home by submitting a medical consultation form and relevant details which are reviewed by our online doctors to determine your suitability. Once you have been deemed suitable to take this particular medication it will be dispensed by our UK-based pharmacy and sent to you via a tracked courier service.

How is my order shipped to me?

When an order is ready for shipping, it is collected and delivered by either the Royal Mail or DPD depending on your preference (or possibly your location or the item you ordered). Each order is assigned a tracking number, which will be emailed to you at the time of dispatch. Your medicine will be sent in plain and discreet packaging that’s eco-friendly. We do not include any branding on our packaging nor any labels which inform readers what type of product is contained within