Co-cyprindiol

What is Co-cyprindiol?

Co-cyprindiol is a hormonal treatment for many skin conditions, like hirsutism, acne, and oily skin. It contains two hormones: cyproterone acetate (a progestin) and ethinylestradiol (an oestrogen). Hirsutism is characterised by excessive hair growth in areas more commonly associated with men, like the beard, moustache, chest and back areas. It affects around 5-10% of the female population^[1] and is caused by an increase in testosterone or increased sensitivity to this hormone. In some cases it can be a sign of an underlying condition like PCOS.

Hirsutism doesn’t always require treatment and is not typically harmful. But it can affect your confidence and self-esteem. So treating it with Co-cyprindiol can help balance your hormones and reduce excessive hair growth.

How does Co-cyprindiol work?

Hirsutism is caused by excess androgen production and increased sensitivity to androgens in your hair follicles. This results in excess hair growth that’s thicker and darker than usual.^[2]

Co-cyprindiol can treat hirsutism by lowering androgen levels. It contains the anti-androgen hormone cyproterone acetate. This blocks androgen receptors and lowers androgen levels by inhibiting the production of enzymes that produce androgens like testosterone. It also contains ethinyl estradiol, an oestrogen. The increased oestrogen levels in your body also help to inhibit testosterone production.^[3]

What does Co-cyprindiol treat?

Co-cyprindiol is licensed to treat skin conditions like hirsutism and acne in women of reproductive age (usually between the age of 15 and 49). It also provides contraceptive cover as a side-benefit. It’s not recommended as a contraceptive if you don’t have acne or hirsutism as it can increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (blood clots in veins) by 1.5-2 times compared to combined oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel. And while it increases the risk for all women, those with hirsutism will naturally have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.[4]

How to take Co-cyprindiol

To take Co-cyprindiol for hirsutism, swallow one pill every day for 21 days. After this, you’ll have seven days where you’ll take no pills. This is known as the pill-free week. During this week, you might get withdrawal bleeding. This is completely normal and is treated like your period. After these seven days are over, take the pill again for 21 days.

The blister pack is marked with days to help you remember if you’ve taken a pill. To start a pack, take the pill that’s marked with the day you start on. For example, if you start on a Wednesday, take the pill marked with ‘WED’. Then follow the direction of the arrow until the pack is finished.

When taking Co-cyprindiol, don’t use another hormonal treatment. So if you’re taking another contraceptive, stop taking that and use Co-cyprindiol instead. For more information, check the patient information leaflet or ask your clinician.

How long does Co-cyprindiol take to work?

Treating hirsutism with hormonal treatments can take a while. It can take a few months to see noticeable changes. So don’t give up within a few weeks if you see no improvements. Instead, carry on taking it. If you still have symptoms after six months, you’ll need to review your treatment with a clinician to check it’s still a suitable option for you.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Co-cyprindiol?

If you accidentally take more than one dose in a day, don’t worry. It shouldn’t cause you any harm, but if you feel nauseous or get some vaginal bleeding, contact your doctor for medical advice.

If you forgot to take a pill and you’re not using it as a contraceptive, it should be fine. However, if you’re using Co-cyprindiol to treat hirsutism and as a contraceptive, you might have reduced protection from pregnancy if it’s been more than 12 hours since your last dose. In this case, wear a condom for the next seven days to ensure maximum protection.