Co-cyprindiol and Duac gel

Co-cyprindiol and Duac gel is an effective treatment for women aged 18 to 50 years old who have mild to moderate hormonal acne. However, we only prescribe to adults over 18 years old.

You shouldn't take co-cyprindiol or use Duac gel while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. If you think you could be pregnant, we advise taking a test before starting this combination treatment.

You’ll need a prescription to buy co-cyprindiol and Duac gel, if you’re using an online service.

One of our clinicians can prescribe these medications after an online consultation where we make sure they’re right for you. It only takes a few minutes.

Co-cyprindiol

Taking co-cyprindiol can make certain conditions worse for some people, so tell your clinician if:

• You, or someone in your close family, has ever had problems with your heart or circulation, such as high blood pressure.
• You, or someone in your close family, has ever had problems with blood clotting.
• You’ve ever had migraines.
• You currently have depression or have had it in the past. 

There are other instances where this contraceptive pill may not suitable, and our clinicians can advise on this in a consultation.

Duac gel

Make sure to read the patient information leaflet included with your treatment. Our clinicians will also advise.

• You should only use Duac gel on your skin, avoiding areas like your eyes, lips, mouth, or inside your nose.
• Don’t use the gel on irritated or broken skin, for example on cuts, grazes or sunburn.
• Use gel sparingly on sensitive areas of skin.
• Most people get some skin redness and peeling during the first few weeks of using Duac gel. If your skin becomes irritated, you may need to use an oil-free moisturiser, use Duac gel less often, or pause treatment for a period of time to allow your skin to recover.
• If Duac gel causes serious skin irritation that persists (severe redness, dryness, itching, stinging or burning) you should stop treatment and speak to your doctor or clinician.
• Duac gel is likely to make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. So, try not to spend too long in the sun, wear protective clothing, use oil-free SPF 50 sunscreen and avoid sources of UV light like sunbeds or sun lamps. 

Check with your clinician before using Duac gel if:

• You’ve ever had the gut problems regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis or antibiotic-associated colitis.
• You develop persistent or severe stomach cramps or diarrhoea, stop using Duac gel and contact your doctor immediately. These are side effects you might expect when taking antibiotics orally, not on your skin (topically).
• You’ve recently used other medicines that contain clindamycin or erythromycin (as there’s an increased chance that Dauc gel won’t work as well as it should).

So our clinicians can prescribe an effective and safe acne treatment, you’ll need to let us know which prescription and over-the-counter medicines you’re taking regularly. This includes any medications for other skin conditions like eczema.

Taking certain other medications at the same time as co-cyprindiol can make it less effective in protecting against pregnancy. And while using Duac gel, you should avoid: 

• Any medications that contain the antibiotic erythromycin, oral or topical.
• Applying any skin products that contain tretinoin, isotretinoin or tazarotene.
• Taking medicines that contain isotretinoin, including the branded tablet Roaccutane. 

Our clinicians can also prescribe oral antibiotics to treat your acne alongside a gel or cream, tailoring the right combination for your needs. Medications you apply to your skin (topical) may also work on their own, depending on how serious your acne is and what’s causing it.