Co-cyprindiol and Epiduo gel acne treatment
"An oral contraceptive paired with a branded gel you apply to your skin daily. It treats both the causes and symptoms of hormonal acne to help improve your skin’s appearance. Co-cyprindiol is also known as Dianette and Clairette, and protects you against pregnancy."
What are co-cyprindiol and Epiduo gel?
Co-cyprindiol is a contraceptive pill. Epiduo gel is an antibacterial treatment you apply directly to your skin. As co-cyprindiol is also known under two brand names you may see this treatment as Dianette and Epiduo or Clairette and Epiduo.
How do they work?
Co-cyprindiol is an oral contraceptive that treats acne by blocking the hormones that cause it. Epiduo gel gently removes dead skin cells, helping new skin to grow. It contains both adapalene and benzoyl peroxide. Together they help kill acne-causing bacteria, unblock pores, break down whiteheads and blackheads, and reduce inflammation.
Co-cyprindiol will act as a contraceptive as well as a treatment for your acne if taken correctly. This means taking co-cyprindiol on the first day of your period, then for 21 consecutive days at around the same time each day, followed by a 7-day break. Our clinicians will share more details about how to take co-cyprindiol.
Before going to bed, apply a thin layer of Epiduo gel to clean, dry skin. Wash your hands thoroughly after using the gel, as it’s likely to irritate eyes, and can bleach hair or fabrics, like towels and bed linen.
Treatment results
Combining Epiduo gel with the co-cyprindiol contraceptive pill treats both the cause of acne and its appearance. It will be most effective if your acne is small, sore, red spots with white tips (pustules).
When using Epiduo gel you should start to notice an improvement in 6-8 weeks. Continued use of Epiduo gel can help improve the appearance of acne as well as working to prevent future outbreaks.
Side effects of co-cyprindiol and Epiduo gel
As with all contraceptive pills, some women may experience side effects when taking co-cyprindiol. These include changes in mood, an increase in body weight, headaches, nausea, and sore breasts.
Epiduo gel is likely to make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. So, try to protect yourself from the sun, use oil-free SPF 50 sunscreen, and avoid sunbeds or sun lamps. Some people may also experience blistering skin, redness, dryness and a mild burning sensation when using Epiduo gel.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the Epiduo and co-cyprindiol patient information leaflets. And if you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
Product features
An effective combination treatment for women only
The co-cyprindiol contraceptive pill helps prevent hormonal acne
Epiduo gel unblocks pores and kills acne-causing bacteria
What are co-cyprindiol and Epiduo gel?
Co-cyprindiol is a contraceptive pill. Epiduo gel is an antibacterial treatment you apply directly to your skin. As co-cyprindiol is also known under two brand names you may see this treatment as Dianette and Epiduo or Clairette and Epiduo.
How do they work?
Co-cyprindiol is an oral contraceptive that treats acne by blocking the hormones that cause it. Epiduo gel gently removes dead skin cells, helping new skin to grow. It contains both adapalene and benzoyl peroxide. Together they help kill acne-causing bacteria, unblock pores, break down whiteheads and blackheads, and reduce inflammation.
Co-cyprindiol will act as a contraceptive as well as a treatment for your acne if taken correctly. This means taking co-cyprindiol on the first day of your period, then for 21 consecutive days at around the same time each day, followed by a 7-day break. Our clinicians will share more details about how to take co-cyprindiol.
Before going to bed, apply a thin layer of Epiduo gel to clean, dry skin. Wash your hands thoroughly after using the gel, as it’s likely to irritate eyes, and can bleach hair or fabrics, like towels and bed linen.
Treatment results
Combining Epiduo gel with the co-cyprindiol contraceptive pill treats both the cause of acne and its appearance. It will be most effective if your acne is small, sore, red spots with white tips (pustules).
When using Epiduo gel you should start to notice an improvement in 6-8 weeks. Continued use of Epiduo gel can help improve the appearance of acne as well as working to prevent future outbreaks.
Side effects of co-cyprindiol and Epiduo gel
As with all contraceptive pills, some women may experience side effects when taking co-cyprindiol. These include changes in mood, an increase in body weight, headaches, nausea, and sore breasts.
Epiduo gel is likely to make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. So, try to protect yourself from the sun, use oil-free SPF 50 sunscreen, and avoid sunbeds or sun lamps. Some people may also experience blistering skin, redness, dryness and a mild burning sensation when using Epiduo gel.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the Epiduo and co-cyprindiol patient information leaflets. And if you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
Select a medication and complete our simple, confidential online consultation
A clinician will review your answers and, if suitable, prescribe treatment
Choose next-day delivery, or click & collect from your local pharmacy
Co-cyprindiol and Epiduo gel acne treatment FAQs
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How long do co-cyprindiol and Epiduo gel take to work?
It’s likely to take two to six months before you can see a significant improvement in your acne.
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Who can take co-cyprindiol and Epiduo gel?
This combination treatment is most likely to be prescribed to women up to the age of 50 with moderate to severe hormonal acne. However, we only prescribe to adults over 18 years old.
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Can I use co-cyprindiol and Epiduo gel while pregnant or breastfeeding?
You shouldn't take co-cyprindiol or use Epiduo gel while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. If you think you could be pregnant, we advise taking a test before you start this treatment.
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Where can I buy co-cyprindiol and Epiduo gel?
You’ll need a prescription to buy co-cyprindiol and Epiduo 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.
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Co-cyprindiol and Epiduo gel warnings
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.
- You have diabetes.
There are other instances where this contraceptive pill may not be suitable, and our clinicians can advise on this in a consultation.
Epiduo gel
Your clinician will share any warnings and precautions when using Epiduo gel. Please note:
- Never apply Epiduo to areas of skin where you have cuts, scrapes, sunburn or eczema.
- Be careful not to get the gel in your eyes, mouth or nostrils or other sensitive areas of the body.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or other sources of UV light like sunbeds or sun lamps.
- Wash your hands thoroughly whenever you use the gel.
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Do co-cyprindiol and Epiduo gel interact with any other medications?
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. While using Epiduo gel, you should avoid:
- Acne products that contain benzoyl peroxide
- Medications that contain retinoids, such as adapalene
- Cosmetics or toiletries that irritate, dry or exfoliate your skin
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Alternative acne treatments
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 work on their own, depending on how serious your acne is and what’s causing it.
Delivery and collection information
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Standard delivery (Free)
Packages will be delivered within 2-3 working days of your order being approved.
You’ll be contacted by your courier when they know when they’ll be delivering your package. You can update your delivery preferences in the Royal Mail app to enable delivery to a neighbour or leave in a safe place if you won't be in.
If you’re not present when Royal Mail deliver your treatment, they will:
- Post your parcel through your letter box
- Deliver to neighbour
- Deliver to your chosen safe place
If none of these options are feasible, Royal Mail will attempt to deliver the next working day.
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Next day delivery (£4.95)
Mainland UK
- Orders approved before 5pm Monday-Friday will arrive the next day (Tuesday - Saturday).
- Orders approved up to 11am Saturday will arrive on Sunday.
- Orders approved after 11am Saturday and all-day Sunday will arrive Tuesday.
Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Scottish Highlands, Channel Islands and other offshore UK destinations:
- Please allow an additional 24 to 48 hours for offshore UK destinations
You’ll be contacted by your courier when they know when they’ll be delivering your package. You can update your delivery preferences in the Royal Mail app to enable delivery to a neighbour or leave in a safe place if you won't be in.
If you’re not present when Royal Mail deliver your treatment, they will:
- Post your parcel through your letter box
- Deliver to neighbour
- Deliver to your chosen safe place
If none of these options are feasible, Royal Mail will attempt to deliver to you the next working day.
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Click and Collect (Free)
If your order is approved by 5pm Monday-Friday, you should be able to pick it up the same day from selected pharmacies - provided they have your treatment in stock.
We suggest you ring your chosen pharmacy before you go to collect your treatment, just to make sure they have it in stock and ready.
