Comparison
Althea vs Cybelle
Quick answer
Both are cyproterone acetate 2 mg + ethinylestradiol 35 mcg, the Diane-35 formula. Althea is from ₱537 and Cybelle from ₱525 a pack.
Althea vs Cybelle at a glance
| Althea | Cybelle | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredients | cyproterone acetate 2 mg + ethinylestradiol 35 mcg | cyproterone acetate 2 mg + ethinylestradiol 35 mcg |
| Type | Combined pill | Combined pill |
| Estrogen | 35 mcg ethinylestradiol | 35 mcg ethinylestradiol |
| Pack | 21 tablets (21 hormone), then 7-day break | 21 tablets (21 hormone), then 7-day break |
| Price from | ₱537 a pack | ₱525 a pack |
| Per year | ₱6,981 | ₱6,825 |
| Breastfeeding | Not in the early months | Not in the early months |
The difference, explained
If you already know you want a cyproterone acetate pill, Althea and Cybelle are the two lower-priced brands of the Diane-35 formula on Philippine shelves. Both come in 21-tablet packs followed by a 7-day break, and both follow the WHO rule for 30 to 35 mcg combined pills if you miss tablets.[src]
The differences are practical: which one your pharmacy stocks, the exact price that month and what your doctor wrote on the prescription. A prescription written with the generic name (cyproterone acetate + ethinylestradiol) lets the pharmacist dispense any registered brand of that formula. These pills are meant for androgen-related acne or excess hair, not as a first-choice contraceptive for people without those symptoms.[src]
Check our price table before you buy; the cheaper of the two can change month to month. Over a year the difference is usually small compared with the gap to Diane-35.
Which may suit you
- Althea may suit you if: Your pharmacy stocks Althea or it is cheaper this month.
- Cybelle may suit you if: Cybelle is cheaper or easier to find near you.
Your doctor decides with your full health history. Not sure where to start? Try Find my method.
Three legal routes
Get a prescription
All birth control pills need a prescription in the Philippines. Pick the route that suits you. For adults 18 and over.
Free at a health center
Barangay health centers, RHUs, DOH hospitals and Likhaan. Subject to supply.
See an OB-GYN in person
Clinic visit, prescription in hand. Bring it to any licensed pharmacy.
Online consult
A licensed doctor by video or chat. From ₱700 on some platforms.
Online consult options
For adults 18 and over. Fees are set by each provider and can change.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Althea or Cybelle?
They are close. Check this month's price table; Cybelle is often slightly cheaper.
Can I alternate between Althea and Cybelle?
They are the same formula, so switching packs is generally fine. Start the next pack on time and ask your pharmacist.
This guide is for information. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or switching birth control.
Sources
- Benefits of Diane 35 and its generics outweigh risks in certain patient groups, European Medicines Agency
- Managing missed pills (Family Planning Handbook), WHO and Johns Hopkins CCP
- Oral contraceptives category, Watsons PH
- Prescription Pharmacy: Contraceptive Agents, Rose Pharmacy