Methods
What are the uses of Althea pills?
Quick answer
Althea (cyproterone acetate 2 mg + ethinylestradiol 35 mcg) has exactly the same formula as Diane-35. It is used for moderate to severe hormone-related acne and excess hair, and it also prevents pregnancy.[src] It costs from ₱537 a pack, about ₱158.75 less than Diane-35, and needs a prescription.
What Althea is used for
Althea belongs to the cyproterone acetate family of pills, the same family as Diane-35 and Cybelle. The European Medicines Agency's review of this formula sets out its uses:[src]
- Moderate to severe acne linked to androgens, usually after creams and antibiotic tablets have not worked well enough.
- Excess hair growth (hirsutism) linked to androgens.
- Contraception, as a side benefit. Because it already prevents pregnancy, it should not be combined with another hormonal contraceptive.
In the Philippines doctors often prescribe it for people with PCOS who have acne or hair growth. It can help those symptoms and give a regular withdrawal bleed, but it does not treat PCOS itself. See what the Diane pill is used for for the full picture, since every point there applies to Althea too.
Is Althea really the same as Diane-35?
The active ingredients and doses match. What differs is the maker and the price.
| Brand | Formula | Pack | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diane-35 | Cyproterone acetate 2 mg + EE 35 mcg | 21 tablets | ₱695.75 |
| Althea | Cyproterone acetate 2 mg + EE 35 mcg | 21 tablets | ₱537 |
| Cybelle | Cyproterone acetate 2 mg + EE 35 mcg | 21 tablets | ₱525 |
Prices from Watsons and Rose Pharmacy listings.[src][src] Inactive ingredients such as fillers and coatings can differ between brands. That rarely matters, but if you notice a change after switching, tell your doctor.
Switching from Diane-35 to Althea
Because the formula and the 21-tablet pack are the same, many people simply start the Althea strip on the day they would have started their next Diane-35 strip, after the usual 7-day break. Ask your doctor to write the generic name (cyproterone acetate + ethinylestradiol) on your prescription, or to note that a same-formula brand is fine, so the pharmacist can give you whichever is in stock. Over a year of 13 packs, the saving against Diane-35 is about ₱2,064. More in same formula, lower price.
Who should be careful
EMA found the risk of clots in the veins with this formula is about 1.5 to 2 times higher than with levonorgestrel pills like Trust.[src] It is not suitable for smokers 35 and over, people with migraine with aura, a past clot or high blood pressure.[src] Chest pain, a swollen painful leg or sudden breathlessness need emergency care.
Three legal routes
Get a prescription
Althea needs 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
Para saan ang Althea pills?
Para sa acne at sobrang buhok na dulot ng hormones, at contraceptive din ito. Pareho ang laman nito sa Diane-35 pero mas mura. Kailangan ng reseta.
Is Althea cheaper than Diane-35?
Yes. At the pharmacies we checked, Althea costs from ₱537 and Diane-35 from ₱695.75 a pack. Cybelle, another same-formula brand, is from ₱525.
Does Althea make you gain weight?
Reviews of combined pills have not found a large effect on weight. Some people feel bloated or hungrier in the first months, which usually settles.
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
- Combined pill: who can and cannot take it, NHS
- Oral contraceptives category, Watsons PH
- Prescription Pharmacy: Contraceptive Agents, Rose Pharmacy