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Althea Pills: Guide to the Best Oral Contraceptive Pill

Althea pills is a brand name for a combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) that contains cyproterone acetate and ethinylestradiol. It is used to prevent pregnancy, as well as to treat acne and hirsutism (excessive hair growth).

COCPs work by preventing ovulation and thickening the cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to reach the egg. Cyproterone acetate also has anti-androgenic effects, which means that it blocks the effects of testosterone, a male hormone that can contribute to acne and hirsutism.

Althea Pills: Guide to the Best Oral Contraceptive Pill

Althea is a low-dose COCP, which means that it contains a relatively low amount of estrogen and progestin hormones. This makes it a good option for women who are sensitive to the side effects of higher-dose COCPs.

Althea is typically taken once a day for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break. During the break, menstrual bleeding will occur. Althea should be started on the first day of menstruation.

Cyproterone acetate, ethinylestradiol.

Description

Each of the 21 pink-orange tablets contains Cyproterone Acetate 2 mg and Ethinylestradiol 35 mcg.

Cyproterone acetate + Ethinylestradiol (ALTHEA) is a combined low-dose oral contraceptive pill with anti-androgenic properties. It decreases sebum secretion during acne breakouts and hair growth.

Action

Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics: Cyproterone acetate is slowly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract with peak plasma concentration being achieved in three or four hours. It is about 96% bound to plasma proteins. The terminal elimination half-life is about 38 hours.

Cyproterone is metabolized in the liver; about 35% of a dose is excreted in urine as free and conjugated metabolites, the remainder being excreted in the bile. The principal metabolite 15β-hydroxycyproterone, has anti-androgenic activity.
Ethinylestradiol is absorbed well and rapidly by the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of an ethinyl group at the 17-position greatly reduces hepatic first-pass metabolism compared with estradiol, enabling the compound to be much more active if taken orally.

There is some initial conjugation at the gut wall, and the systemic bioavailability is only 40%. Ethinylestradiol is highly protein bound, unlike naturally occurring estrogens, which are mainly bound to sex hormone-binding globulin; it is principally bound to albumin. It is metabolized in the liver, and excreted in urine and feces. Metabolites undergo enterohepatic recycling.

Indications/Uses

Cyproterone Acetate + Ethinylestradiol (ALTHEA) is indicated for contraception in women, and control of acne and hirsutism (unwanted hair growth).

Dosage and Direction for Use of Althea Pills

Talk to the healthcare provider before taking Cyproterone Acetate + Ethinylestradiol (ALTHEA).
For contraception, control of acne and hirsutism, regulation of the menstrual cycle, reduction of premenstrual tension, and relief from pain and excessive bleeding during menstruation: Take one pill daily, beginning on the first day of menstrual bleeding.

The patient can also start any day as long as the patient is not pregnant and is using a back-up method such as a condom for the next seven days as a precaution to avoid pregnancy. Start with the pill marked with the corresponding day of the week. Follow the arrows indicated on the pack.
The interval between two pills should be 24 hours.

Incorporate it to the daily routine – after eating meals or before going to sleep, so the patient can easily remember to take it. A pack is good for 21 days.
After taking the last pill, do not take any pill on the next seven days. The seven pill-free days complete the 28-day menstrual cycle.
Start the new pack after seven pill-free days. Normal menstrual cycle period will most likely resume during pill-free days.
The patient may continue taking the pill as long as the patient wants to avoid pregnancy. Do not skip taking the pill even if there is a brief pause from sexual activity.
The patient should only stop taking the pill after finishing a pack; otherwise, bleeding may start.
Vomiting and persistent severe diarrhea can interfere with the absorption of the pill. If vomiting occurs within two hours of taking a pill, another pill should be taken as soon as possible.

If persistent vomiting and diarrhea last more than 24 hours, follow the instruction on Missed Pills.
If the patient missed one pill, the patient must take it within 12 hours after the 24-hour lapse to sustain its efficacy. Take the remaining pills as scheduled to avoid premature withdrawal bleeding. Follow the instructions on Missed Pills.
For control of acne and/or hirsutism: Continue taking the pill for additional three to four months after the complete resolution of symptoms.
If acne or hirsutism recurs, take the pill until the complete resolution of the symptoms.

Missed Pills: The key to effective contraception is following the recommended dosage consistently.
If the patient missed one pill, the patient must take it within 12 hours after the 24-hour lapse. Take the pill due for the day at the regular time even if it means taking two pills in one day. Keep taking one pill each day at the usual time.

The patient will not need a back-up contraceptive method if the patient missed only one pill.
Missing two or more pills consecutively increases the probability of getting pregnant. Take the most recently missed pill as soon as remembered and discard all previously missed pills. Resume taking the next scheduled pill and either abstain from sex or use condoms for the next seven days. Count the pills left in the pack.

If one to six pills are left in the pack, continue taking the remaining pills. Start with a new pack immediately and either abstain from sex or use condoms for the next seven days. Bleeding may not come at the regular time.
If there are seven or more pills left in the pack, continue taking the contents of the pack.

Do not take any pills for the next seven days (seven pill-free days). Start a new pack after the seven pill-free days.
If the patient continually forgets to take the pill, ask the healthcare provider for ways to become compliant, or for another method of contraception which will suit the patient better.

Overdosage

No serious ill effects have been reported after ingestion of large doses of oral contraceptives, although it may cause nausea and withdrawal bleeding in females. Treatment is unnecessary because the overdose is unlikely to be life-threatening. Consult the healthcare provider for further instructions.

Contraindications

Make sure that the patient is not pregnant before taking Cyproterone Acetate + Ethinylestradiol (ALTHEA). The patient should inform the healthcare provider if the patient has the following conditions before start taking Cyproterone Acetate + Ethinylestradiol (ALTHEA): Impaired liver functions or cholestasis; the Dubin-Johnson or Rotor syndromes; hepatic adenoma; estrogen-dependent neoplasms such as breast or endometrial cancer; cardiovascular disease including previous or current thromboembolic disorders or high risk of them, and arterial disease or multiple risk factors for it; disorders of lipid metabolism; undiagnosed vaginal bleeding; possible pregnancy; history during pregnancy of pruritus or cholestatic jaundice; chorea, herpes gestationis; pemphigoid gestationis; deteriorating otosclerosis; severe or focal migraine.

Cyproterone Acetate + Ethinylestradiol (ALTHEA) is not recommended for pregnant women.
Breastfeeding mothers should not take Cyproterone Acetate + Ethinylestradiol (ALTHEA). This can reduce the volume of breast milk. Breastfeeding women can use progestin-only pills.

Precautions of Althea Pills

Regular consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended while taking Cyproterone Acetate + Ethinylestradiol (ALTHEA). Inform the healthcare provider if the patient is suffering from the following conditions: history of clinical depression, gallbladder disease, sickle-cell disease, condition influenced by fluid retention, varicose veins, risk factor for cardiovascular disease (diabetes mellitus, smoking, obesity, hypertension, family history of cardiovascular disease).

Adverse Reactions of Althea Pills

The oral contraceptive pill is the most researched product in the history of modern medicine, and its safety has long been established. Some women may experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, chloasma (melasma), skin or hair changes, headache, water retention, slight weight change, breast tenderness, and changes in libido. Menstrual irregularities such as spotting, breakthrough bleeding or amenorrhea can occur during its use.

Drug Interactions of Althea Pills

Taking contraceptive pills with drugs that induce hepatic microsomal enzymes (e.g., carbamazepine, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, St. John’s Wort, topiramate, and rifampicin) may reduce the contraceptive efficacy and/or increase breakthrough bleeding.

Taking contraceptive pills with anti-infective drugs (e.g., ampicillin, neomycin, nitrofurantoin, penicillin V, sulfonamides and tetracyclines) may result in decreased contraceptive efficacy.
Taking contraceptive pills with troleandomycin may increase the risk of cholestatic jaundice and should be used cautiously.

Taking contraceptive pills with Ethinylestradiol and drugs or food that inhibit cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme 3A4 (CYP3A4) such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, grapefruit juice, itraconazole, ketoconazole, ritonavir may result in increased plasma concentrations of Ethinylestradiol and an increase in the incidence of adverse effects.
Taking contraceptive pills with analgesics, isoniazid, antimigraine drugs and tranquilizers may decrease contraceptive efficacy.
Taking contraceptive pills with alcohol may reduce the effectiveness of Cyproterone acetate.

Conclusion

Althea is a safe and effective combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) that can be used to prevent pregnancy, as well as to treat acne and hirsutism (excessive hair growth). It is a low-dose COCP, which means that it contains a relatively low amount of estrogen and progestin hormones. This makes it a good option for women who are sensitive to the side effects of higher-dose COCPs.

If you are considering taking Althea, be sure to talk to your doctor first. They can help you decide if Althea is the right contraceptive method for you and can answer any questions you have about its safety and effectiveness.

Here is a summary of the key points:

Althea is a safe and effective combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP).
It is used to prevent pregnancy, as well as to treat acne and hirsutism (excessive hair growth).
Althea is a low-dose COCP, which makes it a good option for women who are sensitive to the side effects of higher-dose COCPs.
The most common side effects of Althea are mild and go away on their own within a few weeks of starting the pill.
You should not take Althea if you have any of the following conditions: blood clots, stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, kidney disease, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, or vaginal bleeding of unknown cause.
Althea is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers.
You should not take Althea if you are trying to get pregnant.
If you miss a pill, take it as soon as you remember. If you miss more than one pill, contact your doctor for advice.
You can take Althea for as long as you need to. However, it is important to talk to your doctor regularly to make sure that Althea is still right for you.

Frequent Asked Questions about Althea Pills

How effective is Althea at preventing pregnancy?

Althea is very effective at preventing pregnancy when taken correctly. In fact, it is over 99% effective. However, it is important to note that no contraceptive method is 100% effective.

How long does it take for Althea to start working?

Althea starts working immediately after you take the first pill. However, it is important to take Althea for 7 days before it is fully effective at preventing pregnancy.

What are the common side effects of Althea?

The most common side effects of Althea are mild and go away on their own within a few weeks of starting the pill. These side effects may include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Breast tenderness
Headache
Mood swings
Breakthrough bleeding

Less common side effects of Althea may include:

Weight gain
Weight loss
Acne
Decreased sex drive
Vaginal discharge
Spotting between periods

If you experience any serious side effects while taking Althea, be sure to contact your doctor right away.

Who should not take Althea?

Althea is not right for everyone. You should not take Althea if you have any of the following conditions:

Blood clots
Stroke
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Liver disease
Kidney disease
Breast cancer
Endometrial cancer
Vaginal bleeding of unknown cause

You should also talk to your doctor before taking Althea if you are over the age of 35, smoke cigarettes, or have migraines.

Can I take Althea while breastfeeding?

Althea is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers. This is because Althea can reduce the amount of breast milk you produce.

Can I take Althea if I am trying to get pregnant?

You should not take Althea if you are trying to get pregnant. Althea works by preventing ovulation, so it will make it difficult for you to conceive.

How do I miss a pill?

If you miss a pill, take it as soon as you remember. If you miss more than one pill, contact your doctor for advice.

How long can I take Althea for?

You can take Althea for as long as you need to. However, it is important to talk to your doctor regularly to make sure that Althea is still right for you.

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