Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2004 Jul;13(7):427-36.

Venous thromboembolism associated with cyproterone acetate in combination with ethinyloestradiol (Dianette): observational studies using the UK General Practice Research Database.

Seaman HE,de Vries CS,Farmer RD.

Pharmacoepidemiology Unit, Postgraduate Medical School, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK. h.seaman@surrey. Ac.uk

Purpose:

To derive risk estimates for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in women prescribed cyproterone acetate combined with ethinyloestradiol (CPA/EE), a drug licensed in the UK for the treatment of women with acne or hirsutism. CPA/EE provides a treatment option for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). CPA/EE has been associated with an increased risk of VTE.

Methods:

Using the General Practice Research Database, we conducted cohort and case-control analyses in all women aged 15-39 and then nested in a population of women of the same age with acne, hirsutism or PCOS.

Results:

The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for VTE in women exposed to CPA/EE versus conventional combined oral contraceptives (COCs) was significantly raised (all women: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.22,2.88; nested: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.07,5.75). Using exposure to conventional COCs as the reference, the adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) for VTE associated with CPA/EE was 1.45 (95% CI: 0.80,2.64) in all women and 1.71 (95% CI: 0.31,9.49) in women with acne, hirsutism or PCOS.

Conclusions:

The risk of VTE associated with CPA/EE use does not differ significantly from that associated with the use of conventional COCs. These data are reassuring and together with knowledge of the risks associated with other treatments for acne, in particular, should influence prescribing practice.





See Also:

Hirsutism

Alopecia

Do you have an unanswered women's health question?

Please let us have your general question on our NEW FORUM / MESSAGE BOARDS facility and we will try to answer it for you. I am sure that you will appreciate that we cannot offer advice on the management of an individual's specific problem.

Women's Health

Women's Health Forum

Thank you for choosing to visit us.

This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London.

I do hope that you find the answers to your questions in the patient information and medical advice provided. If you still have unanswered questions, please consider entering them into one of our forums and I will try to assist you.

 Women's Health