Dianette for acne - should I skip the seven-day break?

I started having problems with acne a few months ago, and I went to the doctor who suggested I try taking Dianette (a form of the pill especially good for clearing acne). I've been taking it about about two weeks now and as the point is coming up at which I should take a 7-day break, I was wondering if it might be better to skip this and go straight through to the next pack. Would this mean it might start working on my skin quicker, as more would get into my system, or would it not make a difference? I used to be on a different kind of pill and would skip the 7-day break every other month or so with no problems.

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Reply 1

FoeGeddaBowDeet

there's a reason they give you directions for use, and it ain't for ****s and giggles.

Reply 2

Skippo

I would take the seven day break. Dianette worked really well for my skin, stupid thing gave me awful migraines though so i had to stop taking it :mad:

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

HenvY

there's a reason they give you directions for use, and it ain't for ****s and giggles.

Actually, it's a pretty well-known fact that you don't NEED to take the seven-day break with the pill. The reason the pill works as it does is because when it was introduced (in the 60s) it was considered that women would be too freaked out to take a pill that stopped their periods altogether. So no, it may not be for "****s and giggles", as you put it, but it certainly isn't because it'll kill you if you keep taking it for those seven days.

I was told by my doctor that it's absolutely fine to run packs together if for some reason or another you don't want to have a period that month. I was just wondering if anyone knew if it might also help to clear up my skin quicker by doing this too.

Reply 4

Miss. B

you should take the break as it takes about 2-3 months for your body to adjust to it so skipping the break won't really make that much difference. I reckon if skipping the break got the results in a better way the doctors would advise but they don't! I was on dianette for 2 years and it was brill but you can't stay on it for a long time :s-smilie:

so now i'm on yasmin which is good as well.

Reply 5

Allthewayhome

Take the bloody break! There will be a reason for it! I find it highly irresponsible of you to even think of it.

When I was working in a chemist the amount of people ( young + old ) that did not take their meds was frightening:

" The doctor said im to get a new course of antibiotics " Joe Bloggs
" Did you take the last course? How was it (generic remark )? " Caring Chemist
" didn't finish it, they don't taste right (other rubbish reason ) " Joe bloggs
or
" well i tooks them for the first two days but I stop for two then continued "

This happens way to much!

Take the break. Make sure the pills are closed tight store them in a cool dry place away from a child's reach and have a nice day my dear!

Reply 6

IzzyWizzy

As far as I know, there is no reason to take a break, it's just because women felt more comfortable having a period every month. It's artificial bleeding.

Reply 7

emmings

Allthewayhome

Take the bloody break! There will be a reason for it! I find it highly irresponsible of you to even think of it.

I am assuming you are male; HenvY is definitely male and you will see that you are the only two who have advised that the OP does not take a break. Unless you are a doctor, can men please stop answering pill questions which they know nothing about.

While other users WITH EXPERIENCE OF DIANETTE seem to think that running the packs together will not speed up the acne process, there is no need for a break and all pill leaflets inform you that it is fine to run packets together to control your periods. Please don't post scare stories about completely unrelated medication.

Reply 8

monkeymayhem

Skippo

Dianette worked really well for my skin, stupid thing gave me awful migraines though so i had to stop taking it :mad:

Yeh same here, I had the migraines, kept feeling hungry and it messed up my peroids. So I decided id rather have a spots instead!!

Reply 9

Allthewayhome

I'm not out to scare anyone but if the the leaflet says you have to take the break then follow what it says or speak to a doctor but do not rely on another person's experience.
Everyone is different and though you may not have adverse effects, there is still the possibility.

Reply 10

Miss_Rachel

I'm on Dianette and have never run a pack together. Do if you want to but it's helped a lot with my skin and it didn't take that long to help. It's up to you really but I doubt it'd change your skin drastically :-)

Reply 11

loopymeg

Most GPs (and instruction packs) suggest to run no more than 3 packs together at once. Now, whether it's truely harmful or not I really don't know, but I can't imagine that it would make much difference to your acne by skipping the break. Therefore, I would suggest that you take the break regardless.

Reply 12

dancingqueen

I've just gone back on Dianette after a break from it and am running my 1st 2 packs together. Didn't do me any harm when I was on it before, used to do it all the time.

Reply 13

Allthewayhome

There was no harm to you but you can nnever fully know the effect on others.

Reply 14

Anonymous #1

Did anyone take Dianette and find it didn't work on their skin...just out of interest?

Reply 15

Sezkin

Well I've been given Dianette from the doctor, a few months ago because my face is suddenly all spotty :frown:

ARGH it used to be clear when I took antibiotics... but it came back again.

However, my mum is against dianette and hid it from me, she doesn't like risk affect it has - Bloody clots/heart attacks/strokes...

ARGH, I feel so low about my skin. It's horrible.

Reply 16

Miss_Rachel

Sezkin

However, my mum is against dianette and hid it from me, she doesn't like risk affect it has - Bloody clots/heart attacks/strokes...

But, if you're young, and don't smoke, all the risks are lowered loads... dianettes only bad if people in your family have had any of the things you mentioned, or your old, or you smoke...

Thats what my doc told me anyway *worried*

Reply 17

Hev456

I took Dianette for about 6 months because my skin was really bad, the pill takes about 6-8 months to really start working, regardless of running packs together. If you want to run packs, do it but don't make a habit of it - not sure myself of the side-effects of never having a 'break' but i reckon they tell you to have a bleed for a reason.

Reply 18

Anonymous #1

It takes 6-8 MONTHS to start working?! :frown:

Reply 19

Hev456

Anonymous

It takes 6-8 MONTHS to start working?! :frown:

Yeah sadly, although once it does you will be like 'wow, how did i get on without this?' - at the moment I'm off Dianette and only Microgynn 30 because my skin got so clear i didn't need Dianette anymore. Still got pretty clear skin now :smile: