OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising consumers of important information about the use of the prescription drug DIANE-35. Berlex and Health Canada reached an agreement on a new version of the Product Monograph. DIANE-35 is used for the treatment of women suffering from pronounced forms of acne. The drug should not be promoted nor used as a method of birth control.
The new patient package insert includes the following information:
DIANE-35, as with all estrogen/progestogen combinations must not be used in women with thrombophlebitis, thromboembolic disorders (blood clots), or a history of these conditions.
DIANE-35 users appear to have an elevated risk of blood clots compared to users of combination oral contraceptives in some published studies.
DIANE-35 should not be prescribed for the purpose of birth control alone.
Oral contraceptives should not be taken during treatment with DIANE-35.
DIANE-35 should be discontinued 3 to 4 months after signs of acne have completely resolved.
Consumers should be aware that cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious adverse effects on the heart and blood vessels from DIANE-35 use. This risk increases with age and heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes a day) and is more marked in women over 35-years of age. Women who use estrogen/progestogen combinations should not smoke.
Patients should inform their doctor if they have or have had blood clots in the legs, lungs, eyes or elsewhere, or a stroke, heart attack, or chest pain.
The identification, characterization, and management of marketed health product-related adverse reactions are dependent on the active participation of health care professionals in adverse reaction reporting programmes. Any occurrences of thromboembolic disorders (blood clots) or other serious and/or unexpected adverse reactions in patients receiving DIANE-35® should be reported to Health Canada at the following address
Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program (CADRMP)
Marketed Health Products Directorate
HEALTH CANADA
Address Locator: 0701C
OTTAWA, Ontario, K1A 0K9
Tel: (613) 957-0337 or Fax: (613) 957-0335
To report an Adverse Reaction, consumers and health professionals may call toll free:
Tel: 866 234-2345
Fax: 866 678-6789 cadrmp@hc-sc.gc.ca
For other inquiries: please refer to contact information.
The AR Reporting Form and the AR Guidelines can be found on the Health Canada web site or in The Canadian Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties.
I was on Diane-35 and I saw that notice a while ago...it kind of freaked me out. I just went off Diane-35 and have started on Cyclen (Ortho-Cyclen). So, far, so good on the Cyclen. I've been on it for about 6 weeks now and I am quite pleased.
Thank you for posting this- my doctor in Canada keeps me up to date, but I've been here for nearly a year now and didn't know new information had been posted. I'm going to look for an endo that will help me re-evaluate using Diane-35 when I get back (I've been on it over 4 years so it may be time for a change). My current endo told me to come back when I want to get pregnant so hopefully his office can recommend another endo who knows something about PCOS.
Health Canada advises consumers of new warning For DIANE-35 
