What are Althea pills?
Althea is a combined oral contraceptive pill containing two active ingredients: Cyproterone Acetate (2mg) and Ethinylestradiol (35mcg).
It is a prescription medication available in the Philippines, and it does more than one job.
Most people know Althea as a birth control pill. It is also one of the more commonly prescribed options for women dealing with hormonal acne, hirsutism (excess hair growth), PCOS-related symptoms, painful or heavy periods, and premenstrual tension.
That combination of uses is what makes it worth understanding properly — because the right use depends on your specific situation and a conversation with your doctor.
What Althea pills are used for
Contraception
Althea works as a combined oral contraceptive, preventing pregnancy through a combination of mechanisms: suppressing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to block sperm, and thinning the uterine lining.
Like all oral contraceptives, effectiveness depends on consistent, correct use. Taken as directed, combined pills are over 99% effective.
Hormonal acne and hirsutism
This is where Althea stands apart from many other contraceptive pills. Cyproterone acetate is an anti-androgen — it works by blocking the effects of male hormones, or androgens, like testosterone that can cause acne and excess hair growth in women.
For women with hormonal acne that has not responded well to topical treatments, or who have elevated androgens — common in PCOS — Althea can address the hormonal root cause rather than just the surface symptoms.
Menstrual regulation
Althea can help regulate irregular cycles, reduce heavy menstrual bleeding, relieve menstrual pain, also known as dysmenorrhea, and ease premenstrual tension.
For women whose periods are unpredictable or significantly disruptive, this is often as valuable as the contraceptive effect.
How to take Althea Pills
Each pack contains 21 pills. The standard schedule is:
- Start on the first day of your menstrual period — this gives immediate contraceptive protection. Alternatively, you can start any day as long as you are not pregnant, but use a backup method, like condoms, for the first 7 days.
- Take one pill daily at the same time each day, following the arrows on the pack. Taking it with a meal or before bed makes it easier to build the habit.
- After 21 days, take a 7-day pill-free break. Your period will most likely occur during these days.
- Start the next pack after the 7-day break, regardless of whether your period has finished.
If you miss a pill: Take it as soon as you remember, within 12 hours of the usual time. If more than 12 hours have passed, take it anyway but use a backup method for the next 7 days.
Important: Vomiting within 2 hours of taking a pill, or prolonged diarrhea, can affect absorption. Follow missed-pill guidance if this happens.
What to expect when starting
The first one to three months are an adjustment period. Common side effects as your body adapts include:
- Nausea, which may improve by taking the pill at night with food
- Breast tenderness
- Headache
- Mood changes
- Spotting or light bleeding between periods
These typically settle as your cycle adjusts. If they persist beyond three months or significantly affect daily life, discuss with your doctor — there may be a better-suited formulation for you.
Serious side effects are rare but include blood clots and liver issues. Seek medical attention if you experience sudden leg pain or swelling, chest pain, severe headache, vision changes, or yellowing of the skin.
Who should not take Althea
Althea is a prescription medication, and there are situations where it is not appropriate. Your doctor will screen for these, but it is worth knowing:
- A history of blood clots, including DVT or pulmonary embolism
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Migraines with aura
- Liver disease or liver tumors
- Current or suspected pregnancy
- Breast cancer or hormone-sensitive cancers
- Smoking in women over 35
This is also why a doctor’s consultation before starting — or before continuing — Althea is important, not just for getting the prescription but for ensuring it is the right fit for your health profile.
Althea vs. other pills: is it the right one for you?
Not all contraceptive pills are the same. Althea is specifically formulated with an anti-androgen component, which makes it particularly useful for women with hormonal concerns — acne, hirsutism, PCOS.
If your primary goal is contraception without hormonal symptoms, a different formulation may be equally effective and simpler.
The right pill depends on your medical history, your goals, and how your body responds. An OBGYN consultation is the most reliable way to navigate this — not just for the initial prescription, but for follow-up if something is not working.
Where to get Althea pills in the Philippines
Althea requires a valid doctor’s prescription. You can get this through an OBGYN consultation, after which the prescription can be used to purchase Althea through Hati Health’s online pharmacy.
Althea Cyproterone Acetate / Ethinylestradiol – 21 Tablets
Available via Hati Health with a valid prescription.
If you do not yet have a prescription, an OBGYN consultation through Hati Health is the right first step — your doctor can assess whether Althea is appropriate for you and issue a prescription in the same appointment.
Starting at ₱650, compared with ₱850 standard — save 24%.
OBGYN
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a prescription for Althea Pills in the Philippines?
Yes. Althea is a prescription-only medication. A valid doctor’s prescription is required to purchase it.
Can Althea Pills help with acne?
Yes — specifically hormonal acne. The cyproterone acetate component is an anti-androgen that addresses one of the root hormonal causes of acne in women. Results typically become visible after 2–3 months of consistent use.
Can Althea help with PCOS?
Althea can help manage some PCOS symptoms — particularly hormonal acne, irregular periods, and hirsutism — by reducing androgen activity. It does not treat the underlying condition. An OBGYN can advise on whether it is appropriate as part of your PCOS management plan.
How long does it take for Althea to work for acne?
Most women see improvement in hormonal acne after 2–3 months of consistent use. Full results are usually visible by the 4–6 month mark.
Will Althea cause weight gain?
Weight changes are not a consistently documented effect of Althea. Some women report minor changes in the early months, but this varies individually. Discuss any concerns with your doctor.
What happens when I stop taking Althea?
Fertility typically returns within one to three months of stopping. If you were taking Althea for acne or hormonal symptoms, those symptoms may return once the pill is discontinued — your doctor can advise on next steps.
Can I buy Althea online in the Philippines?
Through Hati Health, yes — with a valid prescription. If you need a prescription, book an OBGYN consultation first.
A note on starting or switching pills
Whether you are considering Althea for the first time, switching from another pill, or restarting after a break, an OBGYN consultation is always the right move before doing so.
Your health history, current medications, and goals all affect which formulation is appropriate — and a 30-minute consultation is a much better foundation than trial and error.
Hati Health’s OBGYN consultations are available online and in-clinic, starting at ₱650.
Hati Health is a digital health marketplace connecting patients to diagnostics, consultations, vaccines, and more across 160+ partner clinic and lab locations nationwide. Althea Pills are available via prescription through the Hati Health online pharmacy.
