Wednesday, August 27, 2008 Rhonda asks

Q: Prestiq, Lamictal, Abilify, Lexapro, Daytrana. Do any of these cause ACNE?

For the last 8 years I've suffered from treatment resistent depression, IED, ADD and various other forms of mental illness. I'm fortunate to have a doctor that never gave up on me and continued to try many different combinations of medications until we found one that worked. At this point, although I'm doing well emotionally, I've developed ACNE...I've never had acne, even as a teenager, so I really believe that one or more of the medications are causing it.

I've used every acne product from Proactiv to Obagi but none of them have helped.

I haven't received much information from my doctor with regard to this so I'd really appreciate some outside feedback or advice!!!

Thanks SO MUCH!!!

Answers (4)

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Merely Me

8/28/08 2:51pm

Hey Rhonda!

I was interested in researching your question because I suffer from both depression and acne as well. My search yielded that: "Acne can be a side effect of drugs including tranquilizers, antidepressants, antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and anabolic steroids." And in reading some message boards as well, it seems there are quite a few folk finding the same correlation between taking antidepressants and getting acne.

I would say that anything which changes your chemical balance and/or hormones could affect your skin.

Have you been to a dermatologist? I am using Rosula wash and Tazorac cream for my acne and it has been like night and day. This combination has worked for me but everyone is different so something else might work better for you.

I feel for ya. It is bad enough to have depression but add zits too, it is an insult to injury. Thanks for your question. Please let us know if you find something that helps.

Lindasivyer-foley

10/15/08 1:27am

My daughter who is 20 has always had beautiful skin. She has always had regular facials and used all of the top cosmetics like proactiv, murad, dermologicia and many other great products. We are going to a dermatologists tomorrow and the only new thing she has started approx 6 months ago is abilify. I think this might be the problem? We might have to re-evaluate this medication. She has been on several other anti-depressive meds and has not had this reaction. Hope this helps!

david

10/16/09 4:20pm

i too have acne and never had it b4 on lemictal and abilify i have what appear to be huge acne pimples and i have never had these problems before

Brookelynfd

11/24/09 1:48pm

Lamical can cause severe acne around the jawline and throat area. Here is a forum I found where people discuss how acne started to form when taking Lamical.

http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/

Im dealing with the same issue. Ive been off Lamical for about a week and a half now and have seen approvement. Unfortunately the acne I got while on Lamical has caused a lot of scarring to my skin so it might be several months before I see a full recovery.

Q: Prestiq, Lamictal, Abilify, Lexapro, Daytrana. Do any of these cause ACNE?

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