Does Lyrica Cause Acne?

by on 26. Feb, 2011 in Prescription Drugs

Lyrica is a prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. Although acne is not listed as a side effect of Lyrica, all drugs can potentially affect acne-related hormones.

Please tell us about your experience with Lyrica. Be accurate and honest. Thanks.

8 Responses to “Does Lyrica Cause Acne?”

  1. Ryan 10. Aug, 2011 at 4:09 am #

    I was prescribed Lyrica for my fibromyalgia pain. I noticed almost immediately after taking it that I started having breakouts on my face. In the beginning it was one or two pimples on my forehead. Now after being on the medication for about 3 – 3 1/2 months my entire face and neck are affected. I should say that prior to taking this medication I had very clear skin. I am only 29 so I still suffer from the occasional blemish here and there. Also I am a stay at home mom and wife and I know that stress and diet can have an effect on acne, however I have NEVER had any breakouts to the degree I am seeing now and the only new drug, food, drink, change in routine, etc. I have had has been the addition of Lyrica to the pain management of my fibromyalgia. As a side note I should mention that I am also on medication to manage rheumatoid arthritis. So I don’t know if the acne could be as a result of adding Lyrica to the list of medication I currently take. Has anyone else seen a change in their skin after taking Lyrica?

    Reply
  2. Laura 26. Oct, 2011 at 9:03 am #

    I know it has been a while since you posted this, but I just found it. I am so glad that I am not the only person that has noticed this. I thought it was my imagination or something for a while. I swear my face started breaking out almost immediately after starting Lyrica. I have just quit taking it as it had more negative side effects than it did helpful effects. I am curious to see how long it takes for my face to clear up.

    Reply
    • Notashia 28. Oct, 2011 at 6:27 am #

      I am having this problem as well, and I hope this helps both of you….I was fine on the Lyrica without breakouts as long as I was on PREDNISONE. Two months ago, I was weaned off the steroid, but left on the Lyrica, and I developed what I first thought were hives on my face and back. They itched and were driving me crazy so I concluded I was having an allergic reaction…..the fix….PREDNISONE…..it cleared up with a shot, but a few weeks later, it was back….I put myself back on the PREDNISONE, and it cleared up in a few days…I hope this helps both of you.

      Tashia

      Reply
  3. K 28. Oct, 2011 at 11:20 am #

    I am so glad I’m not the only one! I’ve been on Lyrica for 8 months now while I await spine surgery. I’m 27 with great skin but I’ve noticed significant and persistant breakouts on my face, chest and back. Glad to know I’m not alone but crappy as I will be on this stuff for a while!!

    Reply
  4. Bruce Johnson 18. Nov, 2011 at 1:50 pm #

    Great advice. Watching my sons battled acne problems for years they both finally conquered it by using Acnezine. A clinically tested, FDA approved, natural acne treatment which easily help them to prevent further acne breakouts and keep it off without any side effects!Natural Acne Treatment that Works

    Reply
  5. Amanda 04. Dec, 2011 at 10:43 am #

    Hi! I was very intrigued by the fact that my face broke out so horribly while taking Lyrica. I was on several medications at first, so I wasn’t sure which one it was. When I weaned off of all but Lyrica, my face did not clear up one bit. I am 24, so I know many would debate that as a factor; however, acne has NEVER been a problem. Especially not the severe type I was experiencing- deep, painful, large pustules (sorry to be graphic). Anyways, I tried several products over the years (4 years), and the ONLY product that cleared up my face entirely is Proactiv. It took about 3 months to really notice, and now, it’s been 10 months, and I have such a clear face again! I was really getting sick of it… The acne really plays on your psyche. (as if we don’t have enough problems!). I hope this helps!

    Reply
  6. Jen 07. May, 2012 at 12:38 pm #

    I also have fibromyalgia and I have been taking lyrica for about a month now. As soon as I started the lyrica my face has been getting acne! Before the Lyrica I did not have an acne problem. I am 48 years old, so age is not a factor regarding the acne. The lyrica has dramatically help my fibro symptoms….the only negative thing is the acne.

    Reply
  7. marcy 10. May, 2012 at 10:09 pm #

    HELLO, I TOO HAVE BEEN ON LYRICA FOR ABOUT6MONTHS NOW FOR MY FIBROMYALGIA. I DIDN’T NOTICE THE BREAKOUTS UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH INTO TAKING IT. IT SPREAD ALL OVER MY FACE, NECK, CHEST AND BACK. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON. PRIOR TO TAKING LYRICA I HAD N ACNE PROBLEMS @ ALL. IT GOT TO THE POINT TO WHERE I TOLD MY HUSBAND I DIDN’T EVEN WANT TO LEAVE THE HOUSE. SO MY MOTHER IS FROM PANAMA AND BACK WE USED FRESH ALOE PLANT TO CURE MANY THINGS. SHE TOLD ME ABOUT 3WKS AGO TO USE THE ALOE ON MY FACE, LEAVE IT ON FOR 15MIN. THEN RINSE IT OFF. ONLY USE IT @ NIGHT. SO I STARTED IT TONIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME, YES IT DOES BURN A BIT AND ITCH SOME, BUT AS I REMEMBER BACK HOME THAT IT REALLY DOES WORK. SO I WILL POST AGAIN IN A FEW DAYS TO GIVE YOU ALL MY RESULTS.

    HAVE A BLESSED ONE AND GOOD LUCK, I FEEL YOUR PAIN…

    Reply

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Question of the month. We'll switch this question every time we get 100 answers. Please don't answer unless you have a relatively strong opinion.





How to clear your skin (based on clinical studies, our visitors experiences, and our own research):



Vitamins / Supplements

With a meal, 3-4 times per day: 3 mgs of boron, Vitamin B Complex 50, 25-50 mgs of Zinc. Once per day, with a meal: Multi vitamin, Fish Oil (Not Cod Liver Oil), 2000 IUs of Vitamin D. This alone may end acne.

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Get outside during the day!

You need daylight to suppress melatonin so you can really crank it out at night. Stay in the shade, but you must see sky. 12+ hours is optimal, an hour in the am and at noon may work. No sunburns, sunglasses or hats!

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Fix your sleep cycle

Go to sleep at the same time every night. Ten o'clock is optimal. Sleep in complete darkness, and wake up without an alarm. 8.5+ hours is best. Try to keep your evening activities calm and in relative darkness. It is nearly impossible to improve acne without sleeping properly.

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Get your exercise

Workout for 30-60 minutes, 4-5 hours before bedtime, every day. Eat meat beforehand (within an hour). You are moving Tryptophan into the brain. Additional exercise is great, but never close to bedtime. Outdoor exercise is best. Make sure you work up a good sweat.

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Eat the right things

Eliminate gluten, dairy and processed foods altogether. Cut back on soy and sugars including fruit. Use unlimited extra virgin olive oil, but no soy / vegetable / other oils. Eat tomatoes cooked in olive oil (or tomato juice), carrots, and broccoli every day. Eat sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds before bedtime.

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Other Stuff

Wash only twice/day. Shave daily (men). Don't use topical products. Use jojoba oil or moisturizer only as necessary to avoid dry skin. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Relax. Life is good!

Don’t Do This!

Avoid kelp, too much iodine (iodized salt, sea salt is ok), alcohol, drugs, harsh topical medicines like benzoyl peroxide, over-washing, antibiotics, stimulants (ritalin,caffeine) within 10 hours of bedtime, sleep deprivation, sleeping with the light on, going to the bathroom in the middle of the night (drink less water at night!).

Do Your Best

If you have acne, chances are you are violating a lot of these rules. No one expects you to fix everything at once. Make changes as you can, experiment, and see what happens. Once your skin is great, you can add back in certain foods and lifestyles that are important to you. If something turns out to be a trigger, you'll figure it out pretty quick.