Common Medications That Can Cause Acne

Acne eruptions, one of the most commonly occurring skin problems today, can be caused by different kinds of factors – from dirt, oil, bacteria or even the weather. But what many people do not know is that acne can also be triggered by medications. Although medications are generally used to treat certain conditions, they can also produce undesirable side effects, such as acne.

Medications generally produce two kinds of acne-related side effects. It can either trigger an acne attack or it can aggravate an already existing condition. But nonetheless, both side effects can cause serious damage to the skin which should be treated immediately; or even better, avoided at all cost.

So if you want to prevent incidents like these from ever happening to you and your skin, read on and learn what medications and chemical treatments can lead to or aggravate acne problems.

Anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsant drugs are used to treat epileptic seizures. There are many types of anticonvulsant drugs and a lot of them can produce acne breakouts as a side effect. If this happens, do not in any way stop taking the medication. Instead, go to your doctor and ask for professional advice. Most of the time, medical professionals will prescribe other drugs to counter the side effect or give you an alternative anticonvulsant drug that will not trigger acne attacks.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids contain steroid hormones that are naturally produced by the body. However, they can sometimes cause pimple eruptions as well. The compound is produced and secreted by the body during stress. Corticosteroids can also increase sebum production. Both stress and the production of sebum are major triggers for acne attacks.

Disulfiram

Disulfiram can produce acute alcohol sensitivity and is therefore used as a common medication to treat alcoholism. Although this is considered as an effective solution to alcohol addition, it can produce side effects such as acne attacks. If you do experience this kind of skin condition, patients are highly advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Immunosuppressant

Immunosuppressant drugs are usually given to patients with newly transplanted organs. This is because the body’s immune system detects the transplanted organ as a foreign tissue and will naturally treat it as an invader. To prevent the body’s immune system from attacking the new organ, patients are prescribed to take immunosuppressant drugs. However, immunosuppressants can also reduce the body’s ability to defend its self from bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. And because the skin is considered to be the body’s very first line of defense against bacteria, infections such as acne attacks, become very common.

Isoniazid

Isoniazid is one of the most popular medications used for treating tuberculosis. Acne eruptions and skin rashes are some of the common side effects of the drug. Apart from that, patients have also reported of more serious conditions. Because of this, those who take the medication are very closely monitored by their physicians.

Thyroid medications

There are many kinds of thyroid medications, but certain groups of the drug have the ability to trigger acne eruptions. Thyroid medications are usually given to patients with goiter and hormonal problems. These drugs stimulate the organ to produce more thyroid hormones, which can trigger acne attacks in the process.

Systemic steroids

Systemic steroids are the synthetic versions of the body’s natural steroids. They are taken in as a supplement when the body fails to produce adequate amounts of the natural substance. Although they are also prescribed to cure certain skin problems, the use of systemic steroids can also trigger acne attacks.

Anabolic steroids

Anabolic steroids are mainly used by body builders to improve protein synthesis and muscle build-up. However, using the drug can also increase sebum production and make the skin more vulnerable to acne attacks. But it does not stop there, more serious side effects such as hypertension and liver disorders have also been reported.

Medications are generally prescribed to treat various medical conditions. However, there are some drugs that can cause undesirable side effects. So what should you do if you experience such side effects? Once you experience these side effects, go straight to your doctor for help.

Remember, one of the best ways to cure acne attacks is to go to straight to the root of the problem. So if you think that the medication that you are taking is what is causing your acne breakout, it is best to consult your doctor at once.