I have been taking pregabalin for over a year to with my anxiety. I started on a low dose and eventually needed to take 600mg daily. When I was on this dose my skin started to get really bad acne (starting on my chin, moving to my cheeks, then nose and then my forehead). My doctor claimed that it couldn't be pregabalin but I knew that it was. I tried to wean myself off this drug but it has been extremely difficult. Does anyone else have this problem?
Does anyone have bad acne whilst taking pregabalin?
Question posted by Katieal on 31 Dec 2017
Last updated on 27 February 2019
4 Answers
ladystevo85
26 Feb 2019
I have been on pregabalin for a year now 300mg daily. My skin is awful. I have never had spot problems before. In fact I have always had the clearest skin and only had a single spot once or twice year. Since being on pregabalin my face has erupted and although it’s mainly around my mouth, chin and cheeks it’s moving upwards and I’m getting the off bits on my forehead.
I’m convinced it’s the pregabalin as I’ve never had any skin issues in my life till now and my other medications have been the same for years. Pregabalin has transformed my life and I don’t want to stop taking it. Is there anything that will help? Thank you for reading.
Katieal
27 Feb 2019
ladystevo85, you don’t say what you are taking pregabalin for so I’m not sure about what alternatives you could take. I do know from my experience that my skin kept getting worst whilst I was on this drug and it’s been almost a year since I stopped taking it and my skin is completely clear again. I think maybe you’ve got to weigh up how pregabalin has helped you and whether you’re willing to put up with bad skin.
Make sure you also talk to your doctor about alternative medication too though.
ladystevo85
27 Feb 2019
Hi There, thank you so much for responding to my message. I’m taking pregabalin for anxiety. I have borderline personality disorder so take other meds for my symptoms as there is no cure. I’m also starting therapy soon. I also take 80mg of propranolol and 375mg of venlafaxine.
I’m using a really heavy foundation to cover the spots at the moment but it’s so disheartening when you’ve never had spots before and then your face is covered.
Katieal
27 Feb 2019
That must be disheartening. Especially when you already have anxiety the last thing you need is bad skin to worry about too!!
Definitely speak to your doctor about it and see if they can recommend seeing a dermatologist if you aren’t prepared to come off of pregabalin.
I also found that my skin wasn’t as bad when I took the brand name Lyrica by the pharmaceuticals pfizer. This brand is the most expensive and a few years ago lots of other pharmaceuticals were allowed to sell their version of pregabalin at a much cheaper cost but the drugs have not been as fully tested as the Pfizer ones. So make sure you are getting the more expensive brand that has been properly tested. I’m not saying that this will clear up your skin but it might not be as bad.
Appleg8s
20 Dec 2018
I've only been on Lyrica 5 days. 50mg twice a day. Since starting Lyrica I have gotten bad acne all over my face including forehead (which I've never had before!) Even have it all over my back! (Also something I've never had before!) I'm in my late 30's. I even take Spironolactone for acne and it doesn't help AT ALL! I too am completely convinced it's from the Lyrica. I wish I could take the Lyrica WITHOUT getting acne!!
Katieal
29 Dec 2018
If you feel it’s definitely Lyrica that is causing the acne maybe speak to your doctor and ask to switch to a different medication. I was taking the drug for a year before my acne started and it kept getting worse until I stopped taking it. Now I have clear skin again.
You’ve only been taking Lyrica for such a short period of time so maybe stop taking it before your acne gets any worse. Check with your doctor first though.
mptonly
11 Aug 2018
I know this is an older post, but I am taking 50mgs a day of Lyrica. I just started this week and I have cystic acne all over my face in 3 days!!! I'm 60 years old and I didn't have acne like this when I was a teenager. No question in my mind it's the Lyrica!!!
Katieal
12 Aug 2018
I’m sorry to hear that this drug has caused acne for you too. Unfortunately, the acne does get worse. I don’t know why you are are taking this drug but maybe speak to your GP and try a different drug as you have only been taking it for such a short while. I have managed to come off this drug now and my skin has completely cleared up. I also found it to be a very hard drug to come off so would try alternatives if possible.
Good luck.
mptonly
12 Aug 2018
Hi. Thank you for responding. Neurologist prescribed it for neuropathic pain. It actually seems to be working a little. I couldn't tolerate Cymbalta so he switched to Lyrica. Did you find a medication that helped you? Btw, if you don't mind,when you write it was difficult to get off of, what did you experience?
Katieal
12 Aug 2018
I was taking it for anxiety. I had never taken medication for this before but due to a few liife changing experiences I started suffering from it. I was taking it for a year and a half and had gone up to a high dose of 600mg (the max. that you can take). For me, that was when the side effects started and even when I weaned off to a lower dose the side effects continued. Obviously, everyone reacts differently. When I was trying to wean off, each time I lowered my dose, my anxiety went up and it took a few weeks to stabilise. You are taking it for a different reason though so please don’t worry about what happened to me. From what I have learnt, everyone reacts differently and my GP said that some people can just lower their dose gradually with no side effects at all.
Katieal
12 Aug 2018
BTW I’m now not taking any medication.
mptonly
12 Aug 2018
Thank you for letting me know. Anxiety can be really paralyzing. I've had issues with it on & off over the years. Congratulations on being medication free!
chuck1957
31 Dec 2017
Katieal; I really don't see acne in the side effects but still a lot of skin problems. Mostly on the face. but just because it is not listed doe's not mean it can't be it. Are you taking any other medication that it could be causing your problems? But if you still can't get anywhere with this you should have your doctor refer you to a Dermatologist to see if they can do something about it. good luck to you I am sure it will work out
Katieal
1 Jan 2018
Thank you for your response. You're right that acne is not listed as a side effect... but it should be. I'm not on any other medication and when I've tried to wean myself off and gone down to 25mg my skin virtually clears up after around 2 days.
My doctor has even told me that it can't be pregabalin causing my skin to break out even when I've shown him photographic evidence of the difference in my skin when I'm a higher dose compared to a lower dose!!
Oh well I guess I will have to live with it until I can manage to wean myself off (which is also a nightmare to do)!!
Related topics
acne, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, pregabalin, dosage, skin
Further information
- Pregabalin uses and safety info
- Pregabalin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Pregabalin (detailed)
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