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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Georgina on October 16, 2000, at 15:55:13
I usually have very clear skin. I had to come off Paxil because of persistant acne on my face and a rash on my hand. I am now taking Effexor and for anxiety it is great but the acne is back and feels very bruised. If it breaks open it feels like a burn. Has anyone else had this kind of reaction. I live in the UK. I would have to wait about a year to see a dermatologist on the NHS. Privately it will cost a lot, so any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Georgina
Posted by Erinn on October 17, 2000, at 0:27:24
In reply to Effexor and acne?, posted by Georgina on October 16, 2000, at 15:55:13
I also usually have very clear skin but Effexor did give me acne for about three weeks when I first started taking it but it has cleared up now. How long have you been taking Effexor? Maybe when you adjust completely to it the acne will go away like mine did.
Posted by Georgina on October 17, 2000, at 8:15:23
In reply to Re: Effexor and acne?, posted by Erinn on October 17, 2000, at 0:27:24
> I also usually have very clear skin but Effexor did give me acne for about three weeks when I first started taking it but it has cleared up now. How long have you been taking Effexor? Maybe when you adjust completely to it the acne will go away like mine did.
Thanks for your reply. I've been taking Effexor for about 3 months. I'm just worried that the acne could scar and its very sore. I have the phone number and referal for a dermatologist. Maybe I should go ahead a see the doc.
Thanks once again.
Regards
Georgina
Posted by Mark H. on October 17, 2000, at 15:30:52
In reply to Effexor and acne?, posted by Georgina on October 16, 2000, at 15:55:13
Dear Georgina,
As a pediatrician I know likes to say, "Rashes are difficult." (Gee thanks, Doc!)
I have four totally unsubstantiated theories and absolutely no qualifications or data to back them up, so take the following only as the anecdotal ravings of a fellow sufferer:
1.) Most of the anti-depressants and adjunctives I have taken cause suppression of white (and sometimes red) blood cell counts. I would guess this means I am more susceptible to infection, including acne, when I'm taking these drugs. Does anyone reading this know if this is true?
2.) Effexor and the SSRIs all cause an increase in appetite, and my skin tends to break out more the more I eat, especially since I tend to crave things like ice cream, chocolate, cookies, pizza and other foods that aren't exactly nature's own when I'm on anti-depressants.
3.) I'm told that adult acne is often caused by an over-productions of androgens in the adrenal glands. Does anyone know whether Effexor and other ADs stimulate androgen production?
4.)Decades ago, I had a severe reaction to exposure to sun while taking a combo-tricyclic. Some meds apparently increase the possibility of interactions with sunlight to cause skin problems.
Some of the medications I have tried seem to affect my skin (and immune system in general?) more severely than others. Regardless of the underlying "reason," if I had your symptoms (especially the burning and bruised feeling) and I was reasonably sure it was being caused by (or in reaction to) my anti-depressant, I would want to try taking something else instead, rather than asking a dermatologist to try to fix the problem at the skin level. No one ever died from acne, as far as I know, but I always worry what's happening to my internal organs when my skin is distressed.
I hope you get additional advice from others who are more knowledgable about this!
Best wishes,
Mark H.
Posted by Georgina on October 20, 2000, at 5:03:25
In reply to Re: Effexor and acne?, posted by Mark H. on October 17, 2000, at 15:30:52
> Dear Georgina,
>
> As a pediatrician I know likes to say, "Rashes are difficult." (Gee thanks, Doc!)
>
> I have four totally unsubstantiated theories and absolutely no qualifications or data to back them up, so take the following only as the anecdotal ravings of a fellow sufferer:
>
> 1.) Most of the anti-depressants and adjunctives I have taken cause suppression of white (and sometimes red) blood cell counts. I would guess this means I am more susceptible to infection, including acne, when I'm taking these drugs. Does anyone reading this know if this is true?
>
> 2.) Effexor and the SSRIs all cause an increase in appetite, and my skin tends to break out more the more I eat, especially since I tend to crave things like ice cream, chocolate, cookies, pizza and other foods that aren't exactly nature's own when I'm on anti-depressants.
>> 3.) I'm told that adult acne is often caused by an over-productions of androgens in the adrenal glands. Does anyone know whether Effexor and other ADs stimulate androgen production?
>
> 4.)Decades ago, I had a severe reaction to exposure to sun while taking a combo-tricyclic. Some meds apparently increase the possibility of interactions with sunlight to cause skin problems.
>
> Some of the medications I have tried seem to affect my skin (and immune system in general?) more severely than others. Regardless of the underlying "reason," if I had your symptoms (especially the burning and bruised feeling) and I was reasonably sure it was being caused by (or in reaction to) my anti-depressant, I would want to try taking something else instead, rather than asking a dermatologist to try to fix the problem at the skin level. No one ever died from acne, as far as I know, but I always worry what's happening to my internal organs when my skin is distressed.
>
> I hope you get additional advice from others who are more knowledgable about this!
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Mark H.Mark,
Thanks very much. That was very helpful. Maybe I should try something herbal to help my body deal with the toxic effect of the Effexor. Friends keep telling me to try homeopathy instead of the Effexor. The thought of even risking being back where I was before taking these SSRI's fills me with dread. My friends have obviously never had an anxiety disorder!
Regards
Georgina
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