Skin Problems? Check Your Medicine Cabinet

Often times women tell me they can't wear makeup. What I've found is that the ingredients in prescription meds they are taking are causing a reaction.
It's not that they can't wear makeup or stay on a skin care routine.

I've compiled a list, and this is in no way exhaustive, of many prescription drugs and their side effects related to skin.
AND THESE ARE JUST THE SIDE EFFECTS ON SKIN!

Aldara (Imiquimod) "skin cancer cream"
crusty black scab, bleeding, itching sores, skin tingling, more (see links!)

Caduet (Amlodipine Besylate, Atorvastatin Calcium) flushing, skin rash, Contact Dermatitis, Cystitis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome* (see below), clammy skin, dry skin, skin itching, skin photosensitivity

Elocon (Mometasone furoate) Acne-like pimples, allergic skin rash, boils, burning, damaged skin, dryness, excessive hairiness, infected hair follicles, infection of the skin, irritation, itching, light colored patches on skin, prickly heat, rash around the mouth, skin atrophy and wasting, softening of the skin, stretch marks, tingling or stinging

Exelderm (SULCONAZOLE) skin irritation, burning, stinging, itching or redness

Flector (diclofenac epolamine) itching, swelling, rash, burning sensation

FLUOCINONIDE (Fluonex, Lidex, Lidex-E, Lonide, and Lyderm) Severe itching, burning, or skin irritation Signs of infection such as redness, swelling, drainage, or pus. Mild, temporary stinging irritation, burning, redness or dryness of skin, raised spots on skin, thinning of skin or bruising, poor healing of skin, acne-like skin changes

GLEEVEC® (imatinib mesylate) skin blistering, rash, skin yellowing, skin becomes progressively thinner and more susceptible to bruising and tearing from even minor bumps

Levulan (AMINOLEVULINIC ACID SOLUTION) Skin tingling/stinging/burning or change in skin color, open skin sores (ulcers), bleeding

Lipitor (Atorvastatin) hives, itching, facial swelling, skin rash

Nystatin (Triamcinolone) burning or itching of the skin, dark red spots on the skin, loss of feeling on skin, painful, red, pus-filled blisters in hair follicles, skin infection, thinning of the skin or sunburn: more likely if applied to the face, dry or peeling skin, skin irritation

Protopic (Tacrolimus) skin cancer

Sunitinib (Sutent) causes several side effects in skin, including rash, hand foot skin reaction, dry skin, and pale/yellow skin.

Vaniqa (eflornithine hydrochloride) acne, stinging skin, burning skin, dry skin, itching, redness, tingling skin, skin irritation, rash, ingrown hair, facial edema

Zyloprim (Allopurinol) skin rash

Zyvox (Linezolid) skin rash, itching, skin bruising

Anti-Depressants:

Prozac (fluoxetine) Sweating, rash, itching, acne, alopecia, hives

Celexa (citalopram) Sweating, rash, itching, acne, alopecia, hives

Luvox (Fluvoxamine) Rash, sweating

Paxil (Paroxetine) Sweating, rash

Zoloft (sertraline) Increased sweating, rash, hot flashes

Desyrel (trazodone) Rash, hives, sweating, itching, photosensitivity

Effexor (venlafaxine) Ecchymosis, acne, alopecia, brittle nails, dry skin, photosensitivity

Wellbutrin/Zyban (Bupropion) Rash, itching, sweating

Tofranil (imipramine) Rash, hives, sweating, itching, photosensitivity

Anafranil/Norpramin (desipramine) Diaphoresis, photosensitivity

Asendin (amoxapine) Rash, hives, sweating, itching, photosensitivity

Elavil (amitriptyline) Rash, hives, sweating, itching, photosensitivity

Remeron (mirtazapine) Rash, hives, sweating, itching, photosensitivity

Parnate (tranylcypromine) Rash, flushing, increased perspiration

Nardil (phenelzine) Rash, flushing, increased perspiration

*Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a life-threatening skin disease that can cause rash, skin peeling, and sores on the mucous membranes. It has been classified as a severe expression of erythema multiforme (EM). Stevens-Johnson syndrome is an inflammatory disorder of the skin triggered by an allergic reaction to certain drugs including antibiotics, such as some sulfonamides, tetracycline, amoxicillin, and ampicillin. In some cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and anticonvulsants, such as Tegretol and phenobarbital have also been implicated.

Prescription Drug Side Effects Summary

Drug Injury WatchPrescription Drug Side Effects News and Information

Prescription for Disaster? Just heard that between 1997 and 2005 prescription drug use was up by some 90%. This upset me just a little bit. I understand that a good portion of that is because of the aging population and their dependence on painkillers as they grow older. However, I'm not a fan of prescription pills. In my opinion they lead to skin problems and when people tell me they can't use anything on their skin my first inclination is to ask them what prescriptions they're on. I often don't do that because I don't want to be nosy about people's medical conditions, so what I usually do is tell them that some prescription drugs have been known to cause skin problems, which is the absolute truth.
I hate to think that people are suffering through all the side effects of these pills and not taking care of their skin the way they should. It's a shame.