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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
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Pharmacy and Medications |
Can lithium cause acne08/09/2006 |
One of my best friends recently confided in me that for three years after her divorce she was on a host of anti-depressants, one she took the entier three years was Lithium. She now has chronic skin problems including acne on her face and back. She had perfect skin prior to this. which drug might have caused this and might it be hormone related? she is 26. Is there a safe and natural way to get out whatever is in her system that may be casuing this? She has not taken any of these meds for over a year.
Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when pores on the face, neck, chest, or back become plugged forming a comedone. Comedones can be open (blackheads) or closed (whiteheads). Bacteria can become trapped in the comedone causing redness, swelling, pus filled bumps, or cysts. Although the underlying mechanism is not completely understood, experts believe that this process is primarily driven by increased androgen levels (male hormones that exist in both male and females) which lead to over production of oil (sebum) in the hair follicle. Severity of the disease can range from mild to severe with permanent scarring.Causes of acne include hormonal changes, as experienced during puberty or pregnancy, and some drugs. Acne can also be a symptom of an underlying disease such as, hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, diabetes, or polycystic ovary syndrome. Events that do not cause but can trigger acne outbreaks include; stress, skin scrubbing, pressing on or picking at the skin, high humidity, and menstruation. There a many effective treatment options available for the disease. Treatment choices will vary and are usually determined based on the history, underlying cause, and severity of the disease.
Lithium (Eskalith®, Lithonate®, Lithan®, and Lithotabs®) is a drug often used to treat mood disorders such as depression and bi-polar disorder. Acne is a listed side effect of lithium. However, lithium related acne differs from common acne because it lacks the presence of comedones (whiteheads or blackheads), which are found in common acne.
A physician can evaluate your friend's skin condition and determine its cause. She may need to see a dermatologist. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diseases of the skin. It is important to provide all health care providers with a complete medical history including all current and past medications. This will aid the physician in determining the cause and appropriate course of treatment.
This response was prepared by Sherri Heiman, a Pharmacy Student at the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy .
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Robert James Goetz, PharmD, DABAT Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice Drug and Poison Information Center Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center University of Cincinnati |
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