effexor and painful acne

[painful acne]

I have been taking effexor for nearly a year and since taking it, I have been experiencing almost constant acne on my chin area.  They are very red, sometimes sore and itchy... and last FOREVER.  When one goes, another appears.  they are very unsightly!  Is it medication related?  

[Lizzyloowho?]

I am not sure the answer to your question. I am not a doctor by any means! I struggled with acne throughout my teenage years, into my adult years. I did Accutane twice. I still have to be very careful with washing my face every night and taking good care of my skin (sitting here with a Proactiv mask on now!) I was on Effexor for two years, but never saw a correlation with breakouts. Honestly, Proactiv has been great in controlling my acne. Maybe you should give it a try! Just a thought...this is the first post from the "Acne" forum I have read.

[meffex]

I have been on a few anti-depressants starting with Celexa, Wellbutrin and now Effexor... I started on Effexor about a month ago and have since noticed the exact same symptoms of acne! My chin under my lip has been breaking out continuously and as soon as one acne blemish is clearing up another whitehead comes! I have also developed acne on my back/shoulders with some very large pimples that just wont seem to go away.  I noticed a similar affect with Wellbutrin but mainly just on my back/shoulders nowhere near as bad as with Effexor.  I was on accutane in my teenage years which helped clear up my acne significantly.  Interistingly accutane had a side affect of depression.  I am now 29, depressed and have acne again! I haven't seen a positive effect with my depression on this drug and will be tapering off the medication and try something different because of these embarassing acne side effects and no impact the drug is having on me positively...

[loiloi]

Hi. This is really interesting. Research shows that, not suprisingly, those of us with acne and rosacea are more prone to depression and anxiety. I was prescribed Venlafaxine (Effexor) to help me deal with the anxiety and social phobia I felt due to my acne. It has really helped me, and not increased my acne. Acne is not mentioned as a potential side effect of Effexor in the leaflet enclosed with the pills.
DO NOT stop taking Effexor suddenly because serious withdrawal symptoms may occur. I have reduced from 150mg daily to 75mg and I'm now on 37.5mg.
See your doctor for a suitable acne medication. Oral antibiotics can be helpful. I wouldn't take Erythromycin whilst on Effexor as it may affect the way your medicine passes through your body. Ask your doctor about Oxytetracycline or Lymecycline instead.
If you would like a topical remedy ask your doctor about Differin. This is a synthetic retinoid which is generally well tolerated on the skin.
Female patients with acne will benefit from the oestrogen content of a combined oral contraceptive pill like Yasmin or Diane35. Female patients taking Venlafaxine should also take birth control as Venlafaxine may harm an unborn baby.
Eloise.

[MerryKat]

I developed very painful nodular/cystic acne after being on Effexor for a few months.  I took Effexor for several years.  No doctor knew this could be a side effect.  After many dermatology appointments over several years with different doctors, many RX's for acne treatment, plus special gels, ointments, face cleansers, etc prescribed by the dermatologists, I found no relief from this acne condition, I then found sites online describing this same problem among Effexor users.  I weaned off the Effexor and my skin cleared rapidly!  I was left with pits and scars on my face and neck from the years of severe acne caused by the Effexor.  I changed nothing else in terms of medications, diet or skin care.  I stopped taking the Effexor and my skin cleared.  If I had known this was a side effect, I would never have taken Effexor.  My face is scarred forever.  Not something that easy to live with as many other medications were and are available for treatment of depression; ones that do not cause this type of severe acne in so many users.

[loiloi]

Hi. Thank-you for your post. I cleared my acne scarring with microdermabrasion (see pictures in my profile). Laser treatments and chemical peels can also be effective.
Fortunately Effexor did not make my acne worse, especially as I was prescribed it for the psychological distress and social phobia associated with acne.
There are other drugs to treat depression and Effexor should not be a first line treatment, but it can help people for whom SSRI anti-depressants such as Prozac are ineffective.
Eloise.

[LadyJane1985]

I am relieved to read that I may not be the only one with this horrid acne! I just started taking Effexor XR in march/april 2009. I had stopped taking seasonique in November 2008. I had assumed that my initial acne was due to going off of the birth control. But as time passed my acne has gotten more severe, consistent, and painful! I had always had very clear skin after my early teen years with the exception of blackheads. I definately am going to talk to my Dr. about it!.

Thanks!
Katy