Prednisone Acne

Way more likely to be the Prednisone. How long were you on it? It takes a couple months for the pred side-effects to build up. I've done the full prednisone routine four times now, and usually I would start to see the acne some time during month two. Most likely that side-effect just barely started to kick in as you were coming off of it. Fro me it took up to two months after my last dose for the acne to go away.

I'm currently on Remicade and have had no skin issues from it. No acne whatsoever.

Hey Spartan,

I had the exact same issue you're now dealing with. I've gotten really bad acne flairs EACH time within a short while of discontinuing prednisone, though my skin always looked great while I was on it. I asked a few docs about this and while many people do get acne while taking pred, turns out some of us (like you and me it seems) experience the reverse. It's not uncommon and it's due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the drug.

Your skin should settle down after a while (a few months in my case) such that you're back to your pre-post prednisone skin. :o) In the meantime, the standard topicals have worked for me for post-pred acne. I've been struggling with acne for the past few years (hormone related), but started on spiro about 3 months ago and my skin looks great now. Yippie!

Give your hormones a bit of time to adjust.. It's probably a sign that your adrenal glands are working on their own now and your body is adjusting.. I would say that it's a good sign, unfortunately lol

I know it's hard to hear, but if it's just a reaction from the medrol, then you just have to have patience. It can take up to two or three months for the acne to go away.

However, if you struggle with acne in general and it has just been made worse by the medrol, then I have one question for you: what gender are you? LOL.

I have a crap-ton of experience with adult acne: I had absolutely horrendous cystic acne as a teen, and a lot of it followed me into adulthood. I tried pretty much everything out there, both over-the-counter and prescription, but the one thing that always worked best for me was birth control pills. Not all of them work - there are only certain ones that will control acne, and some better than others. But the one I'm on right now works like MAGIC. I get *maybe* one very small blemish a couple days before I start my period, but other than that not a single zit EVER. Even if I go days without washing my face. It's amazing.

The other benefit to the pill is that since my period used to wreak absolute havoc on my UC symptoms, I got a pill that is meant to reduce both the frequency and intensity of my period. So now I only menstruate every three months, and when I do it is very light, only lasts about three maybe four days, and I have pretty much no PMS or menstruation effects like bloating or cramping.

Pretty sweet deal if you ask me! I would be on this pill even if I never had sex again in my life.

I have used spiro for my acne. That and birth control pills are the only thing that keep mine in check. It's a bizarre situation and its very frustrating because I hate taknig pills. When I had just gotten off pred, I was using spiro to try to curb my ance and it didn't work as good. Eventually i had to start taking different birth control pills to get it under control. Now it's pretty clear but not perfect by any means.

I am pretty sure you can't use spiro while pregnant. Definitely consult your OB.

bootstrap said...
Way more likely to be the Prednisone. How long were you on it? It takes a couple months for the pred side-effects to build up. I've done the full prednisone routine four times now, and usually I would start to see the acne some time during month two. Most likely that side-effect just barely started to kick in as you were coming off of it. Fro me it took up to two months after my last dose for the acne to go away.

I'm currently on Remicade and have had no skin issues from it. No acne whatsoever.

I agree with this. It is highly unlikely that it is the Remicade. If it is the prednisone, then the good news is that it will pass.

UC_Spartan, as far as short-term treatment goes, perhaps more frequent showering might be useful as well as some over-the-counter acne treatments? Some drug-store products have salycilic acid (sp?) is memory serves me well that are moderately effective in drying out your skin, reducing oil that feeds the acne. Perhaps there are also some effective anti-bacterial washes you can use, as well. I think will be fine before you know it.