[Passion222]

Hi guys. Sorry I haven't been around. Been having "bad moments" and haven't wanted to be in touch with anyone. I'm breaking out like crazy and not sure if its stress or that my Lamictal was upped to 250mg a week ago. I'm so upset about the acne. Sure I'm not helping it stressing. Does anyone have this side effect with Lamictal?

Yes. I broke out with acne on the right side of my face, Passion222, and there was nothing that a dermatologist could do that would correct it until I requested to drop Lamictal from my med schedule. (I was taking 15 mg; that's how sensitive some of us can be to these psychotropic medications.)

Be sure that it's acne, though.

There is a syndrome that can occur during the early intake of Lamictal, but since you're on 250 mgs., I doubt that's what's happening.

Anyway, you need to discuss with your psychiatrist an alternative for you since you're developing acne.

(By the way, it's all over the internet that this is happening to some people taking Lamictal. It's a shame, too, because Lamictal is an excellent medication.)

Genetic

P.S. It cleared up once I dropped the Lamictal.

[hamster-bamster]

I never had any side effects on Lamictal. It did not help against anything, either. I have acne because of Lithium, but nightly applications of Tazorac control break-outs 100%. I stay wrinkle-free, to boot. Much recommended.

[Sadguy7]

I started lamictal a week ago, why did I read this
My face is the best thing about me ATM...please tell me you had some bad tuna or something and it made u break out.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Sadguy7

I started lamictal a week ago, why did I read this
My face is the best thing about me ATM...please tell me you had some bad tuna or something and it made u break out.

I think those stories - chocolate or bad tuna causing breakouts - are old wives' tales.

[~Christina]

I have no acne side effects from Lamictal at all ..

When I started Lithium I had a few breakouts but they tapered off

Originally Posted by Sadguy7

I started lamictal a week ago, why did I read this
My face is the best thing about me ATM...please tell me you had some bad tuna or something and it made u break out.

________________________________

Sadguy, not all people who take Lamictal break out with acne. It's a
sensitivity that only some have who take Lamictal. Don't worry, your
physician will help you if it occurs for you. And Lamictal isn't the only
medication out there that will help with bipolar disorder. There are
others that are effective.

Try not to worry; just keep your face clean and use an astrigent if you
need to after cleaning. Chances are you'll be fine.

Genetic

Originally Posted by morethingswrong

I have no acne side effects from Lamictal at all ..

When I started Lithium I had a few breakouts but they tapered off

____________________________

I had the same thing Morethingswrong, and my dermatologist told me that
Lithium will do that. (It also has the capacity to close the tiny arteries in the kidneys, and there's nothing doctors can do about that---my nephrologist asked me to stop taking it, so I did; some damage had been done, but it eventually cleared up.)

Lithium is still the benchmark for treatment of bipolar disorder, however.

Genetic

[hamster-bamster]

I would recommend Benzoyl Peroxide OTC. In some people, it happens to work by itself. In others, it boosts the effectiveness of prescription treatments such as Tazorac. Use only once a day (the face should never be washed more than once a day, and if you take a shower, apply Benzoyl Peroxide in the shower). I have been told that Benzoyl Peroxide bleaches colorful towels, but I have not seen it happen in reality.

[Passion222]

Sadguy7. I've been taking for over a year. This is my first breakout. Hoping its stress. Wish it was bad tuna. Does anyone know if it can come in suddenly after being in so long? I had acne years ago and use Tazorac and clindamycin and a benzoyl peroxide RX face wash. All from dermotologist. Was gonna call him tomorrow cuz it's been under control until recently. I AM under a ton of stress and feeling depressed and manic. Wondering if that's contributing too this stinks cuz Lamictal works well and my skin has finally been clear for a king time until now. Ugh.

[Passion222]

Sorry for typos. On iPhone

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Passion222

Sadguy7. I've been taking for over a year. This is my first breakout. Hoping its stress. Wish it was bad tuna. Does anyone know if it can come in suddenly after being in so long? I had acne years ago and use Tazorac and clindamycin and a benzoyl peroxide RX face wash. All from dermotologist. Was gonna call him tomorrow cuz it's been under control until recently. I AM under a ton of stress and feeling depressed and manic. Wondering if that's contributing too this stinks cuz Lamictal works well and my skin has finally been clear for a king time until now. Ugh.

Who cares what is causing it? You need to go back to Tazorac any which way. Maybe not necessarily the AB, but Tazorac for sure.

[Passion222]

Genetic it's mostly in left side if my face. Where I had horrible acne years ago and some scarring. Had peels done to help with scars and here I am broken out again and feeling like I'm back at the beginning

[Passion222]

I started it hamster bamster. Hoping it kicks in soon. Do like the little peels it does. I have the crazy red face right now from rubbing it on like the nut I already am

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Passion222

Genetic it's mostly in left side if my face. Where I had horrible acne years ago and some scarring. Had peels done to help with scars and here I am broken out again and feeling like I'm back at the beginning

Tazorac helps to even out old scars with regular use as well. Other than being pregnant which you are not, not having insurance (it costs $300 though I must say it lasts very long) or having extreme skin sensitivity which you do not report at all, I see absolutely no reason for a 40-y-o woman not to use Tazorac nightly ALWAYS, regardless of acne. It seems to be really simple to me: if there is a proven wrinkle prevention method, why would you NOT use it, acne or not? Since you had a dermatologist who could refill your Tazorac, why did you stop using it? I am surprised the dermatologist advised you to stop. Even if I were to stop Lithium, which I won't do unless there are some medical indications for it when I am old, I would continue to use Tazorac nonetheless. And it is much more effective than the older (similar) treatment, Retin-A.

Please talk to your psychiatrist, Passion222. He may have some other suggestions for you. If he recommends that you remain on Lamictal and see a dermatologist, you may find that if it is prescribed, the benzol-peroxide will help.

In my case, a young (recently-graduated Texas dermatologist last year) prescribed Retinol A and advised against use of Benzol-peroxide 10% because of the drying effect that can cause breakouts of a different kind with those who have extremely sensitive skin and sensitivity to medications.

If you were born with the right genes for good skin, you'll be fine. It's those of us who have these extreme sensitivities who have to practically treat ourselves sometimes for these somewhat unusual reactions to meds.

(One of the most effective things I did for myself was to switch from refined salt to unrefined Himalayan sea salt which contains many minerals that are missing in U.S. refined salt.) My skin was the first thing that benefitted most from the use of unrefined sea salt--I even diluted a teaspoonful in hot water and washed my face with it. It was really all I needed, frankly. My skin improved 100% and much faster than using Retinol A.

Of course, I'm not a doctor and can't diagnose or prescribe, but I am permitted to tell you what worked for me. (I always use Himalayan, French, or Hawaiian unrefined salt in my diet--when I use salt at all.)

Take heart; you will be fine with proper treatment and time (and maybe a change of medication).

Genetic

[Clinte89]

Have the same thing from it. It sucks. Hope you find something that helps with the acne.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Passion222

I started it hamster bamster. Hoping it kicks in soon. Do like the little peels it does. I have the crazy red face right now from rubbing it on like the nut I already am

It will take a little while to kick in, have some patience! Since you have used Benzoyl Peroxide in the past successfully, I would use it again. Maybe between it and Tazorac you can avoid the AB.

[IgnoranceIsBliss:):]

I recently stated Lamictal and recently moved to the 100mg, I have been breaking out a lot too! I'm glad you posted this thread, I didn't realize the Lamictal might be the cause, I thought it was just stress. Probably a combination of both actually.

[Passion222]

Hamster I always had it just forget I do. My insurance pays too thank God. I'm out of clindamycin right now. My kids hog it. ESP my 14 yr old as she's breaking out like crazy. Believe me that Tazorac has been going on for days now :-)))))

[Passion222]

I'm just shocked it started all of a sudden. Maybe like you said Hamster Bamster, maybe I just gotta be on top of that Tazorac. I did stop BC pill four months ago. Think the pill helped with breakouts a lot

[Crazy cat lady]

I didn't realize until I read this that my acne is probably caused by Lamictal as well! I'm up to 300mg at night. I think there is a combo of stress involved, though. But I wash my face every day when I shower and I have the Aveeno lotion that is supposed to have the benzyl in it. And I still have breakouts on my face, and constant bumps around my mouth and chin. My face it getting super oily also. Don't know if that's also from the med, but I feel like a teenager again with all this acne! I see a dr today, so I'm going to mention that to them.

[Passion222]

I just said the teenager thing to some people today. Face is so oily I can fry a egg on it. Very frustrating. If you look up Lamictal and acne online,alot comes up - thinking this med isn't going to work anymore