Does Lyrica Cause Acne?

Lyrica is a prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. Although acne is not listed as a side effect of Lyrica, all drugs can potentially affect acne-related hormones.

Please tell us about your experience with Lyrica. Be accurate and honest. Thanks.

44 Replies to “Does Lyrica Cause Acne?”

  1. I was prescribed Lyrica for my fibromyalgia pain. I noticed almost immediately after taking it that I started having breakouts on my face. In the beginning it was one or two pimples on my forehead. Now after being on the medication for about 3 – 3 1/2 months my entire face and neck are affected. I should say that prior to taking this medication I had very clear skin. I am only 29 so I still suffer from the occasional blemish here and there. Also I am a stay at home mom and wife and I know that stress and diet can have an effect on acne, however I have NEVER had any breakouts to the degree I am seeing now and the only new drug, food, drink, change in routine, etc. I have had has been the addition of Lyrica to the pain management of my fibromyalgia. As a side note I should mention that I am also on medication to manage rheumatoid arthritis. So I don’t know if the acne could be as a result of adding Lyrica to the list of medication I currently take. Has anyone else seen a change in their skin after taking Lyrica?

    1. I too am having the same results. I am only taking lyrica and have been on it for two months. At first i thought the break outs were from stress and pain. But it got worse and worse the longer i am taking lyrica. Also it does not seem to matter how well i am taking care of my face it does not help. I was virtually acne free before lyrica. Now im a pre-teen hitting puberty in a bad way. It is bad. I hope things get better for you.

      1. I was prescribed lyrica for the RSD in my wrist and for the fibromyalgia.I’ve been on it for over a month and started to notice bad acne. I also thought it was from stress because I have been out of work for 2 months I was supposed to have a simple carpel tunneI surgery that went wrong. I started noticing the acne on my face then on my back even on my BUTT and even on my legs its pretty bad I literally cry just looking at it just absolutely HORRID! I’ve been trying to use all kinds of products on them but haven’t had much success and getting rid of it I hope someone can figure something out soon

        1. AT LAST!!! My horrid breakouts were covering my back AND on my KNEES!! I had never experienced acne until then (in my 40’s).

          I know, now, that I’m not crazy, my doctors way back when weren’t crazy and that I should know that I’m not alone if these breakouts return.

          Thank you – need to read the remainder of these messages.

        2. Use a stridex pad during the day at least twice & then use a face wash that’s specifically for acne ..For me it didn’t clear it up 100% But id say 95 to 98% . Good luck & Hope to hear that this remedy helped you as it has helped me!!

  2. I know it has been a while since you posted this, but I just found it. I am so glad that I am not the only person that has noticed this. I thought it was my imagination or something for a while. I swear my face started breaking out almost immediately after starting Lyrica. I have just quit taking it as it had more negative side effects than it did helpful effects. I am curious to see how long it takes for my face to clear up.

    1. I am having this problem as well, and I hope this helps both of you….I was fine on the Lyrica without breakouts as long as I was on PREDNISONE. Two months ago, I was weaned off the steroid, but left on the Lyrica, and I developed what I first thought were hives on my face and back. They itched and were driving me crazy so I concluded I was having an allergic reaction…..the fix….PREDNISONE…..it cleared up with a shot, but a few weeks later, it was back….I put myself back on the PREDNISONE, and it cleared up in a few days…I hope this helps both of you.

      Tashia

  3. I am so glad I’m not the only one! I’ve been on Lyrica for 8 months now while I await spine surgery. I’m 27 with great skin but I’ve noticed significant and persistant breakouts on my face, chest and back. Glad to know I’m not alone but crappy as I will be on this stuff for a while!!

  4. Hi! I was very intrigued by the fact that my face broke out so horribly while taking Lyrica. I was on several medications at first, so I wasn’t sure which one it was. When I weaned off of all but Lyrica, my face did not clear up one bit. I am 24, so I know many would debate that as a factor; however, acne has NEVER been a problem. Especially not the severe type I was experiencing- deep, painful, large pustules (sorry to be graphic). Anyways, I tried several products over the years (4 years), and the ONLY product that cleared up my face entirely is Proactiv. It took about 3 months to really notice, and now, it’s been 10 months, and I have such a clear face again! I was really getting sick of it… The acne really plays on your psyche. (as if we don’t have enough problems!). I hope this helps!

  5. I also have fibromyalgia and I have been taking lyrica for about a month now. As soon as I started the lyrica my face has been getting acne! Before the Lyrica I did not have an acne problem. I am 48 years old, so age is not a factor regarding the acne. The lyrica has dramatically help my fibro symptoms….the only negative thing is the acne.

  6. HELLO, I TOO HAVE BEEN ON LYRICA FOR ABOUT6MONTHS NOW FOR MY FIBROMYALGIA. I DIDN’T NOTICE THE BREAKOUTS UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH INTO TAKING IT. IT SPREAD ALL OVER MY FACE, NECK, CHEST AND BACK. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON. PRIOR TO TAKING LYRICA I HAD N ACNE PROBLEMS @ ALL. IT GOT TO THE POINT TO WHERE I TOLD MY HUSBAND I DIDN’T EVEN WANT TO LEAVE THE HOUSE. SO MY MOTHER IS FROM PANAMA AND BACK WE USED FRESH ALOE PLANT TO CURE MANY THINGS. SHE TOLD ME ABOUT 3WKS AGO TO USE THE ALOE ON MY FACE, LEAVE IT ON FOR 15MIN. THEN RINSE IT OFF. ONLY USE IT @ NIGHT. SO I STARTED IT TONIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME, YES IT DOES BURN A BIT AND ITCH SOME, BUT AS I REMEMBER BACK HOME THAT IT REALLY DOES WORK. SO I WILL POST AGAIN IN A FEW DAYS TO GIVE YOU ALL MY RESULTS.

    HAVE A BLESSED ONE AND GOOD LUCK, I FEEL YOUR PAIN…

  7. Soooo glad I found this thread! I have suspected for a while now that the horrible breakouts leading to scaly skin and irritated acne were caused by the Lyrica. I started Lyrica about 3-4 months ago and have had acne on my face for that entire time. Nothing clears it up for me, I have tried scrubs, cleansers, toners, moisturizers ointments, and NOTHING helps. I have not tried Proactive because it is expensive and really doesn’t have any ingredients different from the other cleansers. toners and moisturizers I’ve tried. My breakouts are largely around my chin, up and around my mouth, and around my nose and forehead, so essentially all of my lower face an a s few places on my upper face. Prior to taking Lyrica I had the occasional spot and blemish that would normally clear up in a week-2weeks. I’ve had the acne I have no for 3-4 months in the exact same spots, and none of it is clearing up and parts of my chin are starting to grow scaly.

    My doctor doesn’t even see it as a problem she just says “Don’t pick at it”. I don’t but it has started to hurt and it’s itchy and now I’ve noticed parts of my skin are scaling, and it’s really a downer on my self esteem. I had decided for other reasons (severe mood shifts, trouble focusing/driving) to come off the lyrica due to the fact it’s not doing anything for my fibromyalgia pain (even though I am only on 50mg once per day), and the side effects are just not worth it. If I stop taking the Lyrica and my face clears up, I will have to remember to post here again.

    With so many of us with this side effect is really should be included as an official side effect for the drug.

  8. glad i found this, Ive been on lyrica 2 months; and now i hace horrible back acne! on the face is on a lesser degree but my back and bum have had big red bumps the size of dimes . i have never had this before and this is the only medication im on for my fibro. i really want to wean out, although it does work for the FM pain

  9. I’m 31 yrs old and have been taking Lyrica for several weeks now. I’ve had problems with acne before, but they Lyrica has DEFINITELY cause my acne problems to be worse! The Lyrica is deifinitely making a difference in my pain (Chiari Malformation – surgery 1/10, Syringomyelia) and the acne seems to be my only side effect….which, of course, is a major confidence buster. Take the good with the bad, I guess.

  10. This thread is great to find for me. I am 48 years old and have not had an acne problem since my early 20’s. My doctor prescribed me Lyrica for some nerve damage to my wrist to help with the healing.
    While the Lyrica did help with the healing, I noticed that I was starting to have acne break out on my forehead. I have since stopped taking the drug about 4 weeks ago but my acne is still a problem even using the scrubs and other cleansers.
    The acne has started to lessen but I hope it stops completely soon.

  11. I have weaned off the Lyrica in the past month and a half. i was on 75 mg/day for 2 1/2 months. I brokeout in things that looked almost like blisters all over my face right away when i started taking Lyrica. then after a month they went away. The Lyrica sent me into a drug induced Psychosis (look up some of the more serious side effects, scary stuff!) where I was paranoid, angry, huge amnesia problems so we decided it was best to wean me, well I havee been off, like I said for a month and a half and as it is exiting my system the acne has come back all over my back, face, and neck. Hope these go away soon!!!

  12. Hi I’ve been reading your posts I’ve just started on Lyrica. I have since got terrible back acne, and am off to see my gp this afternoon.
    Did this stop/ clear up for anyone.?
    I don’t want to stop taking this drug, it has really helped me.?

  13. I am 25 years-old, and I began taking Lyrica a couple of weeks ago. I am taking the medication in an attempt to help treat my occipital neuralgia, along with a host of other medications. I have been on all of my other medications for over six months so when I began having trouble with acne, I was sure it had to be a result of the Lyrica. It helps to know I am not the only person with this issue, and I agree that is should be better documented. I am going to give the Lyrica a chance despite this problem because this is my last option before major surgery at the base of my head. Good luck to all!!!

  14. I have very mild acne but can get get severe if something triggers it. Like 4 months ago I started using creatine (energy supplement) and my face exploded with acne, I stopped and after 2 weeks the breakout stopped.

    Anyway I got shingles around a month ago and the doctor prescribed me Lyrica 1 week into my treatment (I was taking another pill before but for the entire week no breakouts). Immediately the following day I got 3 tiny spots on my cheek after my first dosage of Lyrica. After that it was acne frenzy, I’m 90% sure it was caused by Lyrica as I watch my diet carefully. I stopped now as my treatment is over but even now (10 days since I stopped) I’m getting breakouts, which makes me think something else might be bothering my acne but then again my diet & lifestyle remains the same. I will post again if the breakout stops.

  15. Well I guess I found my answer. I as well broke out all over my face I’ve spent so much money in different treatments for my face. Nothing is working:( this is just addin to the stress. What can I do to get rid of the acne??? Jaime

  16. I have fibromyalgia and I stared to take Lyrica for it, my face is breaking out I don’t know if I can through this again. Before I had very bad acne the kind that is very big painful and leave scars ,I had to do a treatment with Accutane to get rid of it. I’m going to see my dermatologist again, hopefully he can find a solution, otherwise I don’t know what I will do
    If he finds a solution I will post it.
    Is anyone noticing that the acne goes away after a while of taking Lyrica?

    1. Yes! I’m the same as you! I had really terrible acne and I was able to get rid of it, but not after a long and tedious process. I’m finding that it’s like I have horrible acne again and I’ve only been on lyrica for 1 week!! It scares me to think what my acne will be like in a month! Have you found a solution?

  17. Lyrica affects chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain that send pain signals across the nervous system.   A substance CAN act as a neurotransmitter in one region of the brain while serving as a HORMONE elsewhere.  Anything that can affect your hormones can cause acne!  And, as many of us know, acne is almost always hormonal!

    Lyrica and other nerve medications (some that are also medically used as antidepressents) gave me severe acne.  I suffer from hormonal acne.  Birth control, steriods for inflamation, and even the elevated cortisol levels caused by stress make me breakout so it was no surprise to me when Lyrica did as well.

  18. Yes!!! I’m having server break outs and I’ve only been on lyrica for a week!! My skin was reflectively okay before this!, what should I do? Get off it? The acne is hurting my skin because of the sensitivity related to my fibromyalgia. I have already been down a horrible acne route and it’s not all better… Well it was until now! I really don’t wont to go through that again!

  19. Hello I haben using lyrica for about 8 months and notice this pimples started on my forehead then my back then my chin and now my forehead again I have neuropathy do u know any alternative for lyrica?

  20. I have been taking Lyrica for 2 years to treat neuropathy. I was diagnosed with rosacea years ago but had gone years without a breakout. I broke out about the same time I started taking Lyrica. I have been on all kinds of meds since then. It will clear up for a few days then break out again. I noticed the sideffects on a Lyrica commercial a couple of weeks ago. I was taking 100mg in the morning and before bed. I discontinued taking it in the morning but still take one before bed. The pain and burning is so bad in my feet and legs I don’t know if I can leave it off. But I to feel like I don’t want to leave my house my face looks so bad.

  21. My PA prescribed Lyrics very low dose because I have trouble tolerating meds. As I take a higher dose my face is breaking out more then I was a teenager. Sorry but glad to know others are having same problem. I was going to talk to my PA because it was causing more to get lightheaded and hot flashy.

  22. I’m 21 and taking lyrics due to severe nerve pain.
    I suffer bad acne, I’ve tried medications and everything else but it won’t go?
    Do you all know of anything good to help with acne? Or another good nerve pain medication? I might stop Lyrica..

  23. I am 27 I haven’t been taking lyrica for very long a few months I’m on almost 400g a day and still adding as I suffer with fibromyalgia, I always had a clear face until now 🙁 I get spots on my face and neck , chest I hate it Iv been wondering if it was the tablets as apart from stress there is no other explanation . I’m glad I found these coments as now it obviously is clear now that lyrica is the cause.

  24. I am also glad to find this page. I am 47 and have not suffered from much acne for years, especially since going dairy free for a while. Started on only a small dose of 200 at night, but doc suggested I could take 300 3x a day. As I increased my dose, my face all around my mouth and chin is a mess. I have 7 zits all at once. They are big and painful. I struggled with severe acne in my 20’s. i really do not want to go through this again. I’m going to speak with my doc and a friend who is a naturapath to get advice.

  25. Hi everyone….I have been taking Pregabalin for nerve pain and within 15 days of medication I have experienced severe breakouts on my cheeks and chin. Prior to this I had only occasional issues with my skin. If possible do report this as a side effect on the company contact so that the safety profile of the medicine is reviewed.

  26. I have been on Lyrica for 3 months now. I noticed some breakouts-acne on by back and chest, just few zits, then few on my neck, then on my cheeks. I could not think of anything having acne since I had beautiful and clear skin. I asked my orthopedic if breakouts are related to Lyrica and he said he have never heard of it. Took his answer for granted and started to eliminate product into my diet. Well, two weeks later my entire face broke out -in hives, blisters, so painful and itchy. I realize I am missing something… I finally found this thread…no joke. I do not event want to leave house- look like I have a crocodile skin. I think I rather have horrible back and leg pain than having the pain and psychological down effect from the breakouts. My friend and co-workers and family keep asking me what had happen to my skin? So…why this is not listed as side effect? Lyrica should be sued for this. I noticed that breakouts get worse if I eat bread or any wheat products. I eliminated it them form my diet, change my detergents and personal care products- perfume and dye free. It has gotten better, still not total relief so I scheduled an appointment with dermatologist. Cannot wait to have my clear skin back.

    1. I agree the makers of Lyrica should be sued for this. Wonder if we could get a lawyer that would take this on and file a class action??

  27. I need to read all of the messages here, but I’m in sort of a bind and, hopefully, someone may be able to help.

    I’ve been treated for diabetic neuropathy for almost 16 years. The pain has been treated for 13 years with morphine sulfate but with the crackdown on opioids I began seeing a pain management doctor again for the first time in 13 years.

    I think that she’s right about my diagnosis – nerve pain (for the most part) so I’ll be coming off the morphine slowly and my main pain med will eventually be exclusively Lyrica.

    My only concern is that I tried Lyrica 14 years ago and I broke out into giant pimples that covered my back and (this was weird) on my knees. My doctors, at that time, took me off Lyrica, saying that I was having an allergic reaction to it. Since that time, I have always listed Lyrica as an allergic med.

    When she first talked to me about Lyrica, I told of my previous reaction and she that she had never heard of it causing any sort of acne with Lyrica and that I was probably having a problem with something else.

    I haven’t started taking it yet, but I’ll begin this morning. I’m to take one 75mg twice daily for 7 days, and one three times daily thereafter.

    Has anyone experienced this kind of reaction? I’m talking large pus and blood pimples that would cover my shirts… really grotesque!

  28. I have had horrible breakouts since starting Lyrica and saw this post. Can any of you tell me how long it took for the acne to go away after stopping Lyrica?

  29. I’ve been on lyrica for 7 months now and I am a 42 yr old woman. The acne started with one or two spots but periodically got worse over the months….. I now have holes from them….. underneath my nose started as a small spot and has more unless taken over leaving me with a constant sore nose….. I have tried all sort of medications but nothing works…..I have holes on my back chest and neck and if I try and pop one there is never anything inside them….. after seeing this post today I will be seeing my doctor as now I definately know it’s the lyrica as I had clear skin before taking it!!!

  30. I am 28 years old and was on lyrica 300 mg each night for about a year and a half. I always had a slight acne problem but nothing I’d really really complain about. I just recently got off the lyrica(withdrawal is horrible, I recommend weaning of you can!) Within the last month. The last of my cystic acne and what I call mountains on my face are almost healed and have not had any more appear since. I never even thought about it being caused by the lyrica. I am on many meds being diabetic and having major spinal cord injury and major pain I guess I wouldn’t have known which medicine to blame. I’m hoping the ance stays gone and that I can deal with the pain and not be on the lyrica anymore!

    1. Hang in there and good blessings too you! I suffer also with diabetes and old injuries. Im thinking of weaning off of the Lyrica because of the horrible breakouts.

  31. I have had the same experience as above.

    I am 22 and was put on Lyrica 4 months ago for pain associated with Marfan Syndrome, I was covered in black heads, all around my hair line and forhead and ears – large black heads I might add. I had small pimples all over my face and massive mountains all over my back.

    I’ve stopped taking the drug 1 week ago and can already tell that my skin is clearing.

  32. I am 55 yrs old and was put on Lyrica for Fibromyalgia. My face is so broken out and my arms are scarred from my puppy. Little puppy teethmarks that just won’t heal. I’m going to stop taking it. I’m glad I found this post!!

  33. I just found this thread and wanted to comment for other people reading this to answer some of the questions. I started Lyrica 75mg and within a few days got this deep painful cystic acne. It was horrible, I always had clear skin and never had an issue with acne like this. It wasn’t just a few pimples, my face was covered and they were huge and so so painful. Went away for a holiday and forgot to get a new prescription before I went. I came home after a few weeks without taking it and my skin had cleared up. Thought it must have been because of the holiday since I was relaxed and wasn’t stressed out. Came back and got another prescription and almost immediately it came back. Tried it several times going on and off the medication and it was definitely the Lyrica causing the acne. Without it my skin is now great and every single time I started it again I got this horrible painful acne. It was so bad I didn’t even want to leave the house and people would say to me “what happened to your face?!”. Not nice. My doctor wouldn’t believe it was the Lyrica and kept saying it must be something else but I know it was. Without fail every time I started taking it I got acne and then as soon as I stopped my skin cleared up in a few weeks.

  34. In my case 75 mg twice a day after shingles on my face
    Acne began at forehead and moved to scalp
    I am 54 and not had acne since my teens and never on my scalp
    My doctor said the shingles could have caused problems with the hormone regulation
    But I am wondering if it is the lyrics
    The painful scalp pimples keep coming back

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