Remicade & Acne

Have you experienced oily skin, acne, or other skin related side effects from your Remicade prescription? If so, please tell us about them in the comments section.

23 Replies to “Remicade & Acne”

  1. YES! I have never had acne, then when I started Remi in Oct ’10, I have been bombarded with acne. Hairline, jawline and cheeks! Nothing seems to help. But, I will take the acne over the pain from Crohn’s.

    1. I have the acne too. Same places. Hairline, jawline, chest. Never had it before and my RA is not better.

  2. YES! According to the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS), acne or an acneform rash is rare but can occur with Remicade! My acne started about one year after remicade infusions, I am still on them, and my acne is still active, crohn’s quite quiet ! as we all say we will put up with acne versus putting up wtih crohn’s! HOWEVER – this acne can hurt, leaves scars, pits, dark freckle spots, scabs, can itch when pimples come up, can hurt like a hive when they pop up, do not squeeze as they are not like a normal squeezable zit – they will only get worse, harder, etc. IF you leave them alone, gentle washing only, they do dry up – but mine are almost welt like and leave a bump for days – if I squeeze they bleed, crack get sore…my face, behind ears and under jawline, down one side of arm (i switch both arms for infusions) and all over back – really bad, looks bad, feels bad, but I still feel way better on remicade than not – use makeup to cover up – or ignore and don’t look at self 🙂 – DO NOT LET DOCTORS TELL YOU IT IS NOT REMICADE – IT IS REMICADE – it is in nurses drug books, CPS, (in the US any dr or hospital drug reference book) they all say it!!!!!! can cause acne,,,even a pharmacist will tell you this – it can also cause depression too……

  3. Thanks Heather! I try not pick them, as they do hurt and turn red regardless. Fortunately, mine are only on the face/neck area. I also went through a bought of anxiety which I blamed on the Remicade, but that is under control with Paxil, as are my hot flashes **smirk**.

  4. Started Remicade infusions about 17 weeks ago. I have noticed that I have acne more and more. It is along my hair line, jaw line and back of neck and on chest.Never had acne this bad before. I also noticed that my skin is more oily, and hair gets oily. I am trying to deal with it because the treatment is working wonders for my ulcerative colitis.

  5. I’ve been on Remecade now for over a year, I had acne pretty bad before i was diagnosed with Crohns. I was on prednisone for a long time, which we all know makes having acne a horrible experience. However, when i started taking Remecade, I was given a script for clindamycin and Tazorac, both seems to keep my acne under control very very well. My breakouts are rare now and has been clearer than any point in my recent history of having acne(20 years). I have noticed that if i do get a blemish or cyst, they are occasional and it clears up almost immediately after getting a infusion (but they will leave a bad scar. Thank god for MAC cosmetics

  6. I started remicade infusions 1 week ago for my UC. I was on 40 mg of prednisone before that and I have never had acne in my life even when I was taking the prednisone. The day after my first infusion I woke up with a horrible caugh, a rash on my neck, a few bruises on my legs and arms and acne covering my cheeks and forehead :-(. My doctor prescribed two different topical medications niether of which have worked.

  7. My son started remicade 3 years ago as nothing else works for his UC, his acne keeps getting worse and covers his entire body now, he has lost all confidence, he has tried everything I get rid of. If anyone has recommendations would love to hear them.

  8. I started remicade 6 months ago, and I started to develop acne 6 weeks ago and my Dr said it will clear as soon as I go off prednisone which I’m off for 2 weeks already and the acne is getting worse so no matter what the Dr says I know good and well that it’s from remicade

  9. I have been on remicade for a few months now. First was on prednisone for a few weeks. Thought the acne was from the steroids but then it didn’t clear up after I stopped taking them. I am ready to pull my hair out! I have it all over my face, forehead and neck. I am 36 have a very professional job. I know I shouldn’t be so vain but it is embarrassing. I already look young for my age and I am feeling like other professionals don’t take me as seriously because I look like a teenage girl going through puberty!

  10. I started remicaid in March of this year. My dosages started on March 23rd, I than had another dosage 2 weeks after than, than 4 weeks after than and am now on an 8 week cycle. Originally my body tried to attack the medicine and it caused my small intestine to swell more so my doctor put me on prednisone to help reduce the inflammation. I was on prednisone for 6 weeks at which time I got horrible acne on my chest and back. After the 6 weeks of prednisone my chest acne went away but I still had spots of acne on my back. Than 2 weeks after prednisone I started getting the same type of acne on my jawline and side of my right cheek. It is now starting to spread over to the left side of my face. It starts off as little bumps that never form into a white head. Than they get really red and hurt. When I wake up in the morning they are smaller but than when I was my face and have to put makeup on they get redder and hurt. Its a vicious cycle and I don’t know what to do.

  11. I started remicade in January 2016 and have had acne on my jawline and cheeks really bad since. It’s almost like a rash. It itches but they aren’t pimples that can be popped. They dry up then new ones appear. My GI Doctor dismisses every side effect I say I have with the remicade so I haven’t mentioned to her the acne but I know it’s the remicade because I’ve always had really nice smooth skin and now I’m a bumpy red mess.

  12. I’ve only had two infusions so far, and only a couple days ago my chest and arms have erupted in acne. I’ve never had acne like this before! I’m trying zinc oxide diaper rash cream to a if it will help to clear up the acne.

  13. I thought it was just me. Started getting hard acne in my hair and back after I started remicade. I hope it doesn’t get worse. They are very hard pimples, and I am way past acne age

  14. I’ve been on remicade for over a year. I have always had flawless skin. I’m now 26. I find that after each infusion my face gets so bad especially around my mouth, under my nose and chin. I get dark red patches which glow like the sun. My face is constantly dry and flaking and doesn’t respond to moisturizer – it only makes my face more oily. I permanently have zits. As soon as one goes away another 2 show up. I get cracked open sores on either side of my mouth which means every time I open my mouth to eat they break open again and can’t heal properly (I am human and require an open mouth to eat). I go through 150ml of moisturizer a week which I keep with me at all times. All of this is stressful, annoying, frustrating and sometimes rather gross. I often avoid looking at my reflection. The added stress only makes it worse. The acne tends to start going away and my face clears up about 1 – 2 weeks before I’m due for my next infusion. I had an infusion 3 days ago at which time my face was perfect. My skin was clear. Now today I have a massive bump forming on my chin and to zits starting to form. I’m sick of this.

  15. I have just had my 3rd infusion and have found my skin has been terrible for a few weeks now. I’ve never had any issues with acne before, so assume it is due to this new medication

  16. I am on Remicade every 8 weeks. No steroid with it. Crohns is under control, but once I began Remicade again, my skin and hair became much oilier. My acne is bad along the hairline and jaw. Also bad behind ears, back of neck and upper back. Also recently noticed more acne on the inner thighs. Going to doc in a week, so we will see what ge says. All I know is it is a definite connection to Remicade.

  17. Yes Remicade definitely cause acne for me as well. I have severe UC, the pain is under control but this acne is out of control. Started the remicade treatment Dec 2017 and now I have cystic acne on my cheeks, never had acne in my life before this. I’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work. I really think this makes u depressed as well…smh!!! Honestly the pain is way better and I don’t feel as if I am dying anymore. I just wish there was another way. I was also on prednisone and that didn’t work for my inflammation. The only thing that got th UC under control is the remicade and I’m scared to get off because I don’t want to be sick again.

  18. Same here, Started Remicade, and now my entire forehead, my temples, my cheeks, my back and shoulders, and my chest are covered in pimples. Nothing I apply to them has worked, I wash my face twice a day and apply expensive masks. The Remicade has been reducing my symptoms from UC and has kept my out of the hospital, but now the acne is so bad that its causing me to lose all confidence and making me depressed. My relationship recently ended, and because of the acne, I don’t even feel like bothering dating again because my face is just disgusting. Whats the point? I will be talking to my doctor about trying a different type of medication for my UC because people want to act like its no big deal, but it definitely does affect your career. Unfortunately, people judge these days, and first impressions are everything.

  19. I’m going crazy. I’ve never had acne this bad! I’m having pimples where none have been before. Had Fushion of Remicade August 20th, got dizzy and found myself on the ground that day too. I got three bumps in my right armpit. Had one by my mouth that made my lip swell up, looked like some one hit me in the mouth. Asking for help!
    Pam

  20. I’ve been on remicade for a horrible auto immune skin disease. But I’ve never had this severe of acne. you all explain it exactly how I’m thinking it! There red and scab like not actually acne. I’ve had dry skin always but its cracking and so dry its radiculous. Since remicade is for chrons it hasnt helped me one bit unfortunately so I’m worse all around and now my face looks like I took an axe pick to it. I’m trying all natrual acne soaps and cerve PM moisturizer. Hope it helps. Also being a women putting on makeup actually helps dry them out believe it or not. I hope you all find relief! Hopefully I can stop the infusions soon. I wish you all the best!

  21. I have been on remicade for 4 years now. I have never had a problem with acne. My doctor recently increased my dose of remicade and ever since I’ve had horrible cystic acne. The zits harden up and get so large i can’t even rest the side of my face on my pillow at night. My skin gets super oily but I get dry patches on my cheeks and chin. I’m starting to get scars and pits in my face. I’m so self conscious about it and have no idea what to do. Makeup only makes it worse. I have a dermatologist appointment but it isn’t for another 2 months. Who knows what my skin will look like by then. If anyone has any tips it would be greatly appreciated!

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