Plaquenil and acne

[meike]

Another thread on this topic. I just wanted to share my experiences with plaquenil induced acne (at least I think it is plaquenil induced). I've been on Plaquenil for 6 months, and started to develop acne in the first month, which gradually got worse.

Two weeks ago, I couldn't deal with the acne anymore. It's all over my face, in my neck, on my back, etc. My rheumy advised me to quit the plaquenil. I did so, but am worried that it makes me feel worse again (I have been feeling better while on plaquenil).

I'm on tetracycline now to treat the acne. The derm told me to use it for half a year to get the acne fully under control. I'm told to take 300 mg x2 daily during the first two months and then reduce the dosage.  In addition, I'm using a benzoyl-peroxide gel, which I hope I don't need for a long period, as it really dries out.

Are there experiences with tetracycline/lymecycline? Anything I should be careful about? And are there any experiences using plaquenil and tetracycline together (in case I start with Plaquenil again and want to keep the acne under control)?

Thanks so much for sharing.

[Sleepy In Seattle]

There's a great drug-interaction-checker on Drugs.com - I use it all the time. Generally, Plaquenil doesn't react with much.

I think Tetracycline is one of those that makes you more sensitive to the sun, so be careful.

Personally, I am a big fan of taking extra probiotics when I am on any kind of antibiotic, to keep my gut healthy. Just be sure to try and separate when you take them by a few hours (so they don't cancel each other out in your stomach).

I had acne problems for a while - dunno if it was the Plaq or the Mtx - but I adjusted my skin care and was able to get it under control - and actually now my skin looks better than ever  . I can't use the benzoyl peroxide stuff - it's way too harsh on my skin - but daily exfoliating and using retinol creams and some good moisturizers are working really well for me now. (My doc prescribed a Rx retinol but it was $216/month  - I said no thank you and went to Sephora - you can get good stuff a lot cheaper than $216!!!!!).