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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Abby_L on March 29, 2006, at 8:35:44
Hi all-
To those who have been using Adderall/other stimulants, have you noticed a difference in your skin (acne, oiliness, etc)?
I'm wondering dopamine enhancers can increase androgens which may/may not contribute to acne, hirsutism, etc..Thanks in advance!
Posted by CareBear04 on March 29, 2006, at 9:14:05
In reply to Adderall and skin?, posted by Abby_L on March 29, 2006, at 8:35:44
Hi Abby,
I've used Adderall, RItalin, Provigil, Dexedrine, and Strattera, and I haven't ntoiced any of the changes in my skin that you described. Have you started Adderall and seen a change?
CB
Posted by fairywings on March 29, 2006, at 12:32:43
In reply to Re: Adderall and skin? » Abby_L, posted by CareBear04 on March 29, 2006, at 9:14:05
I haven't noticed anything with my skin either - what's up, how long have you been taking it?
fw
Posted by Racer on March 29, 2006, at 14:47:10
In reply to Re: Adderall and skin? » CareBear04, posted by fairywings on March 29, 2006, at 12:32:43
I've noticed a change, actually. I've only been on stimulants a few weeks, and have tried three in that time, so who knows which started it, but my face does feel more oily, and I have had a couple of days where I look nearly like a teenager -- lotsa spots...
Then again, I've also been wearing make up more often, at the request of my husband. And I've started using different skin care products. But I do think the Adderall is contributing to it, even if it's not causing it.
If it gets bad, though, I highly recommend Hibiclens to address it.
Posted by Abby_L on March 29, 2006, at 15:43:04
In reply to Re: Adderall and skin?, posted by Racer on March 29, 2006, at 14:47:10
No, i haven't started Adderall yet. My doc had suggested that i add Adderall to combat the fatigue/sluggishness i get from prozac. I'm also hoping that Adderall can offset any weight gain incurred by prozac.
I was just wondering if Adderall could contribute to androgenic activity. But it sounds like most of you don't think so, which is great..
Posted by med_empowered on March 29, 2006, at 15:55:35
In reply to Thanks all (Re: Adderall and skin?), posted by Abby_L on March 29, 2006, at 15:43:04
the only problem i had with adderall was that it seemed to make my eczema a bit worse (it flared up somewhat more often, and the flare ups were a little more severe), but that could have been because I didn't adequately hydrate myself to counter the effects of the amphetamine (dehydration seems to make my eczema worse, too). Basically I just used Elidel more often.
Posted by Abby_L on March 29, 2006, at 15:58:49
In reply to Re: Thanks all (Re: Adderall and skin?), posted by med_empowered on March 29, 2006, at 15:55:35
> the only problem i had with adderall was that it seemed to make my eczema a bit worse (it flared up somewhat more often, and the flare ups were a little more severe), but that could have been because I didn't adequately hydrate myself to counter the effects of the amphetamine (dehydration seems to make my eczema worse, too). Basically I just used Elidel more often.
I have eczema/occasional dermatitis too..so adderall dried you out??
Posted by utopizen on March 29, 2006, at 17:53:21
In reply to Thanks all (Re: Adderall and skin?), posted by Abby_L on March 29, 2006, at 15:43:04
>
> No, i haven't started Adderall yet. My doc had suggested that i add Adderall to combat the fatigue/sluggishness i get from prozac. I'm also hoping that Adderall can offset any weight gain incurred by prozac.
>I really don't think that's a decent excuse to use an amphetamine. Amphetamines are really not a good idea if you're suffering from depression, unless you're in remission.
They are known to aggravate existing depression.
I would think of trying some Provigil.
If this is something you experience more than just for while you adjust to the med, talk to your doc about exploring alternative meds, or doses, etc.
Also, keep in mind it may just be the depression making you sensitive to the Prozac's side-effects. Exercising, and talk-therapy, are important to follow.
Posted by med_empowered on March 29, 2006, at 18:14:29
In reply to Re: Thanks all (Re: Adderall and skin?), posted by utopizen on March 29, 2006, at 17:53:21
I tend to disagree with utopizen about using amphetamine...amphetamines are pretty well tolerated and can help with depression in some people, especially when you're dealing with lingering symptoms of depression like lethargy and drug-induced problems. Its kind of like using amphetamines in depression caused by poor physical health (ex: cancer patients) or to undo the fatigue caused by other drugs (example: giving amphetamines to people on high-dose pain killers).
As for my experience...yeah, it did dry my skin out a little. I was also stressed out for a period of time while on adderall, so that certainly didn't help matters any. I think if you keep adequately hydrated and treat outbreaks at the **first** sign of problems (I usually waited to use Elidel until I considered it particularly noticeable or bothersome), then it shouldn't be that big a deal.
Posted by Sarah T. on April 1, 2006, at 1:18:04
In reply to Adderall and skin?, posted by Abby_L on March 29, 2006, at 8:35:44
My skin has never been great. It has been oily all my life, but when I was on stimulants, it became LESS oily. The medicine that made my skin the worst it has ever been was Wellbutrin. I am convinced that Wellbutrin is androgenic. It is the one AD known to enhance sex drive, and if it doesn't enhance it, at least it doesn't impair it. That plus the severe acne and some increased hair makes me believe that Wellbutrin stimulates male hormones. This is just my impression. I haven't read anything about it, although I will look it up at some point.
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