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Medication Induced Acne
Acne symptoms can occasionally be caused by, or aggravated by, medications (drugs) such as oral steroids may cause steroid acne; Contraceptive agents: medroxyprogesterone injection (Depo-Provera) and oral contraceptives which reduce circulating sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), can aggravate acne in females, Testosterone, Anabolic steroids such as danazol, stanozolol can cause severe acne including acne conglobata and acne fulminans. Athletes and body-builders sometimes abuse anabolic steroids because they result in increased muscle bulk - severe acne is one of the undesirable results.

It is not known why some other medicines cause or aggravate acne; theories include effects on white blood cells and direct effects on the hair follicle. Medications known to aggravate acne include: Halogens (iodides, chlorides, bromides, halothane), Antiepileptics (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital), Antituberculous drugs (ethionamide, isoniazid, rifampicin), Antidepressants (lithium, amoxapine), Cyclosporin, B vitamins (B12, cyanocobalamin).