GoodRx Holdings Inc.

09/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/23/2024 14:40

From Spironolactone to Statins: 7 Medications That Experts Say Can Cause Dry Skin

Dry skinis a common issue that can happen formany reasons. Your age, environment, and lifestyle can all play a role. But it's easy to overlook another common cause of dry skin: your medications.

Here, we'll discuss seven types of medications known to have drying effects on the skin. We'll also review what you can do to help manage dry skin when it happens.

1. Retinoids

Retinoidsare medications related to vitamin A. They're used to treat acne and reduce the appearance of age-related skin issues. But they can also lead to dry, peeling skin.

Promotional Disclosureinfo_outlined

SPECIAL OFFER

Save on Salicylic Acid Shampoo

Keralyt®️ (salicylic acid) can help improve scaling and roughness for a smoother scalp. GoodRx has partnered with Summers Laboratories to offer this medication at an exclusive discount at select pharmacies.

Save today

This happens because retinoidsincrease the growthof new skin cells. As your body makes new skin cells, you shed the old ones. Retinoids also decrease how much oil your skin makes. These combined effects can make your skin dry and flaky, especially during the first few weeks of treatment.

Common retinoidsinclude:

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

Isotretinoin typically causes moresevere drynessthan topical products (ones you apply to your skin). But the dryness should resolve once you've finished your course of treatment.

Some topical retinoids aremore likelyto cause dryness than others. Talk to your healthcare team about the best option if dry skin is a concern for you. When you start using a topical retinoid, apply a small amount just one or two times a week. You can increase how often you apply it over time to give your skin a chance to adjust and to minimize dryness. Be sure to apply sunscreen and moisturizer daily as well.

2. Topical acne products

Certain topical acne medications can also cause dry skin and irritation where they're applied. Common examples includebenzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. They're both available OTC.

Both products come in a variety of formulations. Starting with a low-strength product may help reduce dry skin. Use topical acne products just once a day at first, to help your skin to adjust to the medication. It may also help to choose products that are fragrance- and dye-free or labeled as hypoallergenic. And as with retinoids, be sure to apply sunscreen and moisturizer daily while you're using them.

3. Diuretics ('water pills'), such as spironolactone

Diuretics("water pills") are medications that treathigh blood pressureas well as swelling caused by excess fluid in the body (edema). Common diuretics include:

Diuretics work byremoving fluidfrom the body through your urine. In some cases, this could make you less hydrated than usual, which can lead to dry skin. The risk of dry skinmay be higherif you're middle-aged or older and taking more than one medication with this side effect.

If dry skin is bothersome, a daily moisturizer can help. Staying hydrated can also make a difference - just be sure to talk to your healthcare team about the amount of fluids that's best for you. It can vary based on your medical history. Let your prescriber know if dry skin is severe or causing cracks or sores. They may need to make changes to your medication to help manage it.

4. Statins, such as Crestor and Lipitor

Statinstreat high cholesterol levels, but they may alsocontribute to skin problems.Atorvastatin(Lipitor) andlovastatinin particular have beenreported to causedry skin. There's also an association between statins and an increased risk ofeczema.

The effect of statins on skin is likely due to their effect on cholesterol. While cholesterol poses health risks when it builds up in your blood vessels, it also helpsyour skin retain moisture. When statins reduce cholesterol levels, your skin may become dryer than usual.

As with diuretics, dry skin from statins may be more likely if you're taking other medications that cause it and you're middle-aged or older. Keeping your skin moisturized and using gentle cleansers can help manage dry skin. But if it's severe or bothersome, be sure to let your prescriber know.

5. Some antidepressants

It isn't common, but some antidepressant medications may also cause dry skin. It's not clear why this happens, but there are several theories.

Some antidepressants haveanticholinergic effectsthat can lead to dry eyes, dry mouth, and dry skin. It's also possible thatincreased serotonin levelscan make your skin feel itchy, which is a common symptom of dry skin. And antidepressants can cause a wide variety of otherskin-related symptoms, from serious allergic reactions to acne, that can make your skin feel dry or irritated.

The antidepressants associated with causing dry skininclude:

Dry skin may go away on its own as your body adjusts to your medication. But if it becomes a problem while you're taking an antidepressant, talk to your healthcare team. Don't stop taking your medication on your own - this can cause unpleasantwithdrawal symptoms. Your prescriber can help youswitch antidepressantsorstop taking themsafely if needed.

6. Antihistamines

Antihistaminesare helpful for treating seasonal allergies, but they can also have a drying effect on the body. Dry eyes and dry mouth are more common signs of this, but dry skin can happen, too. Antihistamines can also block the production ofcertain skin oils, which can make your skin drier than usual.

First-generation antihistamines, such asdiphenhydramine(Benadryl), are more likely to have drying effects. But dry skin can happen with newer options, such ascetirizine(Zyrtec) andloratadine(Claritin), too. Dry skin may also be more likely if you take antihistamines long term.

7. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapytargets rapidly dividing cells to slow or stop the growth of cancer.Dry skinis acommon side effectof chemotherapy medications as well as radiation treatment. In some cases, it can be severe enough tointerrupt treatment.

You can helpprotect your skinduring cancer treatment by staying hydrated and using an unscented moisturizer twice a day. You should also wear sunscreen and avoid wind and extreme temperatures whenever possible. If dry skin becomes severe, be sure to let your oncology team know.

Do birth control pills cause dry skin?

Dry skin isn't acommon side effectof birth control pills. But estrogenreduces the amount of oilproduced by glands in your skin. This is whycombination birth control pillscan be used tohelp treat acne. But less oil can also lead to dry skin for some people.

Dry skin may go away once your body adjusts to taking birth control pills. But if it's bothersome, talk to your prescriber about a progesterone-only ornonhormonalbirth control option. These may be less likely to cause dry skin.

h2]:mt-0
[&h2]:mb-[12px]
[&h2]:font-header-m
sm:[&h2]:font-header-l
[&p:first-of-type]:mt-0
[&ul:first-of-type]:mt-0
[&ol:first-of-type]:mt-0
[&*:last-child]:mb-0
[&*:last-childli:last-child]:mb-0
" data-qa="ContentCalloutH2Title" The bottom line

If you develop dry, itchy skin, your medication may be to blame. Topical retinoids and acne medications are known to cause dry skin. But oral medications, such as diuretics, statins, and antihistamines, can cause dry skin, too. Dry skin can also happen with some antidepressants and chemotherapy medications.

Staying hydrated and moisturizing regularly can help prevent and manage dry skin. But if symptoms worsen or become bothersome, let your prescriber know. They can help determine the cause and adjust your medication if needed to help manage your symptoms.