Question: I have had acne on my back, shoulders, and torso for a long time. I've been to multiple dermatologists and have tried numerous topical medications as well as oral antibiotics such as bactrim, doxycycline, monocycline, etc. Every time I use an oral antibiotic the acne gets better for a while and then goes back to how it was. This seems to happen regardless of how long I take it.

I have now had three separate dermatologists tell me that this is because of the Lithium that I take. They have said that Lithium can cause acne and make it much worse and harder to get rid of. This also lines up with experience as I got the body acne around the time I was diagnosed and started to take Lithium.

They have said that the only way it will really get better is if I can reduce my dose of Lithium or discontinue it altogether and find an alternative (such as increasing Lamotrigine dose for BP type 2 or another combination).

Is this true? Is this the only way I might be able to improve or get rid of the body acne?

Thanks for taking the time to answer.

Thanks for your answer.

Is there anything else I should know that might help me get rid of it? Is it even worth trying any additional topical acne medications or oral antibiotics? Or should I just focus on trying to reduce or discontinue the Lithium?