Acneiform drug eruptions—update on pathophysiology and culprit drugs

Paul Ulrich; Konstantin Drexler; Mark Berneburg; Bernadett Kurz; Dennis Niebel

doi:10.3389/fmed.2026.1769362

journal article Open Access Feb 23, 2026

Acneiform drug eruptions—update on pathophysiology and culprit drugs

Paul Ulrich Konstantin Drexler Mark Berneburg

Bernadett Kurz

Dennis Niebel

Frontiers in Medicine Vol. 13 · Frontiers Media SA

View at Publisher Save 10.3389/fmed.2026.1769362

Abstract

Acneiform adverse drug reactions (ADRs) appear within weeks to months after the initiation of a new medication. As opposed to acne vulgaris, they typically present monomorphic inflammatory lesions, may involve atypical, non-seborrheic body sites and may arise outside the usual age range of any acne subtype. A wide range of drugs can trigger the eruption of acneiform ADRs with targeted therapies used in oncology (e.g., epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors) carrying the highest risk. More recently, an increasing incidence of acneiform ADRs has been observed with the advent of januskinase inhibitors now being used in a wide range of inflammatory conditions. Many times, symptomatic treatment rather than discontinuation of the causative drug is feasible, particularly when the medication is essential for managing a serious underlying condition. Close cooperation between dermatologists and prescribing specialists is essential to manage cutaneous side effects enabling maintenance of the best available therapeutic regimen.

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Published: Feb 23, 2026
Vol/Issue: 13
License: View

Authors

P

Paul Ulrich

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Regensburg

K

Konstantin Drexler

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Regensburg

M

Mark Berneburg

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Regensburg

B

Bernadett Kurz

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Regensburg

D

Dennis Niebel

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Regensburg; Heinz-Werner-Seifert-Institute for Dermatopathology KölnBonn

Cite This Article

Paul Ulrich, Konstantin Drexler, Mark Berneburg, et al. (2026). Acneiform drug eruptions—update on pathophysiology and culprit drugs. Frontiers in Medicine, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2026.1769362

Acneiform drug eruptions—update on pathophysiology and culprit drugs

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