My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", you can stay signed in to WebMD.com on this computer for up to 2 weeks or until you sign out. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

Skin Problems & Treatments Health Center

Email a Friend

Print Article

Skin Problems & Treatments Health Center

Tools & Resources

Font Size

Medicines That Can Cause Blisters

Many prescription and nonprescription medicines, including some that you put directly on the skin, may cause blisters. A few examples are:

Antibiotics.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (for example, Advil or Motrin), naproxen (for example, Aleve), or piroxicam (for example, Feldene).
Medicines you put on your skin (topical medicines), such as Neosporin or benzocaine (for example, Anbesol, Hurricaine, or Orajel), and ethylenediamine, which is used in some topical medicines.
Seizure medicines.

If the blisters are only mildly annoying and other symptoms are not present, stopping the use of the medicine or ointment may be all that is needed. Call your doctor. He or she may be able to prescribe another medicine for you.

Recommended Related to Skin Problems & Treatments

Treatment of Actinic Keratosis

Some citations in the text of this section are followed by a level of evidence. The PDQ editorial boards use a formal ranking system to help the reader judge the strength of evidence linked to the reported results of a therapeutic strategy. (Refer to the PDQ summary on Levels of Evidence for more information.) Actinic keratoses commonly appear in areas of chronic sun exposure, such as the face and dorsa of the hands. Actinic cheilitis is a related condition that usually appears on the lower lips...

Read the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis article > >

Blisters that occur with other signs of illness (such as fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea), may mean a more serious problem, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Talk with your doctor if a medicine may have caused blisters and you have other signs of illness.

If you think your blisters may be caused by a medicine:

Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine to find our whether you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be needed.
If you are taking a medicine that was not prescribed by a doctor, stop taking it. Call your doctor if you feel you need to keep taking the medicine or if you need help to control your symptoms after you stop taking the medicine.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised	April 21, 2011

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 21, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.