As stated in an article published in the journal «Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology» in October 2001, pp 515-519, "Management of Quality Supervision Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received information on cases of depression and suicide in patients who were receiving treatment with «Accutane ».... From 1982 to May 2000 FDA received signals of 37 patients treated with «Accutane», who committed suicide, 110 patients were hospitalized because of depression, the emergence of suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide in 284 patients showed a depression, not required hospitalization. Total 431 cases described. Factors suggesting a possible link of the drug «Accutane» with depression include short-term relationship between drug intake and depression ... Among all the drugs included in the database at the FDA in June 2000, «Accutane» is located in the top ten drugs that cause depression and suicide attempts.
In contrast to the report, talk given at the 59th annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (American Academy of Dermatology) (March 27, 2001, Washington, DC) argued that "to date has been documented 12 cases of suicide in 8,000,000 patients taking isotretinoin. Half of these patients took related (other) medications. Some patients noted that depression abated when they stopped receiving isotretinoin, and resumed when they began again to take this drug. In the United States between 1991 and 1999 recorded 64 cases of suicide among people who at least once took isotretinoin: 30 cases occurred during treatment, 24 cases - a period of 6 months to 10 years after the end of the course and 10 cases of suicide were committed by patients with unknown status.
"These figures should be compared with thegeneral statistics of suicides in the United States. In general, there are approximately 30,000 suicides per year (ie an average of 11,4 cases per 100000 people). 80% of suicides - men. Suicide - a third of the most common causes of death in the age group 15 to 24 years (6000 year). So when it comes to patients who took isotretinoin, 64 cases should be compared with the expected number of suicides, which is more than 10 times higher (670). These data suggest that these patients the causes of suicide were related to factors not related to isotretinoin. Patients taking isotretinoin, the ratio of suicide is 1.8 cases per 100,000 people, which, as already mentioned, much less than the national average. In addition, patients taking isotretinoin, there was no deviation from the usual American statistics of suicide in terms of sex distribution, due to depression, background of mental disorders or lack of alarms, which are typical for young suicide bombers. "
Despite the ambiguity of the situation, the company «Hoffman-La Roche», producer of the drug «Accutane», decided to add a warning about a depressive effect in the application instructions located in each package of medication. The company also removed the advertising of the drug sentence, which stated that «Accutane» could weaken the "psychological trauma" and "emotional suffering" associated with pimples. A long instruction that accompanies each package of the drug «Accutane», contained a warning about depression, but it said nothing about the possibility of suicide and psychosis.
Of course, before you begin to start taking «Accutane», must weigh all the pros and cons. But this applies to any drug. If you or a young person for whom you are responsible, have depression, you need to take into account and discuss with your doctor the potential for strengthening them.
How to endure side effects from the drug «Accutane»?
How to tolerate the side effects during the drug «Accutane»? It is useful to prepare in advance. If you take «Accutane», do not expose the skin to sunlight! When you receive this medication skin becomes sensitive to sunlight, even when using sunscreen (use of sunscreen is essential). Any prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause severe redness and fever. Treat dry patches face moisturizer. If the nose is dry, regularly and frequently apply a thin layer of Vaseline on the skin on the nasal mucosa. This is a very good tool. Do not use the funds to care for skin that can cause irritation and dryness. Do not use a lump soap, cosmetics containing alpha-and beta gidrokisloty-hydroxy acid, exfoliation, hot water and a face mask. If you use tretinoin, drug «Differin», azelaic acid, or antibiotic is recommended to interrupt the time of their application, unless your doctor does not insist on the return. In order to reduce dryness in the eyes, you can use a drop of "artificial tears", but avoid drugs such as «Visine», which simply stops the blood flow and can cause even more dryness of the eyes. Headaches and body aches are easily removed ibuprofen. Drink a lot of water. If you have any concerns, immediately contact a doctor.
Keep track of your mood. If you have depressive feelings, aggressiveness, anger, or even fleeting thoughts of suicide, seek immediate medical attention. It is also important that the doctor saw the state of your blood. The level of cholesterol may soar to dangerous values. It is also necessary to monitor liver function. It is important to keep in close contact with a doctor during the whole period of treatment with «Accutane».
