Acne, isotretinoin and depression

doi:10.1136/dtb.2003.411076

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2003;41:76-78; doi:10.1136/dtb.2003.411076

Acne, isotretinoin and depression

Relevant BNF section: 13.6.2

At any one time, most 16-18-year-olds and up to half of adultshave acne.¹ In 60% of all teenagers, the condition will be sufficientlysevere for them to self-treat or seek medical advice.² Up tohalf of 12-20-year-olds with acne develop psychological or socialproblems.³ Oral isotretinoin, which is used for the treatmentof severe acne,⁴ might be expected to improve psychologicalfunctioning.^5,6 However, there have been suggestions that thedrug itself might cause depression and suicide.⁷ Here we considerthese concerns, and the implications for the use of isotretinoinwhen managing patients of all ages.