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Negative Side-Effects of Accutane

by Cory Evans

Accutane is a member of the drug type known as retinoids, which have been shown to affect the way the body reads genes. Use of the drug while pregnant is known to harm fetuses and reduce the amount of brain cells that they produce. This is why cautions are taken to ensure that female who are pregnant or who can become pregnant do not take the drug. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that brain-cell generation may be equally important in adolescents and adults. Scientists at the University of Baths and the University of Texas in Austin suggest Accutane can also interfere with the body's production of the mood hormone serotonin.

While evidence from the more than 13 million consumers of Accutane worldwide shows that just 5 to 10 percent experience from side effects, retinoids have also been implied in connections to Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, so doctors are eager to know how the drug works.

Depression Linked to Acne Treatment

Acne treatment with the medication isotretinoin (Accutane) has been involved in an increase in feelings of depression in adolescent users, and while the link has never been proven, researchers have gathered evidence through an animal study.

Although scientist Dr. Sarah Bailey knew that it is not possible to ask a mouse if it is depressed, its behaviour can be analyzed and modeled through two tests. The first includes causing the young mice to experience stress by forcing it to swim, while the other one induces stress by hanging the mice by its tail.

Acne Cure Tested for Side Effects

Normally, a mouse will swim, climb and struggle, and only periodically stop in a phase of resignation. A depressed mouse will stay in its resigned state longer than one that is healthy. The mice given human-equivalent doses of Accutane used to show increased depression-related behavior.

Accutane producer Roche claims, "While no causal relationship has been demonstrated between Accutane and either depression or suicide, we are permanently monitoring all available safety databases on Accutane worldwide." However, the World Health Organization has confirmed 720 cases of psychiatric complications associated to the administration of Accutane, including 84 suicides and suicide attempts.

The argument that isotretinoin promoted depression and suicide has won a few lawsuits, and is partially responsible for the severe control of the drug, especially in the US. Several case studies of depression, suicidal tendencies, suicide attempt, and suicide in patients treated with the acne skin care isotretinoin have been reported to the U.S. FDA Adverse Events Reporting System, with 431 incidences documented between 1982 and May 2001 - of these 37 patients had committed suicide.

Idiosyncratic Effects From Acne Skin Care

Studies have shown that patients with acne, the population group eligible to receive isotretinoin therapy, have an elevated chance of clinical depression compared with the general population. Isotretinoin related depression is "an idiosyncratic side effect." Often anxiety can bring on acne and depression, creating more anxiety. Also, treatment of severe acne using isotretinoin has been shown to minimize anxiety and depression.

One study utilising positron emission tomography (PET) demonstrated functional brain imaging variations in patients using isotretinoin, however the clinical relevance of this finding is unclear.

Acne can now be easily removed thanks to a natural skin care solution that embodies one the best healing ingredients that Mother Nature can offer. The biological ingredients cure acne without side effects, and heal your skin in an easy way.

Published March 6th, 2008

Filed in Teen

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