A new study has found a link between the popular acne drug Roaccutane and depressive behavior. Even though the study was conducted on mice, researchers say the findings could have implications for humans.
Roaccutane belongs to a class of drugs known as retinoids, which have been linked to birth defects, Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. More than 13 million patients worldwide—usually teenagers with severe acne—have used Roaccutane.
Since its introduction in 1982, Roaccutane has been accused of causing depression and suicide in some patients. A British regulatory agency has received almost 1,600 reports of adverse events, including 25 suicides, associated with the drug this month alone.
Roaccutane Study
Researchers at the University of Bath and the University of Texas, Austin, recently examined the effects of Roaccutane in adolescent mice. Over a six-week period, the researchers found that the mice were significantly less active, which was interpreted as a sign of depression.
“Establishing a link between the active molecules within the drug and a change in depression-related behavior, albeit in mice, is an important step forward in our understanding of the effects of this drug in the wider context of brain function,” said researcher Dr. Sarah Bailey.
Roche, the manufacturer of Roaccutane, already includes a warning on the drug’s label, informing patients of the increased risk of depression. However, the company attributes the risk of depression to severe acne and its impact on mood and self-esteem.
The current study, which is the first to establish a solid scientific link, is published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology .
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