Scientists at the University of Bath, England, and the Unversity of Texas, USA, tested isotretinoin on mice and found a link with depression. The drug, which came onto the market over twenty years ago, has been linked to some suicides and depression in humans.

Isotretinoin is also sold under the brand names: Accytane, Roaccutane, Amnesteem, Claravis and Sotret.

The drug is usually used for teenagers with severe acne. It is very effective and has been used by over 13 million patients globally. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), UK, has received 25 reports of patients committing suicide while being treated with Accutane. It also received 1,588 reports of adverse events.

You can read about this study in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

This is the first study to confirm what was already suspected by many patients and health care professionals. There is no warning about a link with depression in the drug’s packaging.

In this study, adolescent mice were given Accutane for six weeks. The researchers observed their behaviour during this period. They noticed that the mice spent a lot more time motionless than they normally would when responding to lab assessment tests – a sign of depression. They did not detect any negative physical side-effects.

Head researcher, Dr. Sarah Bailey, said that further tests are needed to be completely sure their observations could be applied to humans while taking Isotretinoin.

Dr. Bailey added “However, establishing a link between the active molecules within the drug and a change in depression-related behaviour, albeit in mice, is an important step forward in our understanding of the effects of this drug in the wider context of brain function. To date, the only evidence for any link with patients has come from individual case reports and such patient data is complicated by the psychosocial effects of having severe acne. This laboratory evidence provides a useful model for future research into Accutane and understanding how this family of compounds affects the brain.”

The researchers said patients (mostly teenagers) should not suddenly stop taking the drug because of this study. Rather, they should report any signs of depression to their doctors. They also suggested parents be vigilant for any changes in their children’s mood.

Isotretinoin is a retinoid. This means it is a vitamin A-related compound. These compounds can undermine the development of the nervous system. They should never be taken by women who are pregnant.

The makers of Accutane, Roche, said this study is too small to link the same risk for humans.

Chronic Administration of 13-Cis-Retinoic Acid Increases Depression-Related Behavior in Mice
Kally C O’Reilly, Jason Shumake, F Gonzalez-Lima, Michelle A Lane, and Sarah J Bailey
Neuropsychopharmacology (2006) 31, 1919-1927. doi:10.1038/sj.npp.1300998; published online 4 January 2006
Click Here To View Abstract

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today